Choosing a good solder (for my Crackatwoa)

[Paul Birkeland]

If you aren't willing to work with leaded solder, I wouldn't recommend building electronics kits. Yes, lead is toxic. The safety precaution for this is to wash your hands after you're done soldering (and obvious things like not eating while you're soldering, not eating the solder, etc).

Lead free solder flows poorly and is very difficult to work with. I end up with many kits every year on my repair bench that are built with lead-free solder and would have worked properly if the builder had used leaded solder instead.

I'd recommend not overthinking things like this too much...

 

[iBLAMEALCOHOL]

If you aren't willing to work with leaded solder, I wouldn't recommend building electronics kits. Yes, lead is toxic. The safety precaution for this is to wash your hands after you're done soldering (and obvious things like not eating while you're soldering, not eating the solder, etc).

Lead free solder flows poorly and is very difficult to work with. I end up with many kits every year on my repair bench that are built with lead-free solder and would have worked properly if the builder had used leaded solder instead.

I'd recommend not overthinking things like this too much...

I will find out soon enough. I can solder quite well luckily. I will never ever again in my life play with my health again, though.

 

[Jameson]

You're obviously free to use whatever you want in your kit. You asked for advice on the right solder to use and we've provided that advice.

Paul is here to help people understand how to have the highest chance of success building their kits. That includes using the materials best suited for the job. Leaded solder is pretty widely regarded to be safe as long as it's handled with common sense (e.g., good ventilation, diligent hand washing, etc.) Paul's point of view is informed by years of doing this work, and myriad instances of builders failing to construct a working kit because they've used lead-free solder.

So again, feel free to use lead free solder. We do not recommend it.

 

[iBLAMEALCOHOL]

You're obviously free to use whatever you want in your kit. You asked for advice on the right solder to use and we've provided that advice.

Paul is here to help people understand how to have the highest chance of success building their kits. That includes using the materials best suited for the job. Leaded solder is pretty widely regarded to be safe as long as it's handled with common sense (e.g., good ventilation, diligent hand washing, etc.) Paul's point of view is informed by years of doing this work, and myriad instances of builders failing to construct a working kit because they've used lead-free solder.

So again, feel free to use lead free solder. We do not recommend it.

I dont doubt him to be correct in the sense that leaded solder is easier to work with. I could just never risk my health.

 

[Paul Birkeland]

I dont doubt him to be correct in the sense that leaded solder is easier to work with. I could just never risk my health.

What exactly do you think is going to happen to you if you use leaded solder to build a kit?

How are you certain that the lead free solders are any healthier for you?

 

[2wo]

The fumes from some of the lead free solder can be very nasty. If you feel the need to use one, be sure you have excellent ventilation.