Bah.. Flux ain't Flux

[Glassic]

I know I've had the iron shut down for a while but I've never had a problem before. I had the problem from the get go, so after exploring all avenues I gave up.

The flux is gel - I've never used it before - always had the 'slosh it on' runny stuff.
The solder had been lying about so broke out a fresh one. Brush applicator and tip wipe are new.
The iron had been lying about, so though the tip is good and still evenly tinned, I broke out the Weller 80w/new tip.
My work board is almost new, and working temp a comfy 73F.
So with an almost pristine environment l am at a loss as to why my soldering is looking like I'm not using flux at all. The store I bought it from is closed until next week.

 Wahh............... I'm so frustrated  Is this common with Gel?

[PiscesGlass]

Well I must admit that I may be doing something wrong with it also Y.  I broke out a new bottle of gel flux because the feedback I'd heard about it was very good.  I just didn't like it and I usually run my iron on the hot side.  It just didn't impress me, so I'm back to the tried and true, slop it on watery flux.   My frustration is now over.

De

[Bleedy Pokes]

I love using gel flux. My soldering seemed to improve when I starting using it rather than the runny blue stuff (no solder spattering due to too much flux). The brand I've been using is Classic 100 in a purple bottle.

Do you have any other flux in the house to try out a different kind to try to rule out the flux?

[Lou Ann]

is gel flux the same as paste flux?

my instructor had us use paste flux and I bought 2 tins of the stuff and absolutely hate it... did the same thing you are describing...

I only use it now if I am doing a small touchup and don't want liquid flux all over the place

LA

[Bleedy Pokes]

Gel flux is much thicker than the liquid blue flux, but definitely easier to use than paste (I like using paste flux mostly when soldering edges but it's also good for 3D type stuff because it stays in place - IMHO). Gel is runnier than white school glue, but thicker than regular liquid. Hmmm... maybe I'm the only one who prefers it! But I do like it a lot!

[JoanFrances]

I don't care for the stuff in the purple bottle either, however I do love the glaglar gel flux. 

[Audrey]

I have both a liquid and a paste.  I don't think I notice a difference in the soldering. The liquid of course goes on easier because it IS runnier. When I don't want it to run I use the paste. If the writing on the jar wasn't so small I would tell you what it is. The brand starts with a "P", then it says something like "Nokorode paste flux".

[Glassic]

I have some paste somewhere, both tins are verrrrry old! like 10+yrs. The usual stuff got contaminated, I left the top off.
I'm thinking of mixing lemon juice with the Gel, it's GlasPro [I don't think the store would sell junk] I'm also wondering about the fume extractor draught, the cooker range was on high.

[Wayne]

I know I've had the iron shut down for a while but I've never had a problem before. I had the problem from the get go, so after exploring all avenues I gave up.

The flux is gel - I've never used it before - always had the 'slosh it on' runny stuff.
The solder had been lying about so broke out a fresh one. Brush applicator and tip wipe are new.
The iron had been lying about, so though the tip is good and still evenly tinned, I broke out the Weller 80w/new tip.
My work board is almost new, and working temp a comfy 73F.
So with an almost pristine enviorment l am at a loss as to why my soldering is looking like I'm not using flux at all. The store I bought it from is closed until next week.

 Wahh............... I'm so frustrated   Is this common with Gel?

My experience has been when I looked into bad solder lines I created it was because of one or more reasons.
1.  The flux.....some are really healthy to work with and  work well if you work slowly but create problems if you work fast.  I used to check all the new fluxes on the market about every three years and never settled for any of them. 
2.  The soldering iron and tip.  A tinned tip allow you to fly through the solder lines and anything else slows you down.  Unless I am working with lead, I expect the flux to keep the tip clean.  For me that means the flux is a strong one. 
3.  The poor job is poor because of me.  Some days it happens and it is my job to notice it is bad work.

My goal is to apply the flux to an area and chase the foil lines with a hot iron and solder.  It is a goal to solder once and get it right.  Moving the iron at a pace that I can feed the solder to the tip usually creates the nicest job. 

my two cents....

[ct4mom]

I have used them all as well and I didnt like the gel at all. My instructor had us use paste as well and I still use it from time to time. I like it on small things and dip my solder in it for small areas and works great. I bought the stuff Audrey mentioned at a bargain hardware supply for 50 cents a jar( I stocked up). Other than that I use regular watery flux.

[Wayne]

Regular watery fluxes are not created equal!

[Glassic]

So it seems, but I've always got along with Novacan and Soldermate, now my day has gone to pot and experimenting with lemon juice will have to wait.

My goal is to apply the flux to an area and chase the foil lines with a hot iron and solder.  It is a goal to solder once and get it right.  Moving the iron at a pace that I can feed the solder to the tip usually creates the nicest job.

I hear you Wayne, I started off tinning some nuggets and pieces prior to working up an edge, that's when the problem became apparent, I've never really had problems 'rocking and rolling' the flow to build up the solder on an edge but this attempt was pathetic.
 

[Graham]

Glastar Gel for 90% - 50% because it works well and 50% because it doesn't stink like all the others.
Paste (does it even have a name in the little orange can) for lead joints, because it stays where it's put.

[Kev]

I've been using Canfield liquid flux for years. I've tried others like the gel, but don't like it, and continue with the liquid.

[Rebecca]

I use whatever is cheapest.  I have some paste, some gel, and some liquid.  I like the liquid best and the gel least.

Rebecca

[Vic Rothman]

I'd say as a general rule of thumb. If the flux says it is safe,easy to clean,and does not smell. Then it is probably the least effective flux. A flux needs to be strong enough to clean the metal that it intended for.  One of the best liquid flux's is simply called "tinners flude" It sold at hardware stores. It smells and is probably bad to inhale the fumes. But it works. Also it is my experience that the more zinc chloride in the flux the better

[Wayne]

I have used Sodermate 2 for years now. It is a zinc chloride based flux that always performs.  Denver flux seems to work as well too. 

[Kev]

I've never hear of either of them.

[Wayne]

Canfield makes Soldermate.  Denver I would not bother with but is sold thru Lincoln Distributors and probably Delphi.

[Kev]

LOL...Soldermate is what I have always used....I just remember the Canfield part...lol