Lead-free solder?

[the_carl]

Whereabouts do you guys source lead-free solder for cheeps? I know that leaded is generally easier to work with and is better fumes-wise, but I'd like to at least try lead-free when my spool of 60/40 runs out. The stuff on Mammoth and what I can find on Digikey seems really expensive, compared to leaded anyway.

[Jero]

I have some I can send you for free. It's not a whole roll or anything, but you can get a couple pedals done with it. Enough to get an idea if it's something you want to buy.

Personally, I hate working with the stuff.

[the_carl]

Aw, thanks dude! Do you know what composition it is? I've read stuff about higher silver content being better, as well as tin-silver-copper alloys.

I guess the better question is, what compositions/brands of lead-free solder do people like?

[McSpunckle]

Lead free is kinda tricky, yo. I actually don't find it any harder to work with (for some really tight layouts I find it easier, actually), but there are a few different alloys, and some suck more than others.

I have a 1/2 pound spool of SAC305 no-clean that I don't really need. The stuff works well, but it's harder on the soldering iron. The cheap stuff is usually Tin/Copper, and that stuff is... kinda awful.

What I've been using is Kester K100. The stuff is pretty awesome. No silver (which makes lead-free solder worse for the environment), and it wets really well, and it's easier on your soldering tip than typical stuff. But it's kinda expensive, just 'cause it's Kester.

... If I wasn't so sick I'd be more detailed. But my fingers are tired now. Bye. < 3

[D-Rainger]

Definitely try it before you buy it.
I bought a reel of it, couldn't do a thing with it - thought my soldering iron bit had died...! Now I travel quite a distance to get hold of the leaded stuff 'for maintenance' (that's the only reason you're allowed to buy it in the UK )

[RR Bigman]

Good luck with that man, it's a bit of a transition after using leaded solder...we have to use the lead free stuff at school and it makes me want to beat my face off the floor.

[Gigahearts_FX]

Definitely try it before you buy it.
I bought a reel of it, couldn't do a thing with it - thought my soldering iron bit had died...! Now I travel quite a distance to get hold of the leaded stuff 'for maintenance' (that's the only reason you're allowed to buy it in the UK )

There are suppliers of proper solder on Amazon, thats what I use for FX building.

Sod RoHS