Soldering with lead free solder.

[dern]

I'm building a headphone amp and got half way through the power supply when I ran out of the solder which I've had for years. I got some new solder which is lead free and it's much harder to get to flow. Is there a knack to it?

Thanks,

Mark

[dilbert]

You'll probably need a slightly hotter iron. Also once it's flowed, it'll need to be hotter the next time you want to flow it. Not so bad for construction, just make sure you don't make a mess of it! When it comes to component removal, it can be a real pain.

Blame it on health and safety.

You can still get normal solder.

[TheExcession]

I had exactly the same problem, was using old solder I'd had knocking around for years then arrived this new lead free stuff.

I'm pretty sure it needs a hotter iron too, although my work is mainly joining wires so I just have to wait longer to get everything upto temperature.

PITA.

best
Ex

[motco]

Hotter irons are more likely to lift tracks from PCBs - take care!

[arh]

290 centigrade for unleaded 270 for leaded. Be careful with some components as the soldering inside them may be leaded and could unsolder if they get too hot. this is all due to the enviroment and the fact they want to cut down the background lead levels.

[dern]

Ah, I didn't realise you could still get lead based stuff. I'll get some more of that next time I order some bits then as I don't believe I use it frequently enough to warrant it being a health risk.

Thanks for the advice and if I have to use it again I'll use the bigger iron.

Regards,

Mark

[motco]

dern said:

Ah, I didn't realise you could still get lead based stuff. I'll get some more of that next time I order some bits then as I don't believe I use it frequently enough to warrant it being a health risk.

Thanks for the advice and if I have to use it again I'll use the bigger iron.

Regards,

Mark

Not sure you can Mark, I was one-third owner of a small security equipment manufacturer until a couple of years ago and we had to change to non-lead, low-smoke solder. Maybe it was because we were industrial rather than amatuer - I don't know.

[scared but happy]

Rules and regs: www.acal-radiatron.com/lead-free.php

[dern]

motco said:

dern said:

Ah, I didn't realise you could still get lead based stuff. I'll get some more of that next time I order some bits then as I don't believe I use it frequently enough to warrant it being a health risk.

Thanks for the advice and if I have to use it again I'll use the bigger iron.

Regards,

Mark

Not sure you can Mark, I was one-third owner of a small security equipment manufacturer until a couple of years ago and we had to change to non-lead, low-smoke solder. Maybe it was because we were industrial rather than amatuer - I don't know.

RS seem to stock it... RS Stock no. 557-118

Edited by dern on Sunday 26th November 17:14

[motco]

dern said:

motco said:

dern said:

Ah, I didn't realise you could still get lead based stuff. I'll get some more of that next time I order some bits then as I don't believe I use it frequently enough to warrant it being a health risk.

Thanks for the advice and if I have to use it again I'll use the bigger iron.

Regards,

Mark

Not sure you can Mark, I was one-third owner of a small security equipment manufacturer until a couple of years ago and we had to change to non-lead, low-smoke solder. Maybe it was because we were industrial rather than amatuer - I don't know.

RS seem to stock it... RS Stock no. 557-118

Edited by dern on Sunday 26th November 17:14

Mark, A bit more research shows this

RS said:

Question: Will I still be able to buy & use leaded solder after 1st July 2006?

Answer: Yes, leaded solder will still be widely available. It can be used for maintenance of equipment put on the market before 1st July, or in the manufacture of products which are exempt from the legislation (e.g. medical devices)

I must assume that we were advised by our insurers to desist. Anyway, you are right, it is still around.