Soldering Irons

[Flibble]

It's eutectic, works like 63/37, but has a little silver so it's harder and doesn't erode silvered components. Really good wetting and flow, especially compared to lead free.

Edited by Flibble on Wednesday 18th May 21:07

[xx99xx]

I recently bought this one:

Soldering Iron Kit Welding Tools - 60W 240V LCD Screen 180℃-500℃ Temperature Adjustable Solder Wire 5 Tips Digital Multimeter Desoldering Pump Stand Wire Cutter Screwdriver 22PCS

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09MZ2DZ5X/ref=cm_sw_r...

Full kit of stuff for £26. Has been ok so far for my basic needs.

[wolfracesonic]

Somehow ended up watching this a while ago NASA guide to solder and soldering, I don’t even do any soldering…

[jet_noise]

Griffith4ever said:

Simpo Two said:

Why do you need lead-free solder for delicate electronics? Is it a melting point issue?

I thought lead-free was a modern aberration along the lines of solvent-free Tipp-Ex and water-based Nitromors, neither of which work properly.

Never heard of that myself - been making PCBs etc for most of my adult life since my teens, on and off. Always tin-lead until lead free started becoming the norm.

Lead free is solely for environmental reasons, as above examples. The reasons given are that lead is nasty to humans (and others) in even quite low doses. Further it's apparently difficult to recycle, difficulty could be economic rather than practical.
I've never looked for studies which show actual risks for, say, workers in solder using industries nor for cases of, say, lead leaching from landfill. And anyway we have WEEE as well to limit that.

When lead free was introduced it was a challenge. The alloys had a significantly higher melting point different wetting characteristics and was more brittle. Components/processes had to change and a lot of cost was incurred to develop. Nonetheless electronic goods soldering is now at least as reliable (if not more so) than it ever was.
And there are still exempt applications where nothing but lead is (yet) suitable.

[Griffith4ever]

jet_noise said:

Lead free is solely for environmental reasons, as above examples. The reasons given are that lead is nasty to humans (and others) in even quite low doses. Further it's apparently difficult to recycle, difficulty could be economic rather than practical.
I've never looked for studies which show actual risks for, say, workers in solder using industries nor for cases of, say, lead leaching from landfill. And anyway we have WEEE as well to limit that.

When lead free was introduced it was a challenge. The alloys had a significantly higher melting point different wetting characteristics and was more brittle. Components/processes had to change and a lot of cost was incurred to develop. Nonetheless electronic goods soldering is now at least as reliable (if not more so) than it ever was.
And there are still exempt applications where nothing but lead is (yet) suitable.

I did a bit of reading on it and it is caution/environmental. Science tells you that at a few hundred degrees, lead is nowhere near a temperature that could vapourise it, and touching it is not enough risk to even register. Hence I'm happy using it, but I'm now going to try the above recommended solder (Sn62) as leaded is mild hassle to obtain.

[jet_noise]

Griffith4ever said:

I did a bit of reading on it and it is caution/environmental. Science tells you that at a few hundred degrees, lead is nowhere near a temperature that could vapourise it, and touching it is not enough risk to even register. Hence I'm happy using it, but I'm now going to try the above recommended solder (Sn62) as leaded is mild hassle to obtain.

Sn62 is leaded. Data sheet.

[Griffith4ever]

jet_noise said:

Sn62 is leaded. Data sheet.

yes, but might be better than standard lead/tin, and easier to obtain.

[jet_noise]

Griffith4ever said:

yes, but might be better than standard lead/tin, and easier to obtain.

Can't comment on the "better" but easier, I'm surprised.
CPC lists 5 Sn62 products, 21 trad. 60/40.

I'll shut up now, unusually argumentative for a Thursday

[Griffith4ever]

jet_noise said:

Griffith4ever said:

yes, but might be better than standard lead/tin, and easier to obtain.

Can't comment on the "better" but easier, I'm surprised.
CPC lists 5 Sn62 products, 21 trad. 60/40.

I'll shut up now, unusually argumentative for a Thursday

No no, totally fair. Just I buy my solder off ebay normally, and finding good leaded solder, with good flux, isn't easy. Hence I've stuck to one brand (Cynel).

Not tried buying it from CPC. I get other stuff there.

Just had a look and 1.2mm 500g 60/40 isn't bad at all at £18