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Do you still use leaded solder? I was today refused to buy it ...

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Cerebus:

--- Quote from: Halcyon on November 18, 2021, 12:30:58 am ---On the subject of leaded solder, I need to order some more. I don't use a lot of solder, but I usually keep a few different thicknesses on hand for hobbyist purposes.

There are so many different formulations available with varying ratios of lead and other metals such as copper, tin, silver etc...

I don't have a specific requirement for anything exotic, should I just stick with the standard 60/40 Sn/Pb stuff with a rosin core?

--- End quote ---

I grew up on 60/40 and in recent years have switched to 63/37. There's not a lot in it, but I find that I get slightly better flow on hand soldering with the 63/37 - I've started getting the perfect dished fillets on the other side of plated through holes that used to elude me when I was using 60/40. I acquired some Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 solder paste, and it has been a dream to work with. Wets everything, flows really well and leaves gleaming joints. I've been sufficiently impressed that I'm planning to acquire some similar alloy solder wire the next time I've an order in with someone who stocks that alloy.

Miyuki:

--- Quote from: Cerebus on November 18, 2021, 03:17:06 am ---
--- Quote from: Halcyon on November 18, 2021, 12:30:58 am ---On the subject of leaded solder, I need to order some more. I don't use a lot of solder, but I usually keep a few different thicknesses on hand for hobbyist purposes.

There are so many different formulations available with varying ratios of lead and other metals such as copper, tin, silver etc...

I don't have a specific requirement for anything exotic, should I just stick with the standard 60/40 Sn/Pb stuff with a rosin core?

--- End quote ---

I grew up on 60/40 and in recent years have switched to 63/37. There's not a lot in it, but I find that I get slightly better flow on hand soldering with the 63/37 - I've started getting the perfect dished fillets on the other side of plated through holes that used to elude me when I was using 60/40. I acquired some Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 solder paste, and it has been a dream to work with. Wets everything, flows really well and leaves gleaming joints. I've been sufficiently impressed that I'm planning to acquire some similar alloy solder wire the next time I've an order in with someone who stocks that alloy.

--- End quote ---
Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 is nice but looks like phased out as a wire. Paste and wire are still common.

james_s:

--- Quote from: Marco on November 18, 2021, 12:19:00 am ---PS. are we having this bizarre discussion because you're an piston airplane owner/pilot and took offence to my entitlement comment?

--- End quote ---

No, I would love to be one but that's a very expensive hobby today. Sadly the days when an ordinary middle class person could reasonably afford to own and fly a small airplane are long over.

Cerebus:

--- Quote from: Miyuki on November 18, 2021, 06:00:05 am ---Sn62/Pb36/Ag2 is nice but looks like phased out as a wire. Paste and wire are still common.

--- End quote ---

12 varieties of solder wire in that alloy at RS today, 2 varieties of paste.

Bassman59:

--- Quote from: Halcyon on November 18, 2021, 12:30:58 am ---On the subject of leaded solder, I need to order some more.
--- End quote ---

Why?

What are you working on that requires lead-based solder?

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