What do i got? I know I got a syringe of solder paste in the frig. It must be stored cold (not frozen ice cold), and has a 2 year shelf life if stored cold, less than 6 months if stored in room temp. Oh yeah, it's Kester EP256 Solder Paste, date of manufacture: 6/14.
I don't have have a "true" hot air station, but a hot air gun that can melt solder. I also solder with it with a regular iron. It has a higher shelf life if its not opened; there is a seal on on the end of the syringe, that is removed and then the needle tip put in.
It flows smoothly and melts easily. Great stuff. But it takes practice getting it to flow where you want. It has a lot of flux, so when soldering is done, you should wipe the board down with some acetone. And you do not need to use a lot of it, just a dab will do in many cases. If doing an IC's row of pins, just draw a line with it and give it heat. It will pool to the pins and then touch it with a hot solder braid and iron tip if pins are shorted. It just takes practice.
I don't have have a "true" hot air station, but a hot air gun that can melt solder. I also solder with it with a regular iron. It has a higher shelf life if its not opened; there is a seal on on the end of the syringe, that is removed and then the needle tip put in.
It flows smoothly and melts easily. Great stuff. But it takes practice getting it to flow where you want. It has a lot of flux, so when soldering is done, you should wipe the board down with some acetone. And you do not need to use a lot of it, just a dab will do in many cases. If doing an IC's row of pins, just draw a line with it and give it heat. It will pool to the pins and then touch it with a hot solder braid and iron tip if pins are shorted. It just takes practice.