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> Even researching what soldering wire to use is a pain because apparently leaded solder is just so much "better" when it comes to flowing than non-leaded. It j

by belval 5y ago

> Even researching what soldering wire to use is a pain because apparently leaded solder is just so much "better" when it comes to flowing than non-leaded. It just doesn't seem to be taken that seriously at the hobbyist level (whereas my understanding is that industrial processes already have switched to non-leaded solder). I get that it's easier to use, but what about when kids or pets are around, or you forget to wash your hands, or when disposing of it? I guess I fit in the hobbyist you mention here so I'll try to chime in and explain. I use lead solder for my drone repairs and a few small home automation projects. Lead solder is not really dangerous at a hobbyist scale because the usages are spaced enough that even if you weren't washing your hands each month after soldering the measurable lead in your (or people around you) blood stream wouldn't be anywhere near worrying. In a way it's similar to asbestos, while it's 100% bad, the mere fact of studying in a room that has asbestos in the ventilation probably won't have an impact on your health. It's the longer exposure of say a teacher that worked 30 years in that environment that's much more dangerous. There is also the tradeoff of non-leaded solder wire that needs higher temperatures. To compensate you would need to use more flux and that flux is a significant threat to your lungs.

bmitc 5y ago
> There is also the tradeoff of non-leaded solder wire that needs higher temperatures. To compensate you would need to use more flux and that flux is a significant threat to your lungs. From what I've read, I did learn that this is an issue. I'm trying to get a setup going at home, and I've been debating on what to do. I know the lead solder can be mitigated and issues only come from handling it (and not breathing it in), but it gets tougher with things I can't control like kids and pets. Also, what do you do with the parts you've soldered? Does handling these not expose you to lead? I think disposal is still an issue. I think part of my lament is that there just isn't a lot of pressure to find better solder materials for non-industrial use. I'm assuming industrial use has solved problems. Although I can be careful with lead solder at home, it still feels wrong to be buying it and then disposing of it, even through the proper recycling/disposal channels. Lastly, I actually didn't realize until recently that solder had such significant lead portions in it (if I did, I forgot), which means that all the times I handled it at work (admittedly infrequent) was done without that knowledge. That's on me, but that was part of my point that it's in things that may not be clear to people.
- belval 5y ago
  If you are really concerned about flux and lead I would suggest using a lead-free solder with a good (i.e. not the cheap on with "active charcoal filters") fume hood. As far as handling leaded PCB goes I really don't see it as being an issue unless you voluntarily lick it, and even then I am not sure that there would be nefarious consequences (aside from probably getting sick from leftover flux). What I do is just use leaded solder but wash my hands afterwards. I solder about every two weeks so I just don't think it would even show up in a blood work. I don't have children but I suppose you can just lock your supplies somewhere or educate them depending on their age.
kayfox 5y ago
I use Senju M705 alloy solder, it flows fine at reasonable temperatures and their newer flux formulations are less toxic. The development work on lead-free solder continues apace, so there have been a wider and wider array of low temperature lead free alloys on the market in recent years. This differs from the lead solder world a little in that there has only been three or four formulations out there since the 1950s. Personally, I think a lot of the avoidance of lead free solder by hobbiests is based on unfamiliarity with it. Once you have spent significant time working with it you get used to it and can work with it well.

by belval 5y ago

bmitc 5y ago

> There is also the tradeoff of non-leaded solder wire that needs higher temperatures. To compensate you would need to use more flux and that flux is a significant threat to your lungs. From what I've read, I did learn that this is an issue. I'm trying to get a setup going at home, and I've been debating on what to do. I know the lead solder can be mitigated and issues only come from handling it (and not breathing it in), but it gets tougher with things I can't control like kids and pets. Also, what do you do with the parts you've soldered? Does handling these not expose you to lead? I think disposal is still an issue. I think part of my lament is that there just isn't a lot of pressure to find better solder materials for non-industrial use. I'm assuming industrial use has solved problems. Although I can be careful with lead solder at home, it still feels wrong to be buying it and then disposing of it, even through the proper recycling/disposal channels. Lastly, I actually didn't realize until recently that solder had such significant lead portions in it (if I did, I forgot), which means that all the times I handled it at work (admittedly infrequent) was done without that knowledge. That's on me, but that was part of my point that it's in things that may not be clear to people.

belval 5y ago
If you are really concerned about flux and lead I would suggest using a lead-free solder with a good (i.e. not the cheap on with "active charcoal filters") fume hood. As far as handling leaded PCB goes I really don't see it as being an issue unless you voluntarily lick it, and even then I am not sure that there would be nefarious consequences (aside from probably getting sick from leftover flux). What I do is just use leaded solder but wash my hands afterwards. I solder about every two weeks so I just don't think it would even show up in a blood work. I don't have children but I suppose you can just lock your supplies somewhere or educate them depending on their age.

kayfox 5y ago

I use Senju M705 alloy solder, it flows fine at reasonable temperatures and their newer flux formulations are less toxic. The development work on lead-free solder continues apace, so there have been a wider and wider array of low temperature lead free alloys on the market in recent years. This differs from the lead solder world a little in that there has only been three or four formulations out there since the 1950s. Personally, I think a lot of the avoidance of lead free solder by hobbiests is based on unfamiliarity with it. Once you have spent significant time working with it you get used to it and can work with it well.