General > General Technical Chat
Do you still use leaded solder? I was today refused to buy it ...
tooki:
--- Quote from: Miyuki on November 16, 2021, 08:41:08 pm ---
--- Quote from: jeremy on November 16, 2021, 08:23:56 pm ---
--- Quote from: Miyuki on November 16, 2021, 07:24:40 pm ---
--- Quote from: jeremy on November 16, 2021, 08:03:10 am ---Been using SN100C for at least a decade. I much prefer it to leaded stuff. If low temp is needed, just use a bismuth alloy.
--- End quote ---
This looks like an interesting alternative to try
Just read quality vary significantly between manufacturers :-//
--- End quote ---
I use Nihon Superior for SN100C, and Chipquik for bismuth alloys. I am very happy with both.
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Someone here on the forum said STANNOL one is terrible
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Stannol is one of the biggest solder brands. They’re not my absolute favorite, but it’s not junk.
--- Quote from: Miyuki on November 16, 2021, 08:41:08 pm ---I think that is a big issue as you do not see a huge difference between brands in SnPb stuff
People might just buy some nasty stuff from even reasonably looking brand :-//
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As in, a company whose leaded product is good might have a lousy lead-free? Possibly. But it’s been so long that every reputable solder manufacturer has gotten it basically perfected by now.
The most common lead-free alloys were developed years ago. I think the real technical change since the dawn of RoHS is in the fluxes. The higher temperatures burn off traditional fluxes too fast, and I think it took time to really develop fluxes that work as well as classic activated rosin without being corrosive.
Halcyon:
--- Quote from: Bassman59 on November 18, 2021, 06:06:50 pm ---
--- Quote from: Halcyon on November 18, 2021, 12:30:58 am ---On the subject of leaded solder, I need to order some more.
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Why?
What are you working on that requires lead-based solder?
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Because I can and I've mostly used leaded solder over the years, so why change now?
Ed.Kloonk:
No good can come from change!
:rant:
Halcyon:
--- Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on November 20, 2021, 02:53:45 am ---No good can come from change!
:rant:
--- End quote ---
Exactly! Look at Windows 10.
Seriously though, even though I do little soldering, why change from something that works for me? If it means that leaded solder flows better, then I'll keep using it. If there is a better solution out there, I'll consider that too.
A roll will last me for ages, so I'd rather make the right choice.
Feel free to give me a compelling reason why I shouldn't use leaded solder?
Someone:
--- Quote from: Halcyon on November 20, 2021, 03:08:52 am ---Seriously though, even though I do little soldering, why change from something that works for me? If it means that leaded solder flows better, then I'll keep using it. If there is a better solution out there, I'll consider that too.
A roll will last me for ages, so I'd rather make the right choice.
Feel free to give me a compelling reason why I shouldn't use leaded solder?
--- End quote ---
Availability will be the reason to stop using leaded solder, right now if you can get the alloy, size, and flux combination you prefer then it doesn't make much difference.
For Australian delivery, Element14 have a range of Multicore and Stannol alloys and sizes with the very pleasant 362 or 366 rosin fluxes (cheaper than the sources/brands mentioned above). 62Sn/36Pb/2Ag "low melting point" is a joy to use for hobby/personal work. With a good soldering iron that you can get enough heat into the joint, even the 99Sn/1Cu alloys are fine.
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