Stirri Tacky Flux Range Product Review

Stirri produce a huge range of tacky fluxes. In this video I test out a few of them to find the best ones within the categories of clarity, odour, performance and cleaning.
Sorry about all the bird noises in the background.
Stirri Product range (affiliate link) includes 10% discount:
stirri.com/BRANCHUS
STL of 5ml syringe plunger (10ml and 30ml coming soon!)
www.thingiverse.com/thing:654...
01:02 What is flux?
01:24 Why so many different fluxes?
01:53 No clean?
02:14 REACH compliance
02:26 Solder paste
03:05 What I look for in a good quality flux
04:15 A small sample of each
05:32 Bake the flux
06:01 Clean the flux
06:40 Practical testing
07:30 UV tracer
07:47 Initial thoughts
07:57 HydraMA
08:19 Clarity
08:46 Odour
09:01 Performance
09:30 The shortlist
10:32 My pick
Apollo 13 footage ©1995 Universal
#Stirri #soldering #flux
T-SHIRTS
Do you like my wacky t-shirts? I buy all of them from Qwertee. Use the discount code: BranchusCreations to get £1/€1/$1 off your order. Check out the range here:
bit.ly/3OrJZkT
If you enjoy the content and would like to support the channel, please consider becoming a Patron:
/ branchuscreations
Of if would like to make a small donation, you can do so here:
www.paypal.me/branchus
Tools/Products used (paid links):
SOLDERING IRON
Hakko FX951: amzn.to/31QvCMW
SOLDERING IRON TIPS:
Bevelled edge soldering iron tip (T12-BC2): amzn.to/45NSrBK
Small bevelled soldering iron tip (T12-C1): amzn.to/3YVH5K0
Bent conical soldering iron tip (T12-JL02): amzn.to/3sx8lSU
Chiselled soldering iron tip (T12-KU): amzn.to/44tAo2A
HOT AIR STATION:
Quick 861DW: amzn.to/2ZjYzPH
SOLDER:
Kester 63/37 0.5mm diameter: amzn.to/3uviEIg
FLUX:
StirriASM: amzn.to/43nT05e
SOLDER WICK:
Goot Wick 2mm: amzn.to/3YWlRvw
TWEEZERS:
Hakko CHP 3-SA: amzn.to/2NqkhPz
DT71 DIGITAL MULTIMETER TWEEZERS:
amzn.to/41VcvSb
OTHER:
Vevor 30L Ultrasonic Cleaner (5% off on all Vevor sites code: VVMH5%OFF):
AU site: s.vevor.com/bfP7q7
US site: s.vevor.com/bfP7uN
EU site: s.vevor.com/bfQaMb
-----------------------------------------------------
Component suction tool (vacuum pen): amzn.to/44xyPkm
Microscope: amzn.to/2HnSI5H
Microscope camera: amzn.to/2TdSYsZ
Budget alternative microscope: amzn.to/2PmRagt
Budget alternative soldering station (uses T12 tips): amzn.to/2SeUpHg
Budget alternative hot air rework: amzn.to/3fN1ZU7
Helping hands (third hand): amzn.to/31JUhVL
Ultrasonic cleaning fluid: amzn.to/2YusoQQ
Fume extractor: amzn.to/2HuG0oU
UV Solder mask: amzn.to/2ZnK1yu
Swann Morton curved scalpel blades: amzn.to/2oN7qNn
No. 3 Scalpel Handle: amzn.to/2ngcx85
Kapton heat resistant tape: amzn.to/2xBnTso
28 AWG enamelled magnet wire (thick): amzn.to/32cRsLf
34 AWG enamelled magnet wire (med): amzn.to/35Bx20D
40 AWG enamelled magnet wire (thin): amzn.to/2J2Aisf

[@TheHouseOfMoth]

The TASTE test appears to be missing, please follow up with that :)

[@cdyoutoob]

A comparison on hand cleaning with IPA would be good. ie how easy, how much residue left. Do some go very sticky. Would they require additional cleaning agents.

[@ASMRPoohbear]

Superb video Bruce!

[@SimjetAU]

Excellent video again....I will be using the ASM. thanks a lot

[@DC-xt1ry]

Awsome review! Thank you!

[@Foxhound682]

The V3 and the asm I like I am currently using the V3

[@JVHShack]

Very informative video, Bruce! I love the thumbnail, btw. 😂

[@rubenmejia4881]

Excellent video, Bruce! Fortunately, I've got to try out all of those formulas. To be honest, I have many favorites for different reasons, although I do like them all. All time V3 was my very first choice when I first discovered Stirri but since I work with leaded solder, the MT is my current favorite just like you mentioned I love the clarity and the action I've gotten from it. To be fair, they all performed excellent for my needs. The V3, V2, VS-UHF, ASM, HT, and MT are all on my current rosters. The hydra line is great, but I used the rosin base more. I use them almost like flavors for scent. But I love all of them. Stirri has done a spectacular job. I, too, have run through many fluxes both by major players and small ones, and my go-to is Stirri all the way! I'm glad to see this video. I'm sure many like myself have been awaiting this.

[@LaserFur]

The lead free hot air reflow/replacement of QFN parts is the hardest thing I do at times. Having a good flux is critical to that task.

[@CayMacVintage]

Great job and glad I am using the ASM and V3 as my favorites. I buy direct from them in 30g amounts.

[@BranchusCreations]

I tend to use the 10g syringes as I find them a bit more manageable. I buy 3 each time, and then grab another 3 when I get down to the last tube.

[@CayMacVintage]

@@BranchusCreations being on small island with high duties, I get the larger to last me about 1 month each and reorder to USA house and bring back with me on plane. On plane, I get a dollar limit to what I can bring in duty free. I need enough to last me about 3 months and always have 2 extra for emergency spares. If I do loads of reloaded boards, I use it up quicker.

[@MichaelRogersJesusrules]

Thank you for sharing. I heard a good one the other day if your not fluxing your not soldering! So true it's helped me as a 2nd year back into it after 30 years .but why is flux so expensive like the solder is bad enough.5ml 33 plus 10 postage aud.kinda sad imo I'm stuck in middle of nowhere so I have to rely on post .backs knackered from car accidents. Working on them but that wasn't so bad young. anyways cheers Bro ❤

[@protox07]

I like your videos

[@SeanChYT]

I always find flux cleaning the most frustrating aspect of soldering work, so for me perhaps the V3 would be better than the ASM? Not by a lot I assume, but every little thing helps. I own and use an ultrasonic cleaner sometimes, but as I am a hobbyist I don't have it setup and ready for use all the time.

[@oliverer3]

Seems interesting for those boards where you can't use an ultrasonic cleaner, i.e. boards with MEMS devices etc.

[@SeanChYT]

@@oliverer3 Very true. I learned that the hard way the first time I repaired a smartphone. Suddenly I needed to also switch out two digital microphones and the gyroscope/compass/accelerometer. I had seen mobile repair shops use ultrasonic cleaners before on KZbin, but I realized afterwards that they only dipped specific sections of the PCB into the ultrasonic cleaner, while I plopped the entire thing in there. 🙂

[@cla3d]

Great review! I really like the Amtech NC-559-ASM-TF . I have one last tube of it that has the Amtech name but also says Stirri on the tube. I bought the Stirri-ASM-TF and found it works pretty good but was more think and sticky after use then the NC-559-ASM-TF. Do you know if the Stirri-ASM-TF was supposed to be a direct replacement for the NC-559-ASM-TF?

[@rubenmejia4881]

It's the same company, just rebranded name. It is possible that you got it recently, and it's a fresh batch. The ASM is supposed to be very tacky and thicker than other fluxes. So, depending on how long ago you got the original, you may notice that difference. Yes, the Stirri ASM is the name replacement for the NC-559-ASM

[@enzofitzhume7320]

👍👍

[@TzviHershtik]

I bought the V3 from amtech direct about a year ago and i love it I just not really like the performence with the hot air station What is the best flux of all of them for hot air station in your opinion?

[@Johadart]

Hi Bruce, great video by the way, but have you tried to make your own flux, not only safe, but cleans off easily than you can buy, costs absolutely nothing to buying a known brand.. keep up the good work bud… 🤙🏼🇦🇺 Joe in Australia 🤙🏼🇦🇺

[@brucewalker1908]

Nice what is the best solder paste for rebelling

[@BranchusCreations]

I was going to give this a try, but I couldn't find my BGA stencils. ASM has always served me well in the past, but when I find the stencils, I'm keen to test with the StirriBGA flux.

[@jasontram7775]

1:16 “Solder”

[@paszTube]

1:15 did you mean "SOLDER begins harder to work with"?

[@BranchusCreations]

You are quite correct, that's exactly what I meant. And this is not the first time I've said "flux" when I meant "solder" or vice versa!

[@paszTube]

@@BranchusCreations to err is human!