Can we talk about flux pens vs paste for board work?

I used to always use flux paste for reworking SMD joints, just dabbing it on with a toothpick. But about 6 months ago I tried one of those cheap flux pens from Amazon and now I can't go back. The pen gets into tight spots around those tiny QFP pins without making a sticky mess everywhere. Has anyone else switched and found their reflow joints came out cleaner?

2 comments

2 Comments

claireg811mo ago

Totally feel you on that. I made the same switch and my reflow work got way less messy too, those pens are a game changer for fine pitch stuff.

skyler_kim151mo ago

Yeah but @claireg81, have you noticed any issues with those pens drying out if you don't use them for a few days? I bought a three pack and two of them got clogged up on me after like a week of sitting in the drawer. Kinda wondering if I got a bad batch or if that's just how they are.