[Elecraft] Leaded or non-leaded solder

[Don Wilhelm]

Raymond,

I typically set my soldering station at 750 degF and have not had a 
problem regardless of the board.
If you are soldering temperature sensitive ICs, you may want to lower 
the temperature a bit, but for normal soldering of passive components, 
the higher temperature makes the task quicker.
The board will not be harmed by the higher temperature, and that is true 
for ROHS or non ROHS boards.
Where you have to be careful with temperature on the boards is with 
boards that do not have thru-plated holes where excessive temperature 
can lift PC traces and solder pads.

There is a balance between temperature and soldering time.  If you can 
get the iron on the connection and see the solder flow in 2 to 3 
seconds, little harm will be done, but if you must maintain heat on a 
connection for more than 5 seconds that is when potential damage to the 
board or the component is possible.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/11/2016 10:47 AM, Raymond METZGER wrote:
> Hi Don,
>
> Thank you for your mail. I'm happy with your recommended solution. But I
> have an additional question : what temperature do you recommend for
> soldering a part with leaded solder on a ROHS board ?
> I my personal notes, inspired by what I read on the Elecraft Web site when I
> built my K2-100 in 2006-2007, I see 600 ° to 650 ° F for soldering and 700 °
> F for desoldering. But these temperatures were for leaded solder on non ROHS
> parts.
>
> And thank you for your phenomenal reactivity and commitment vis-à-vis the
> Elecraft community !
> Raymond, F4FNT
>
>>> The Elecraft boards comply with ROHS. You can use leaded solder.  The
> solder used on the Elecraft boards is non-leaded, but leaded solder will mix
> with it just fine.  I have used it many times.
>>> The problem with hand soldering with non-lead solder is that it does not
> flow well, so I stay away from it for my work.
>>> 73, Don W3FPR
>
>
>