Question regarding soldering

[fenderiarhs]

....as you might know from 2006 electronic products (including guitars e.t.c) should be RoHS compliant.....

I have recently bought a fender classic player 50's strat in which all solders appear to be RoHS compliant......i am in need of performing some rewiring work on this (using the old classic solder) but i was wondering if there is any problem/complication if i do this on a RoHS compliant solder work?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Question regarding soldering

The circuitry will still work but it will no longer be RoHS compliant. Get some lead-free solder and you'll be fine.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Question regarding soldering

You may want to check the Kester website. They are huge in the industry.

From what I remember, Kester mentions different fluxes for lead free solder. Personally, I have replaced components on Pb-free compliant boards, and the result when soldering the new components was than less "shiny". The solder joint looked frosted over. The only way I was able to get the classic shiny solder joint, was to remove the lead free solder from the pc board with some solder wick...then resolder the pad on the pc board with lead solder and rosin flux.

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Question regarding soldering

That is just how leadfree solder looks like!
Look for holes or groves if you guys are afraid of a cold solderpoint.
And do remember that this leadfree pooh heats up longer....so be wary of the pcb, the glue for the copper may slip.

 

[noth]

Re: Question regarding soldering

I have not liked the Kester lead free solders I've tried. You need a lot of heat and they don't flow nicely.

But I am impressed with AIM solder. Their lead free flows and looks pretty much like regular solder. Not sure where the solitary consumer would get it, though.

http://www.aimsolder.com/

BTW, did you know that tubes (which contain mercury) for musical instrument amps have been exempted from RoHS. I'd love to know how that was pulled off, but I'm glad it was!

Noth

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Question regarding soldering

Nice Noth! I do thank you for the info! I was not aware of opinion regarding the new technology...Kester style. The industry is in a period of change and adjustment. Clashing combos of alloys, fluxes, and techniques are 20 years in the making, I'm afraid.

There seems to be a 100% consensus that these lead free alternatives are NOT as good as lead-alloy, at tech level. They require odd fluxes that may damage PC boards over their lifetime if not fully removed...and those damn lead free solders need a higher melt/flow point to acheive what looks like a cold solder joint!

 

[noth]

Re: Question regarding soldering

Nice Noth! I do thank you for the info! I was not aware of opinion regarding the new technology...Kester style. The industry is in a period of change and adjustment. Clashing combos of alloys, fluxes, and techniques are 20 years in the making, I'm afraid.

There seems to be a 100% consensus that these lead free alternatives are NOT as good as lead-alloy, at tech level. They require odd fluxes that may damage PC boards over their lifetime if not fully removed...and those damn lead free solders need a higher melt/flow point to acheive what looks like a cold solder joint!

You're quite right, Sludgenuts. RoHS is a big pain, just like CE approval was about 10-15 years ago. But I've done some pretty extensive listening tests to amplifier circuit boards with RoHS approved boards, components, and solder, and I am happy to report that they sound (subjectively, of course) as good or better than leaded boards.

Noth

 

[Bezmotivnik]

Re: Question regarding soldering

There seems to be a 100% consensus that these lead free alternatives are NOT as good as lead-alloy, at tech level.

Is there any compelling reason for an individual tech or gear owner to use them?

 

[noth]

Re: Question regarding soldering

Is there any compelling reason for an individual tech or gear owner to use them?

Between you, me and our axes, NO. The one roll of regular solder we've bought to work on our guitars will last a lifetime.

As for the environmental impact, I'll leave that to Al...

Noth

 

[Bezmotivnik]

Re: Question regarding soldering

The one roll of regular solder we've bought to work on our guitars will last a lifetime.

That's probably the literal truth; I have the same roll I bought while doing a club tour in Europe over thirty-five years ago.