Lead-free solder

[mjarema414]

I was just wondering if anyone uses lead free solder. I've been a sodlering freak lately and sometimes inhale a stiff dose of smoke after soldering a joint. I might have to start wearing a mask. Any thoughts? Is it dangerous to our health using 60/40 rosin core on a weekly basis?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Lead-free solder

I'll start using it when my spool of 60/40 runs out. In the meantime, I have a small fan on all the time while soldering to blow the smoke away. I also take in a good breath before I solder and breathe out slowly so I don't inhale the smoke and fumes.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Lead-free solder

I was just wondering if anyone uses lead free solder. I've been a sodlering freak lately and sometimes inhale a stiff dose of smoke after soldering a joint. I might have to start wearing a mask. Any thoughts? Is it dangerous to our health using 60/40 rosin core on a weekly basis?

I use a ceiling fan whenever I solder. Can't be good to breathe that in. What do you say: "after smoking a joint?"

 

[mjarema414]

Re: Lead-free solder

I use a ceiling fan whenever I solder. Can't be good to breathe that in. What do you say: "after smoking a joint?"

I started using a ceiling fan as well. I'd prefer all natural smoke, not 60/40 rosin core:eek2:

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Lead-free solder

Solder has to be lead free ,here in Oz these days;by law.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Lead-free solder

I say, screw lead free solder!

If one does not have a temp controlled iron, the effort is a waste.

It has a higher melting point with less working time... It is more likely to spatter when un-soldered...And it needs specialized fluxes to perform the same job.

It does not flow into heated joints like lead solder, and is less likely to be satisfactory.

No one is going to die if you use good solder methods, using good solder tools. Lead is not the bogeyman, as long as normal modern methods are used.

-------------------

On the larger Earth scale, far more lead is introduced into the eco-system through the common "sweated joints" of copper plumbing during house construction...or in the auto industry, where car batteries full of lead/acid are recycled...as well as crashed on city streets.

A small "pancake" fan, as those used to cool computer power supplies, are good for clearing fumes. The fumes burnt off regular flux compounds don't bother me at my job, but that is not to say some people cannot be really sensitive to even small amounts of the cook-off.

 

[theodie]

Re: Lead-free solder

I'll start using it when my spool of 60/40 runs out. In the meantime, I have a small fan on all the time while soldering to blow the smoke away. I also take in a good breath before I solder and breathe out slowly so I don't inhale the smoke and fumes.

Pu$$y! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Lead-free solder

You can buy silver-based solder at Radio Shack. I don't know if that makes it lead-free. It's more expensive, but I use it personally.

 

[Brown Note]

Re: Lead-free solder

and silver solder will keep werewolves away from your guitar!!! The lead free solder has no real benefits over leaded solder in any applications! The fumes are mostly from the flux and you get more heavy metals from a fish meal than inhaling solderfumes. The lead free solder is only real environmental threat when used in factory scales and when disassembling huge amounts of pcb:s with tonnes of solder. The a-hole who came up with the EU law against leaded solder should be gutted and fed to the needy! that would be a *real* benefit for all of us!!