SparkFun Forums

[emaayan]

what the difference between a solder wire and a solder paste? i mean paste seems more comfortable to work with then the wire, right?

[nickersonm]

Solder paste is only for use in surface mount reflow soldering. You apply the paste, put the SMT parts on top, and bake it in an oven that liquefies the paste.

[emaayan]

but the paste bought says that all you need to do is apply it on leads and place the soldering iron to it for a short period, it also says something about weak acid and not to be used on pc boards.

[leon_heller]

You have the wrong type of solder paste. Anyway, use solder wire for parts with leads.

[MichaelN]

but the paste bought says that all you need to do is apply it on leads and place the soldering iron to it for a short period, it also says something about weak acid and not to be used on pc boards.

Sounds like you might have solder FLUX rather than solder paste (containing powdered solder). In any case, you normally want rosin-core wire solder for hand soldering. Solder paste can be used with a soldering iron, but you'd normally use it with an oven or hot air.