Homebrew PCBs

;-) good luck ;-)

(sorry steve, couldn't shut it.. useless post i know)

On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 13:06:51 -0800, Richard Mustakos <rmustakos@...> 
wrote:

>   Brewers,
> I want to try using an inkjet to moisten a mix of Cu, Sn/Pb and flux
> powders to make them stick together and to a substrate.  Then I can dump
> or blow the remaining dry powders off and reflow the solder to hold the
> copper to the substrate.  I've been looking for powdered copper, solder
> and flux.  I've had some success with finding copper (10g/$, 0.5 kg
> min).  So far, no joy on powdered (dry) flux.  Powdered solder exists,
> and I have even seen references to flux coated solder (reduces
> oxidation), but so far, I have not found a company that sells powdered
> solder.  They only seem to produce it for use in solder paste.  Do any
> of you know of an electronics friendly, dry flux powder?  Water soluble
> is even better. I've found a number of flux powders, but they all seem
> to be for brazing.  One that I don't know what it's used for is Ammonium
> Chloride: UnitedNuclear.com says: "Ammonium Chloride is a common
> soldering flux used for joining metals together." Does anyone know if
> NH4Cl is suitable for electronics? If so, I can get 2 oz for $2 there.
> Any ideas on solder powder supplies?
> Do any of you live in Southern California?  I don't have a laser printer
> yet, and would like to try a couple of things.  I'm in the Thousand Oaks
> area.  Now that you know, please don't stalk me ;-)
> RM
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Bookmarks and files:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>

Do any
> of you know of an electronics friendly, dry flux powder?  Water soluble
> is even better. I've found a number of flux powders, but they all seem
> to be for brazing.  One that I don't know what it's used for is Ammonium
> Chloride: UnitedNuclear.com says: "Ammonium Chloride is a common
> soldering flux used for joining metals together." Does anyone know if
> NH4Cl is suitable for electronics? If so, I can get 2 oz for $2 there.
> Any ideas on solder powder supplies?
>

Amonnium Chloride is used for soldering copper tubing for plumbing. It is
super corrosive, and will destroy electronics in short order. Check out
Heraeus for powdered flux.

Ron

Brewers,
I want to try using an inkjet to moisten a mix of Cu, Sn/Pb and flux 
powders to make them stick together and to a substrate.  Then I can dump 
or blow the remaining dry powders off and reflow the solder to hold the 
copper to the substrate.  I've been looking for powdered copper, solder 
and flux.  I've had some success with finding copper (10g/$, 0.5 kg 
min).  So far, no joy on powdered (dry) flux.  Powdered solder exists, 
and I have even seen references to flux coated solder (reduces 
oxidation), but so far, I have not found a company that sells powdered 
solder.  They only seem to produce it for use in solder paste.  Do any 
of you know of an electronics friendly, dry flux powder?  Water soluble 
is even better. I've found a number of flux powders, but they all seem 
to be for brazing.  One that I don't know what it's used for is Ammonium 
Chloride: UnitedNuclear.com says: "Ammonium Chloride is a common 
soldering flux used for joining metals together." Does anyone know if 
NH4Cl is suitable for electronics? If so, I can get 2 oz for $2 there. 
Any ideas on solder powder supplies?
Do any of you live in Southern California?  I don't have a laser printer 
yet, and would like to try a couple of things.  I'm in the Thousand Oaks 
area.  Now that you know, please don't stalk me ;-)
RM