#268

[@AnnaVannieuwenhuyse]

The reason the internal plunger for the syringe is separate from the rod, is for the same type of machine someone else mentioned in the comments below. It's for pneumatic dispensing machines, where air pressure is used to dispense. The rear throat of the syringe needs to be clear to provide a surface and space to seal against, whereas the lack of a rod lets the pneumatic system use more of the air volume as a cushion that makes changes in pressure more gradual (prevents accidents).

[@RalphBacon]

Always good to know the reasoning behind these design decisions! Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@stevex3976]

Great tip Ralph. Glad to see you back at it! We have been missing you. Hoping all is well.

[@RalphBacon]

Thanks, you too! I'm well, but crazy busy with "other stuff". But I have a few video ideas on the go now, so will try and squeeze them into my schedule 😮

[@bryan-nz]

I have the same jar of flux, and the same bag of syringes, and was wondering what to do next! So happy I found this video; thanks for the tip!

[@RalphBacon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@romiolover6852]

Hi, you can try to put your flux box in an oven at around 120°c to melt it then you can pour it in the syringes very easily.

[@RalphBacon]

Yes,. melting the flux has been suggested a lot, but I'm not so keen on liquid-like flux on my workbench.

[@mr.bianchirider8126]

After a particular event that shall not be mentioned, the ‘Boss’ in my house says nothing goes into the oven except food.

[@michaelmccarty4765]

This is such a great idea! Also, I couldn't help but be reminded of the Apollo docking procedures!

[@RalphBacon]

Houston (although I hear "Euston", a UK train station in London), we may have a problem!

[@gpTeacher]

2 mL syringes with large bore blunt end needles are also perfect for injecting Irish Cream Liquor into mini chocolate eclairs for Xmas parties. (Or when you're peckish in the workshop). My handy hint! Cheers Ralph! Great to see you back.

[@RalphBacon]

Now this is REALLY thinking outside the box and I will remember this for XMAS 2023, great suggestion!

[@gpTeacher]

And it goes without saying just injecting Irish cream directly into your mouth and bypassing the eclairs altogether.

[@MrTerrymiff]

@@RalphBacon Make sure you pick up the correct syringe. An eclair full of flux would be gross.😝

[@RalphBacon]

All good points. But if we bypass the eclair all together and just syringe in a mouthful of Irish Cream Liquor, I'll just use a glass!

[@zoeyzhang9866]

Thank you Ralph for sharing those useful tips! And glad to see you back!

[@RalphBacon]

Ha, ha! I just found time to do this quick video, Zoey! I have many more projects but no time to continue them. But we will see if I can manage another video this month.

[@zoeyzhang9866]

@@RalphBacon 🤗💯

[@dcpowered]

Awesome new video!! Thanks a lot for sharing your experience with us, Ralph!

[@RalphBacon]

Glad you liked it!

[@Dad-ij2qy]

Crikey, mate, not only did you show me how to properly handle and apply solder flux onto SMT parts, you put a smile on my face at least thrice whilst doing it! Thumbs up! :) Great to see you back, Ralph Bacon

[@RalphBacon]

I won't ask how I put a smile on your face but I'm glad you found it mildly amusing and learnt something along the way!

[@CookieTube]

Instead of pushing with much force onto the big syringe to transfer the flux to the other smaller one. Simple PULL the smaller/empty one a bit out. You'd create a small vacuum that way, and your don't need to PUSH so hard on the big syringe. If done right (PUSH & PULL), the flux will almost transfer itself, without you needing to apply much force at all!! Same principle/tip applies for storing the syringes: If you're afraid some flux will drip out, simply PULL the syringe a bit after you've done (and then cap it off, if you have caps). That way there is far less chance something will drip out unintentionally. --> also works for anything else that acts as an syringe, eg: TEC7 tubes/guns, or hotglue guns, etc, etc

[@RalphBacon]

I'll try this the next time I do this (which will be shortly as I have almost used one 2ml syringe of flux since this video).

[@leighbucksey5263]

Great job Ralph, I built an automated syringe filler for the company I work for. We produce Flux and Solder pastes. I ended up using an arguing nano for the control but essentially we apply air pressure to the top of a 30oz cartridge and have a manifold that a syringe locks onto and then once in place the air pressure increases to punch the piston down in the large cartridge and back fills the smaller syringe, once full the air pressure is released and then the syringe is ejected ready for the next one.

[@RalphBacon]

Sounds great! Basically, a commercial implementation of this idea?!?

[@rudolphruiz4009]

Thank you very much for this article, you provide a great solution to issue for soldering.

[@RalphBacon]

Glad it helped!

[@hoggif]

Lovely cut: "the problem wasn't but it was.." "I want to give huge shoutout to PCBWAY" :D

[@RalphBacon]

It was intended as a cliff hanging pause... maybe not so clever after all!

[@hoggif]

@@RalphBacon I think it was bad luck, but funny though :D

[@BjornV78]

You can simply add some Isopropanol to the flux if you want it to be more liquid. That bottle with brush contains a mix of Isopropanol and Kalafonia hard flux (also called violin wax or rosin)

[@RalphBacon]

I'm not sure I want it any more liquid than it already is. That honey-on-toast consistency is perfect for soldering IMHO. Yum!

[@CookieTube]

@@RalphBacon Saying _"honey-on-toast"_ just now after I watched another channel where they said they 'borrowed' their wife's cake-turntable (to easily show a tool on video), I immediately got a mental image of the wife 'borrowing' the jar of flux because she was out of 'honey paste'.... lol.... _"now where did I put that jar??? Oh there it is!!!"_

[@RalphBacon]

You've successfully put me of my supper, that's for sure!

[@Chriva]

Welcome BACK! Mr. Bacon :)

[@RalphBacon]

Thank you so MUCH, great to be here 👍

[@bobmcclure8566]

Thanks Ralph!

[@RalphBacon]

You're welcome, Bob!

[@Arnie10101]

Neat trick, Ralph, I like it!

[@RalphBacon]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ronaldchinn5967]

Always great videos with awesome ideas. Thanks Ralph!

[@RalphBacon]

Glad you like them!

[@no1be4me2]

saw a video couple weeks ago where a gentleman used IPA and rosin he made his own flex after mixing it up in a container he transferred it into syringes and it work perfect for him.

[@RalphBacon]

Yup, that could be a solution (no pun intended, actually scrub that, yes I meant it) and if that works for you too then it works!

[@aliwhoisalive3288]

Ive once bought a flux that came with a metal can, and i thought putting it in a syringe would make the work much easier, i simply put the can in the air fryer with the lid off and turn it on on the lowest heat, 80c, after three or four minutes it melted completely and simply sucked by the syringe, you can use this method or putting it in hot water even if it came in a plastic container, just remember to not use very hot water it could possible melt the plastic

[@RalphBacon]

Yes, I've tried this too, but once re-solidified the flux can be too solid for a syringe to work well. You might have to add some extra "flux thinner" aka IPA.

[@appatula]

Microwave or warm water works as well. Warm any flux up and it turns to a liquid for an easy to pour transferring solution; or just suck it up with a syringe and just let it cool.

[@RalphBacon]

Yes, it's the "let it cool" bit that makes Ralph impatient! Flux takes quite a long time to go from fluid to set-honey like status!

[@wayne8113]

Thanks Ralph, Like it 👍

[@RalphBacon]

My pleasure!

[@phakalanep7241]

Nice haircut Ralf!!😃

[@RalphBacon]

Thanks! 😃

[@philipwalker2800]

Love your videos - hope I've not missed any recently. Interesting flux approach but I use Chemtronics 8200 which comes in a fibre-tipped pen. This is a liquid in this case for leaded solder ( I use) but a version for lead-free is available. In use you just wipe it across the pads you want to solder and it leaves a thin film which makes soldering very easy. Cleaning with IPA (toothbrush and cloth) I would recommend as it is a bit sticky in the short term. A 9ml pen costs about £10 to £12 but I'm still on my first after about 5 years. Phil

[@RalphBacon]

I tried a pen just once, and it sort of worked but not as well as true flux. It was Louis Rossman that converted me to the pure stuff (as well as accepting that you can never have too much flux).

[@rubenmejia4881]

​@@RalphBaconfacts!

[@carlarrowsmith]

I've been using the flux pens from China for SMD soldering. They work okay but don't have much time as the flux evaporates really quick. Going to try your method I think and see if it works any better.

[@RalphBacon]

It will work better, I assure you. Just remember to drink your beer and use IPA to clean the PCB.

[@TYGAMatt]

Not particularly happy with my flux pen. As you say it evaporates off too quickly. Flux dispensed from a syringe is way better

[@ovalwingnut]

I whole-heartly agree... "no clean flux" naming convention is a disservice to customers. We both know without even being told that this concept (like so many others) is rubbish... excuse my foul language. The world seems to go a little craZier every day, sadly. That being said, PcBway is still RoCkiNg however. Thank you for the tips -and not just the hypodermic variety - and videos. Cheers :)

[@RalphBacon]

I saw a couple of videos from Louis Rossman where he showed that tracks had been eaten away by flux over time (probably years). But eaten away, nonetheless.

[@markgreco1962]

Like the shop view, is that the garage?

[@RalphBacon]

The Garage? What? What? If you are referring to my custom-built workshop, then no, it isn't! I had this built when I moved house a couple of years ago, as I already had a workshop there and was heartbroken to leave it! I built and wired all the interior but left the main construction to those you know about such stuff. Fully insulated and lined with both plywood and plasterboard. It's a joy to be in, which is just as well considering I spend I whole working day in here! I did some videos on it, but I will leave it to you to find them. Around April 2021 and going forward. Oh alright, here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3rGi2qEga56j9U

[@markgreco1962]

@@RalphBacon must be the angle of the shot. Or my age

[@RalphBacon]

Or my rubbish filming ability 😱😆

[@markgreco1962]

@@RalphBacon regardless great video. I was there in spirit during the construction. Perhaps my foggy brain. Keep up the videos Ralph.

[@borayurt66]

All jel flux melt. Put the "tub" in hot water (around 50C works well) and wait for it to melt. Now you can literally pour it into any syringe without the need for spudgers etc. You can use a funnel though. As long it you don't boil it, the flux will not lose its properties when melted and return to its original consistency when cooled down.

[@RalphBacon]

Yes, you could do that. But is that less work/mess than this way?

[@borayurt66]

@@RalphBacon I believe that's how the original flux syringes are filled in the factory.

[@martin87865]

Hi Ralph, Flux the easy way. Fantastic !!! I will be trying this myself thank you. Sorry to change the subject but could I ask which current protected bench power supply you use ? as this is the next item on my shopping list. Regards, Martin.

[@RalphBacon]

My PSU is a TENMA 72-2690 and gives me 30v at 5A. I like it because you can control the current maximum (and set the voltage) very easily once you have figured out what the rotary encoders are doing! When I connect up a new circuit I always set the current max to, say, 10mA, on the basis that there should be very little (if any) current flow before I connect the microcontroller. If the PSU trips (shuts down the current) then I know there is something wrong.

[@martin87865]

@@RalphBacon Thank you for this information it's very much appreciated and such a great help.

[@steverileyretired]

Good Idea

[@RalphBacon]

Thanks, Steve. Glad you liked it.

[@j1952d]

Does the flux in the tub melt if you heat it (bain marie style)?

[@RalphBacon]

It does. But let's not go there.

[@neilw2O]

And to get rid of the sticky stuff, use tea three oil, lighter fluid then IPA, with a toothbrush or similar. Compressed air helps, after it is all dry for the last dusting off of IPA.

[@RalphBacon]

Hang on, Neil, compressed Air + flux = mess all over my workbench; or have I got that wrong?

[@neilw2O]

@@RalphBacon air after IPA dried for last dust off. Just a jeweller's hand foofer will do

[@bobsoft]

Acetone

[@neilw2O]

@@bobsoft be careful. Acetone often attacks things in unexpected ways.

[@simonspeaker]

heating very low temps to liquify the flux also help

[@RalphBacon]

Yup, I'll try this way next time. If there is a mess, I'll give you call to help clear it up. What? What? Where have you gone?

[@simonspeaker]

​@@RalphBacon haha but does the mg chemicals have a pleasant smell and, does it result sticky after ipa?

[@stephenremillard9462]

Hello Mr Bacon, great informative video as usual. I am interested in your prototyping board design. I am eager to see a future video about it and maybe the if you decide to share it's design.

[@RalphBacon]

Coming soon! It's not rocket science but I hope it will help me out with my several mini-projects.

[@gedtoon6451]

I had a bottle of that Topnik flux, but I they it away! I don't know if it was fake, but the fumes from it literally took my breath away. It struck me as being very toxic. Did you get the same effect?

[@RalphBacon]

I can't remember, but even regular solder (with embedded flux) does that to me, which is why I have a small USB-powered desk fan on my soldering desk. My lungs thank me everytime I switch it on.

[@mitchellhw2006]

We Yanks call jam jam and jelly jelly. They're not the same. Flux viscosity is more like petroleum jelly. i.e. - Vaseline. :-) Good video Ralph. I've made my fair share of messes trying to refill flux syringes.

[@RalphBacon]

Interesting! So jam is jam but not jelly? Or the other way round? I was introduced to Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches several decades ago by some fellow students from the States. Really weird for UK people but now more or less accepted. But we still call it jam not jelly (which is short for gelatine pudding).

[@ybe6655]

Nice one. now you can use your 3d printer to print a support for your seringues...

[@RalphBacon]

Good idea! That would be a good use of my 3D printer. Seriously.

[@TMS5100]

Why mess with syringes? Use a cotton swab to apply directly. SO much easier. I used to use syringes, with all the headaches associated with it. After watching androkavo soldering videos I just switched to using Mechanic UV80 with a cotton swab. Never looking back.

[@RalphBacon]

Hmm. Just watched one of his excellent videos but using a cotton bud/swab is, in his own words, a bit messy. Typical British Understatement! Using a syringe you can be much more precise, and with the smaller nozzles I showed, very accurate indeed.

[@TMS5100]

@@RalphBacon is precision application of flux truly necessary? i find it isn't needed at all. it's precision application of solder that matters. the louis rossman and androkavo method of drowning in flux makes soldering so much easier. precision application of tiny bits of flux means if you mess up you have to be very quick and precise with your soldering. if you screw up you have to go back and add more flux to have another go because it's instantly consumed. if you have a pool of flux you can take your time and not be so rushed. especially as you get older and your eyes and hands get worse, this starts to matter more and more. i choose ease and a bit of mess over neat & tidy but increased effort. you have to clean the residue off afterwards anyway.

[@Jogmaster9]

Are there luer adapters with a taper to fit standard taper end syringe?

[@RalphBacon]

I didn't see any but then again I'm not really looking for those. Google may be your best friend if you have, indeed, a tapered syringe. OTOH you could just buy those syringes I showed, a whole pack of 20 (or was it 30) for a very reasonable sum.

[@Schroeder9999]

I was thinking melting the flux and sucking them in through the metal funnel

[@RalphBacon]

Yes, many of you seem to do that. I wonder how long you have to wait before it solidifies again?

[@steve6375]

Hey Ralph. Love your vids but in some you show a WebRadio PCB that you made using PCBWay. I can't find any video about that PCB or find it on PCBWay and I would very much like to order one (maybe modify it a little first too). I have a MiniWebRadio on a breadboard (using a small 6-pin DAC board instead of VS1050B) and would like to turn it into a neater arrangement and put it in a box.

[@RalphBacon]

Mine was a two-part solution: one for the "main board, ie ESP32, VS1053, audio transformers etc) and another one for the TFT screen so the TFT could be mounted more easily inside a case. I can send you the EasyEDA project if you want so you can at least play with it and totally revamp it if you want? If you can use EasyEDA then email me and I'll zip it up for you.

[@steve6375]

@@RalphBacon That would be great - thank you so much. I will contact you.

[@youpattube1]

Good to know. Luer.

[@IamEqualtoall]

This is good info. Getting luer to NPT adapter to connect a zerk fitting to use a syringe to measure shot volumes from a handful of different grease guns in the shop. This way we can label each gun with # of shots per oz.

[@RalphBacon]

Sounds like you know what you are doing there with all those grease guns.

[@GWorxOz]

Are you still making videos Ralph?

[@RalphBacon]

Having a break at the moment, but I may be back soon!

[@yogeshitaliya473]

❤❤❤❤

[@RalphBacon]

Hey, Yogesh, great to see you here! 👍

[@spielautomat9751]

my tip, heat flux and pour it into liquid form or simply suck it up with a syringe.

[@RalphBacon]

Yes, but is it as easy as this method with no spills? Might be. I will try it.

[@gedtoon6451]

Arduino have stated that IDE 1.8.19 will be the last V1 release and will referred to as 'Legacy'. Version 2.1.1 is now recommended for all users. I think it is a good time for you do a review of this new IDE.

[@RalphBacon]

Yes, I'm using 2.2.1 and it's OK. A pity they have hidden/removed/not yet implemented all the advanced features that Eclipse allows.

[@gedtoon6451]

@@RalphBacon For the number of years that they have been developing it, it is still a bit lacklustre.

[@RalphBacon]

No comment. 🤐 As an aside, why did they not just use VSC with a simplified/modified PlatformIO? No overhead to maintain, works just great!

[@pekkagronfors7304]

You must have been a nurse in your previous life... 😆

[@RalphBacon]

I could have been, as the sight of blood doesn't worry me, nor needles into my arm (Covid immunisations). But this is far easier anyway.

[@kentswanson2807]

In which Ralph recreates the historic Apollo Soyuz mission. I see someone was quicker on the space reference than I was. Couldn't you stick the point end in the goopy stuff and pull theplunger?(on the ones where the rubber stays attached). As Peter Gabriel says, "feeding gorithm" (AL to his friends)

[@RalphBacon]

Unfortunately, just sticking the syringe into a tub of flux is like taking a *sledgehammer* to crack a nut - and doesn't even work unless you pre-melt the flux, of course, which can be/is very messy. But *don't give up* try my method, it really does work well.

[@steve6375]

Can't you just put the tub in the microwave, turn it to liquid and suck it into a syringe (I haven't tried it myself!)?

[@RalphBacon]

Almost certainly, but it sounds messy even just saying it.

[@PaulaXism]

15 seconds in the microwave and just suck it up.. same as I do with honey that has set.

[@RalphBacon]

Oh think of the bees! They worked so hard to make that honey, no longer runny, and you zap it in the microwave. Sigh. Well, I do that too but not with flux, because (a) I don't have a microwave in the workshop and (b) if my wife saw me melting flux in the kitchen I would be banned for life and (c) it's all too much of a chore now that I have discovered Luer connectors!

[@ElieWar]

Why not the cream method for cakes. A small plastic bag, a small hole, and then squeez!

[@RalphBacon]

And I thought the previous way I did it was messy 🤢

[@ElieWar]

@RalphBacon of course, I meant into the tube! Not the board! 🤓

[@jukkapekkaylitalo]

y do not need adaptor just squeeze flux from big syringe to little one. The little one have the same little larger end in other end. Then just squeeze the little one until flux comes out of the other end.

[@RalphBacon]

Thanks for the info, sounds pretty easy!