[MRCG] Lead free "solder"

[Mark J. Blair]

I don’t know about the tin whiskers, but I have an impression that they may have addressed them with different alloys. I prefer the leaded solder for its lower melt temperature. Makes it easier to do hand rework without damaging PCB pads, especially for repeated rework like I have to do on prototype boards. 63/37 tin/lead makes a prettier joint. The smaller the joint, the more likely it is that some liquid flux will help. Lead-free is fine for something that’s going through a reflow oven one time, but I don’t like it for hand rework.

For my own prototypes, I’ll use 63/37 even for something where I’m going to stencil on paste and hot air reflow. Within the last very few years, paste stencils have become cheap and easy even for hobbyists. First the kapton film stencils, and now even laser cut stainless steel ones. 

A good temperature controlled soldering station is vital for hand rework of little SMD stuff. With a quick tip swap, the same iron works just as well on a big tube socket joint. 
But I don’t need the stereo microscope for the tube socket joint yet. :)

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Mark J. Blair <nf6x at nf6x.net>
http://www.nf6x.net