I've been working on my first robot these last few weeks and have lurked around these forums soaking up this information. Good stuff here! Well I've been using lead solder I got from Radio Shack (.032 diameter, Rosin-Core, 60/40). My wife really wants me to stop using the lead stuff and so I need to buy some lead-free solder. They didn't have any at my local Radio Shack, but I found some at Jameco (http://www.Jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pa=668271&productId=668271&cid=PDF). I'm hoping this stuff will be a good replacement for my lead solder. I've been debating exactly which ratio of Tin/Silver/Copper I should go with. Any suggestions?
My second question is do I need to buy any additional flux or anything if I use this lead-free solder? With my lead solder I don't have anything additional. I just simply use the solder. I think I read somewhere that my lead solder has flux built-in. Sorry, I'm really a beginner and hoping to start out on the right foot. Thanks for your help!
I’m with almost 20 years of
I’m with almost 20 years of good old lead solder and still here…
any way, the only thing is, you’ll have to raise the temperature on your iron as the melting temp is a little higher, solder flux will help, but is not a must have
as for the ratio, you’ll have to try them out and check the one you get along better
Thanks for your response.
Thanks for your response. That’s what I was wondering. Sounds like flux can help, but isn’t required so I’m going to start by just using this lead-free solder and see how that goes before I start looking into flux and stuff. Thanks!
lead solder isn’t that bad
You’re correct, most solders have an inner core of flux (usually a rosin type).
The smoke that comes from solder is flux, it displaces the oxygen in the air to help insure a nice joint. A lot of people think the smoke contains lead, but lead doesn’t turn into a gas until much higher temperatures. Do wash your hands well after use, though. The most common path for lead exposure is through the mouth & you wouldn’t want to use lead solder then touch food before washing your hands well.
While the lead-free solder is safer than lead, it’s still not good for you. You should use the same precautions.
Lead free solder has lower surface tension and requires a higher temperature (10c or so more) to melt. While lead solder is ‘springy’ and jumps on hot bare metal, lead free solder has less wet-ability. You might want a small can of rosin flux (usually comes in a 1 - 2 ounce bottle) for stubborn joints, but you shouldn’t usually need it.
So even lead-free solders
So even lead-free solders can have an inner core of flux like rosin? I couldn’t tell off hand if this stuff from Jameco (http://www.Jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&pa=668271&productId=668271&cid=PDF) had flux built in or not. Sounds like I can try to solder without buying additional flux and it should work fine. So I’ll start by trying that.
Yea I’ve been reading a bit about lead vs. lead-free solder. I realize it’s the flux in the smoke and not the lead, but with kids in the house I don’t want them accidentally touching some of the lead. Decided I might as well try going lead-free.
Yeah
Just making sure. The flux smoke isn’t really good for you, but it’s not as bad as lead.
The only solder I’ve seen that doesn’t come with integrated flux is bar solder (comes in ingots), used with wave soldering machines or solder pots.
Most lead free solders use fairly active synthetic flux, you might want to remove it after soldering - it’s the clear gunky stuff on your board after soldering. You can remove it with a little isopropyl alcohol. I’ve left it on without problems, but it’s one of those ‘best-practices’.
Your wife is right, you don’t want the youngin’s to ingest lead. Lead free is much safer in case of accidental ingestion.
Yea I don’t doubt the flux
Yea I don’t doubt the flux smoke is bad. In fact I’ve read the lead free solder flux smoke is even worse because it’s more active. So I’m thinking about getting a little fan or something to at least blow the smoke away from my face.
I’ve never heard of bar solder, but I’d guess the solder I’m buying has flux since it’s nothing out of the ordinary. Thanks for the heads up on cleaning the flux off after soldering. Never thought about it much. After some quick reading it seems the danger of leaving it on is it can eat away circuits. Since I’m just tinkering with some robots as a hobby I don’t think I’ll worry about this quite yet. Keepin’ it simple. Thanks for your help though. I think you’ve answered my questions perfectly.
I’m not trying to hijack
I’m not trying to hijack your thread, but does anyone know how well lead-free works with your standard non-adjustable pencil soldering iron?
Maybe
Just depends on how hot the iron gets. 25 Watt or above should be fine.
