In article ,
"The Eternal Squire" wrote:

Maybe I should rephrase the question: are there any hams out there
actually *using* lead-free solder, and what is thier favorite kind.


I haven't. But you must be very careful. Read the following quote from
a paper on non-lead solders. Although directed at one combination, it
illustrates the problems inherent with mixing differing solder types.

When com-bined with a lead-containing solder metallization, on the PCB or the
component terminations, a small amount of tin-lead-bismuth eutectic alloy
will form. This resultant alloy has a melting temperature of only 960C
(2040F)! Because many temperature-cycling regimens do cycle up to 1250C
(25T-F), this presents an obvious problem. As a result, tin-bismuth-silver
has been abandoned until the electronics industry is certain that all lead
has been "purged" from electronics manufacturing. This is expected to take at
least five or ten years.


Al

--
There's never enough time to do it right the first time.......