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Wave Dross Reduction & Klennox

Dave f

#14531

Wave Dross Reduction & Klennox | 26 August, 1998

What approach do you you use to reducing wave solder dross? What is your experience with Klennox? Dave F

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Dave F

#14533

Should Be Kleenox | 26 August, 1998

| What approach do you you use to reducing wave solder dross? What is your experience with Klennox? | Dave F Klennox should be spelled Kleenox. Dave F

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Ryan Jennens

#14534

Re: Should Be Kleenox | 27 August, 1998

| | What approach do you you use to reducing wave solder dross? What is your experience with Klennox? | | Dave F | Klennox should be spelled Kleenox. Dave F Kleenox works well for removing accumulated dross as it separates the dross from the solder and helps keep the solder in the pot. It tends to burn off after a few hours so it does not work well for preventing dross. I think it pays for itself by keeping the solder in the pot and reducing the amount that needs to be added. There was a thread about this in Technet. I think the most effective method for reducing solder dross (disregarding nitrogen blanket - very effective) would be to just keep the wave off when not in use (if that situation ever occurs ;) ), and keep the pot at the lowest temperature possible while still yielding good results. Ryan Jennens

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Justin Medernach

#14532

Re: Wave Dross Reduction & Klennox | 28 August, 1998

| What approach do you you use to reducing wave solder dross? What is your experience with Klennox? | Dave F Dave, I use Kleenox on my Air-Vac Volcanic Soldering pots. The stuff works great. It significantly reduces the amount of dross you remove as it separates the "still good" solder from the dross. I would imagine it would have the same effect on a wave solder pot. Ryan makes a good point though. It does burn off and doesn't prevent the formation of dross. Not to mention, the stuff smokes like crazy. Rgs, Justin

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Chrys

#14535

Re: Should Be Kleenox | 28 August, 1998

| | | What approach do you you use to reducing wave solder dross? What is your experience with Klennox? | | | Dave F | | Klennox should be spelled Kleenox. Dave F | Kleenox works well for removing accumulated dross as it separates the dross from the solder and helps keep the solder in the pot. It tends to burn off after a few hours so it does not work well for preventing dross. I think it pays for itself by keeping the solder in the pot and reducing the amount that needs to be added. There was a thread about this in Technet. I think the most effective method for reducing solder dross (disregarding nitrogen blanket - very effective) would be to just keep the wave off when not in use (if that situation ever occurs ;) ), and keep the pot at the lowest temperature possible while still yielding good results. | Ryan Jennens In my opinion, Kleenox is okay. Just okay. I feel that there's training issues associated with it. When used properly, it does a good job of separating the oxides from good solder and can save a lot of money. Up to 95% of the unseparated dross is actually good, usable solder. The problem I have with it is more people-related than chemical related. It's the old "If a little is good, than a lot is better" philosophy. You only need a little Kleenox sprinkled on and choppped in to separate the bad from the good. I've seen guys dump way too much on the solder pot to avoid having to chop it in. I even had a technician who would turn the pumps on to circulate it through the whole system in hopes of cleaning out the nozzles and ducts without pulling them! I've heard lots of reports of increases in random bridging on pots that have been treated with Kleenox. I can't substatiate the reports, because I've used it for extended periods without any random bridging problems. I've also heard that it would change the metallurgy of the pot because impurities like gold and copper wont get pulled out with the dross if the oxides are separated. Again, I used it for three months, sampling every month, and saw no appreciable difference in my solder analysis. I think that some of these issues arise from improper use of the product. The only real chemical-related problem I personaly have with Kleenox is the (ob)noxious fumes that come off the pot when it's applied. I wouldn't use it in my factory without good localized exhaust to extract the fumes. Then again, I get called "joe Safety" all the time anyway. Separating the oxides from the sable metal can save A LOT of money. As an alternative to Kleenox, I'm looking at the Solder Recovery System. You know, the cool little machine that squishes 2/3 of the good solder out of your dross mix and casts it as an ingot for return to the solder pot. I know a couple of places that bought them already, and I'm having a demo here next Tuesday. Sorry to be so long winded. I was out most of the summer and I missed the forum. I promise my next posting will be shorter.

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Steve Gregory

#14536

Re: Should Be Kleenox | 28 August, 1998

Chrys wrote: | Sorry to be so long winded. I was out most of the summer and I missed the forum. I promise my next posting will be shorter. Alright Chrys....(hands on hips and tapping foot), just where the heck were you? Did you bother to tell anybody you were leaving? I'm agast! Only thinking of yourself I'll bet! What about the rest of us poor souls who have to fill in for you while you're gone? From now on you've got to ask Earl if you can leave, and if you can't find him, then ask Justin, if Justin isn't around, then Dave is who you need to talk to, if you can't talk to Dave, you have to find Wayne, if Wayne's out and about, then look for Ryan, if he's not here, then...then...well...uhhh....hmmm...okay... you hafta.....uhhhh...well...well, just don't leave ever again! (Boy! I don't know how these guys expect to have a good website when they just pick-up and leave any ol' time they want! The nerve!) Oh, about the Kleenox...I use it,...sparingly...I usually sprinkle a bit on the pot just before I leave in the evening because it does smoke, (and I don't want to P.O. our rework ladies..), then when I come in the next morning it has quit smoking and permeated the dross thoroughly, so that most of it is sitting up on top for me to scoop off. I don't clean the pot without using it. Throw too much solder away without it. It's worth every penny of the $144.00 per case (Com Kyl's price) -Steve Gregory- P.S. Chrys remember, from now on, get permission! (GRIN)

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