Solder won't stick and I'm losing my mind

[Champ_49]

I've bought turrets from AES in the past and had a bad time with them (same company as Amplified Parts I think).   Those ones had silver plating.  I did get some that had gold plating from AES which worked quite well though.  I've never had a problem with Keystone turrets bought from Mouser.  With that being said..  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Hoffman's parts.  He's a super fast shipper and you'd be helping sponsor this forum at the same time!   

Hi Echuta. I ordered a couple of Hoffman's turret boards today :)   the 5F1 and 5E3. I emailed him a few weeks ago and realized i typed the email wrong hence no reply. I will use those. I lost about $15 plus shipping for the turret board from amplified parts but aw well. Live and learn. 

[Champ_49]

...Next time i am going to sand them down....

I personally recommend fine-grit emery sponges, usually sold as kitchen scouring pads or "Magic erasers" for stubborn pot stains. They can be cut down to manageable sizes, you can glue strips to popsicle sticks for longer reach and more control, and they're cheap.
Because of the sponge they conform to odd shapes easily and they're usually aggressive enough to remove oxidation with just a few strokes. As with sanding, you still need to brush/wash off residue. Removed oxide has to go somewhere after all!

Thank you Jay. Thanks for the extra tip on using popsicle sticks. I will try that next time. I have some fine grit paper so I might as well give it a go on my next build, the 5f1

[sluckey]

If you guys need to resort to sandpaper for turrets, you need to throw them away and find another supplier. One that does enough business to have fresh ones in stock. Even high quality turrets (or other components) will oxidize if left sitting in a bin for years.

[dude]

I've used Doug's turrets, NO issues.
I've used AES turrets too, when Doug didn't carry parts I needed, NO issues.


Amplified Parts, I believe is not affiliated with AES?


Seems you got a bad batch turrets...?


Any turret I used, never had to clean them either, solder always stuck well. I'll have to try that $11.99 that Silvergun posted, seems my solder tops never stay shinny after a few days, normal...? 

[SILVERGUN]

Amplified Parts, I believe is not affiliated with AES?

Nope, same owners different name

I'll have to try that $11.99 that Silvergun posted, seems my solder tops never stay shinny after a few days, normal...?

Here's my most recent result after switching to the flux that sluckey suggested.
I don't ever remember my solder sitting down so flat or being so shiny.

[dude]

Learn something everyday, AES and Amplified parts the same owner, good to know.

[PRR]

> Amplified Parts, I believe is not affiliated with AES?

I don't know if they are married; I'm sure they are living together and share the FAX machine.

Amplified Parts®
Address:   6221 S Maple Ave  Tempe, AZ 85283 USA
Phone:   480-296-0890
Hours:   8am - 5pm Arizona time Monday - Friday
Fax:   480-820-4643
https://www.amplifiedparts.com/customer-service/about-us

Antique Electronic Supply™ {Tubes And More}
Address:   6221 S Maple Ave  Tempe, AZ 85283 USA
Phone:   480-820-5411
Hours:   8am - 5pm Arizona time, Monday - Friday
Fax:   480-820-4643
https://www.tubesandmore.com/customer-service/about-us

CE Distribution
Address:   6221 S Maple Ave Tempe, AZ 85283 USA
Phone:   480-755-4712
Hours:   8am - 5pm Arizona time, Monday - Friday
Fax:   480-820-4643
General Information:   info@cedist.com
https://www.cedist.com/customer-service

I'm pretty sure it is one company under several store-front names. One for old-radio hobbyists. One for G-amp technicians who do big business. And plain retail operations.

[shooter]

 
I use the middle one, didn't know there were triplets 

[Madkrafter]

I lived next door in Mesa a bit ago. They are all one in the same - the two companies merged a while ago. When I picked up my amp from my tech, he was on the phone and said the same to whoever he was talking to. In addition he mentioned that CE Distribution is the wholesale leg of the business.

[pike14130]

Could I get a link to the post Silvergun made for the $11.95 thing. I have a 5F1 and 5E3 turret board that the solder won't stick to the turrets. The turret board is not one of Doug's, but part of a kit(s) from a guy in FL. The turrets are larger and have tried up to 800 deg F heat, different rosin core solders, flux, sanding, etc. with no luck. The turrets are brass under the shiney plating, plating might be nickel. The 5F1 turned out horrible looking and I ordered hoffman boards to replace each in kit. Just curious what might be the problem.
Thanks

[Bieworm]

I had that phenomenon too. Did some successful builds with tube town turrets and then on one of the next builds the solder just wouldn't flow around the turrets. Tried everything.. degreaser,  flux, more heat...nothing made anything better.
I emailed them to ask if they changed brand, and there came no clear answer. They said their supplier might have. Those were the really shiny ones too.
I ended up removing all turrets and rebuilt the board with gold plated ones. Since then I always use the gold plated. They are superb to do soldering work.

[Willabe]

Could I get a link to the post Silvergun made for the $11.95 thing.

https://www.amazon.com/KESTER-Soldering-Solder-Liquid-Reflow/dp/B07K4QNFH2/ref=sr_1_4?crid=135UL00RW17EJ&dchild=1&keywords=liquid+flux+for+electronics&qid=1594058535&sprefix=liquid+flux%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-4