[Elecraft] Why Lead Free? (WAS: Solder requests - STOP)

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Ron made several good points, but I want to add another - I have done repair
work on 2 K2s to date that used lead-free solder, and I can tell you that
de-soldering that stuff is no fun - even with my Hakko 808.  Sure the solder
sucks off the side the Hakko is on, but the solder itself apparently does
not conduct heat very well, so after every de-soldering attempt, I had to
reheat the lead from the component side and remove the component (being
careful not to injure the plated thru hole), and then use a stainless steel
needle to open the hole for replacement component.

Perhaps as Ron has pointed out, the lead-free solder technology will improve
with time, but in the meantime, any re-work will be a more difficult chore.
The electronics industry is nearly at a level where they no longer do
re-work at the end of the assembly line - if it doesn't work, it is cheaper
to throw it away, so from an industrial standpoint, they will not have much
incentive to make de-soldering easier.

PS - I truly believe the original statement that "60/40 doesn't exist" was a
tongue-in-cheek remark.  Jack has that 'funny' way with words sometimes, and
I for one appreciate the humor.  I certainly hope it didn't cause any undue
concerns.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> Nick Waterman wrote:
> > I was going to ask, even before this thread... What do Elecraft and
> > "Doctor Solder" recommend now that 60/40 doesn't officially exist?
>
> ----------------------------------------
>
> I don't know what you mean by "60/40 doesn't officially exist". It's still
> being manufactured and readily-available everywhere I've looked.
>
> The Kester 44 that Elecraft recommends is, in particular, still in
> production. See http://tinyurl.com/b44v4 at the Kester web site.
>
> Plug "Kester 44 Solder" into your favorite search engine and you'll get
> pages of hits of places to buy all you want.
>
> It is true that non-lead solder is in use and being developed over time.
> >From what I've seen and read, current formulations have three problems.
>
> One is that it doesn't "wet" surfaces as easily as lead solder. That's a
> minor issue for us Hams, but a MAJOR issue for companies using
> wave-soldering and other automated techniques that must be absolutely
> reliable every time. Still, it means taking more care at all
> times to ensure
> a good joint.
>
> Another issue is that lead-free solder isn't as shiny as leaded
> solder when
> it cools. In fact, it can look exactly like what we've come to know as a
> "cold solder" joint! That means extra care is needed to produce
> good joints.
> We lose some of the visual clues.
>
> Finally, all the lead-free solders I know of require somewhat higher iron
> temperatures than leaded solder. Modern components can handle the
> heat just
> fine in normal use, but removing components can be a bit more difficult
> without damaging pc board traces. Commercial manufacturers seldom face the
> task of removing parts, but us Hams seem to need to do that all too often,
> Hi!
>
> The industry press seems to think the rush to lead-free solder will occur
> when a major consumer electronics manufacturer can offer "lead
> free" devices
> at the same price as others. It's expected that the consumer will
> see it as
> a chance to be "green" at no cost, to the detriment of any
> manufacturer who
> is still using lead-based solders. But there's a reason why most
> manufacturers are using lead solder today.
>
> By the time all the bugs are out of the process for high-speed, reliable
> mass production with lead-free solder, you can bet there'll be excellent
> replacements for us Hams to use instead of the old standbys we've had for
> years.
>
> In the meantime, wash your hands after handling solder and don't
> put solder
> in your mouth. Seriously! I've seen guys stick the end of a length of wire
> solder in their mouth while using both hands during a repair. Not a good
> idea!
>
> But, short of that, there's no real reason not to use the "tried
> and true".
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
>
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