Anyone soldering with lead free?

[Geoff C]

Interested to know about experiences with hand soldering from people who
have done more than just a few joints. Some say the weller WTCP type irons
are no good because of temp cycles. What irons are acceptable in your
experience? Is SAC solder the way to go? Any rework stories?

I am not worried about compliance yet since our industry is exempt, but
component issues will force our hand. I fear from some of the experts I
have come accross that they are not so knowledgeable.

 

[Ed-]

slightly higher temp is needed.
often looks like a dry joint, as slower to solidify.
cleaner component leads required or extra flux needed - rs sells a
bottle cheaply.
can rework 60/40 ok
better for ones health, pb is for mugs


: Interested to know about experiences with hand soldering from people
who
: have done more than just a few joints. Some say the weller WTCP type
irons
: are no good because of temp cycles. What irons are acceptable in your
: experience? Is SAC solder the way to go? Any rework stories?
:
: I am not worried about compliance yet since our industry is exempt,
but
: component issues will force our hand. I fear from some of the experts
I
: have come accross that they are not so knowledgeable.

 

[Adam Seidel]

Interested to know about experiences with hand soldering from people who
have done more than just a few joints. Some say the weller WTCP type irons
are no good because of temp cycles. What irons are acceptable in your
experience? Is SAC solder the way to go? Any rework stories?

I am not worried about compliance yet since our industry is exempt, but
component issues will force our hand. I fear from some of the experts I
have come accross that they are not so knowledgeable.

We have gradually been using lead free components for 12 months I'd say as
most manufacturers have been changing over in the background. No major
quality or process problems with our standard Pb solders and pastes.

We will be going full Pb free on selected customers come July and should be
pretty seamless, apart from the mega loads of components we have that are
non Pb free left over

Adam

 

[Simon Scott]

Adam Seidel wrote:

We will be going full Pb free on selected customers come July and should
be pretty seamless, apart from the mega loads of components we have that
are non Pb free left over

You could always hand em out to those of us who dont care. Ahem.

 

[Mark Harriss]

We will be going full Pb free on selected customers come July and should be
pretty seamless, apart from the mega loads of components we have that are
non Pb free left over

Adam

You could always start a new surplus component company like Rockby
only with more reasonable prices.