General > General Technical Chat
Do you still use leaded solder? I was today refused to buy it ...
<< < (13/18) > >>
coppercone2:


I like how they use a ladle to plumb the wire (*no tin here AFAIK*). The lead is sculpted like clay by hand in its semi molten state.

many are left in service today. If I could shrink myself down like ant man I would do all soldering this way. Pour lead into a VIA from a 'cement mixer'  ^-^
james_s:

--- Quote from: Bassman59 on November 18, 2021, 06:06:50 pm ---Why?

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

--- End quote ---

I work on lots of older equipment that was made using lead based solder. I also have never been happy with the performance of lead free when doing hobby projects, it just makes nicer joints, and the amount of lead I will use in my lifetime is negligible anyway so it's not an issue.
tooki:

--- 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 ---
Go for Kester 63/37. The 3% make a difference that makes hand soldering just nicer: the lack of a plastic phase makes joints less susceptible to disturbance.

I recommend Kester 44 without reservation. Digi-Key sells it in various diameters, of which 0.032” (around 0.8mm) is my favorite. (As well as versions with other fluxes which I haven’t tried.)

FWIW, I’ve not been enamored by the Stannol 60/40 we use at work. It’s not bad, but the Kester is better. Stannol’s 62/36/2 is nice. Their lead-free solders work well, but I find their fluxes spit more than I like. I’ve also used Tamura-Elsold 62/36/2 and it’s great, but I don’t know of anyone that sells it.
tooki:

--- Quote from: BreakingOhmsLaw on November 18, 2021, 12:40:07 am ---
--- Quote from: Halcyon on November 18, 2021, 12:30:58 am ---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 ---

There may be more refined stuff out there, but with this classic you can't really go wrong.
Personally, i have been using 1mm STANNOL Sn60PB40 as my daily driver for 30 years, and it is great stuff IMHO.

--- End quote ---
You should try a good 63/37 solder like the Kester I mentioned. It’ll be quite a treat!
tooki:

--- Quote from: ogden on November 15, 2021, 08:49:56 pm ---Why don't you use leaded solder for SMD? No such solder-paste anymore?

--- End quote ---


--- 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 ---

Haven’t you guys ever looked at Digi-Key, Mouser, or Farnell? You’d know that both of those products are still readily available.
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
Previous page
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...

Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod