Recommended Lead Free Solder?

[richieeee]

Hi

I'm getting an Antex 15 watt C15 soldering iron for my son (and myself) for Christmas and I'd prefer that we use lead free solder. Does anyone have any recommendations of a particular type of lead free solder, diameter, materials, that works with circuit board soldering and a 15 watt iron? The choice seems vast, but I'm looking for the easiest to use. I've done a search and previous posts recommend lead based solder is the easiest to use, but I'm hoping someone has experience with a particular lead free solder to recommend, without resorting to lead based. I'm in the UK.

thanks in advance
Rich

[mahjongg]

why lead free solder?

There is no (legal) reason to use lead free solder, not even for commercial rework, certainly not for hobby purposes.
Lead free solder will only make it harder for you, as almost all of them have a higher melting point than leaded solder!

That said perhaps this is a reasonable choice, with a relatively low melting point, useable thickness, and reasonable price:
http://nl.farnell.com/multicomp/812001/ ... dp/1015453

[richieeee]

Thanks for link. I particularly wanted lead free solder as I've got him a Velleman Pong game kit to get him started and wanted to avoid him handling lead whilst building and playing the game.

Rich

[redhawk]

Well it's not 100% lead usually 60% tin 40% lead mix I would be more concerned about harmful fumes from melting flux.
If you're worried about lead poisoning then wear gloves or make sure you wash your hands periodically when handling the stuff.

Richard S.

[Jessie]

Only use lead free solder if you are a masochist. Or if you are just so good at soldering that you want a challenge. I suppose if you are worried about someone eating it. I got a free tube of lead free with my last soldering iron and I was getting tons of cold broken joints. After a little copper wick and some 5% lead solder everything was fixed. I would venture to say that lead-free works best with machines in an controlled environment.

Checking Adafruit.com the lead-free they sell has a rosin core which I have not tried. But given that they are a site that sells to hackers and hobbyists that is the type of lead-free you should be looking for.

[Raspberry Paul]

I tried Maplins lead free solder and had loads of issues (also using an Altec 15 iron). Never knew too much about solder, but the bit became very black, and soldering was extreamly difficult and frustraighting. Bought a 3 pack of new bits for the end of the iron and they ended up with the same issue. Finally got hold of some "multicore" solder which is described as "5 Cores Ersin Flux". Soldering became much easier and much less frustraighting

[Jednorozec]

If you're worried about the dangers of lead then take a look at this page http://www-bdnew.fnal.gov/esh/newsletter/lead.html.

[mahjongg]

Yes, the fumes from burning flux are the bigger hazard than the lead in the solder, so suck away the fumes with a ventilator!
And wash your hands, after soldering, but that more something you may want to do when handling solder paste, rather than solder wire.