Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




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hmmm, I have recently had the same discussion with my XYL, we have a 1 yr
old.

My self and another NASA trained ham, N9AEP, just completed teaching a
soldering class for our ham club, Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club.

The EU is going to require all soldering to be Pb free in 2004, I believe
that all US manufacturers will be required to do so in '06. I'm sure I'll be
corrected on the dates.

Your note brings 3 comments to mind:

1. Please use a 35-50 watt iron for your soldering work. You want to heat
the junction as quickly as possible and minimize the length of time that the
joint is heated. In soldering 40w for 1 second is going to heat a component
FAR less than 10w for 4 seconds. example your hand can deal with 600 degrees
for 1 second but not 150 for 4, you would be scalded.

2. Flux in solder is organic. In most manufacturing situations the rosin
flux is kept temperature controlled until use to preserve it. You want to
buy the smallest quantity you can quickly use. Don't buy a large spool of
solder and then store it for years. It is recommended that for maximum
effect that the rosin be 6mths old. If you have to use old solder then buy
a flux pen, this will greatly help the flow and adhesion of your joints.

3. Kester solder has a good repository of info, taken w/salt, at their site,
www.kester.com. This includes alloy, melting point, application notes.

BTW, Pb vaporizes at 1749C or 3180.2F

KC9EII
"The Eternal Squire" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such
as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03

hmmm, I have recently had the same discussion with my XYL, we have a 1 yr
old.

My self and another NASA trained ham, N9AEP, just completed teaching a
soldering class for our ham club, Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club.

The EU is going to require all soldering to be Pb free in 2004, I believe
that all US manufacturers will be required to do so in '06. I'm sure I'll be
corrected on the dates.

Your note brings 3 comments to mind:

1. Please use a 35-50 watt iron for your soldering work. You want to heat
the junction as quickly as possible and minimize the length of time that the
joint is heated. In soldering 40w for 1 second is going to heat a component
FAR less than 10w for 4 seconds. example your hand can deal with 600 degrees
for 1 second but not 150 for 4, you would be scalded.

2. Flux in solder is organic. In most manufacturing situations the rosin
flux is kept temperature controlled until use to preserve it. You want to
buy the smallest quantity you can quickly use. Don't buy a large spool of
solder and then store it for years. It is recommended that for maximum
effect that the rosin be 6mths old. If you have to use old solder then buy
a flux pen, this will greatly help the flow and adhesion of your joints.

3. Kester solder has a good repository of info, taken w/salt, at their site,
www.kester.com. This includes alloy, melting point, application notes.

BTW, Pb vaporizes at 1749C or 3180.2F

KC9EII
"The Eternal Squire" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such
as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03

"The Eternal Squire" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such
as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire


You can check the Kester web site on the lead-free update
http://www.kester.com/leadfree_update.htm

Even without lead content, breathing flux fumes from solder can cause
respiratory irritation/problems.

Kester Recommendations
http://www.kester.com/recommendations_leadfree.htm

Alloy temperature guide
http://www.kester.com/alloy_temp_chart.html

w9gb

"The Eternal Squire" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such
as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire


You can check the Kester web site on the lead-free update
http://www.kester.com/leadfree_update.htm

Even without lead content, breathing flux fumes from solder can cause
respiratory irritation/problems.

Kester Recommendations
http://www.kester.com/recommendations_leadfree.htm

Alloy temperature guide
http://www.kester.com/alloy_temp_chart.html

w9gb

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

Jeff Spidle j_spidle(at)comcast(dot)net wrote in message
...
hmmm, I have recently had the same discussion with my XYL, we have a 1 yr
old.

My self and another NASA trained ham, N9AEP, just completed teaching a
soldering class for our ham club, Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club.

The EU is going to require all soldering to be Pb free in 2004, I believe
that all US manufacturers will be required to do so in '06. I'm sure I'll
be
corrected on the dates.

Your note brings 3 comments to mind:

1. Please use a 35-50 watt iron for your soldering work. You want to heat
the junction as quickly as possible and minimize the length of time that
the
joint is heated. In soldering 40w for 1 second is going to heat a
component
FAR less than 10w for 4 seconds. example your hand can deal with 600
degrees
for 1 second but not 150 for 4, you would be scalded.

2. Flux in solder is organic. In most manufacturing situations the rosin
flux is kept temperature controlled until use to preserve it. You want to
buy the smallest quantity you can quickly use. Don't buy a large spool of
solder and then store it for years. It is recommended that for maximum
effect that the rosin be 6mths old. If you have to use old solder then
buy
a flux pen, this will greatly help the flow and adhesion of your joints.

3. Kester solder has a good repository of info, taken w/salt, at their
site,
www.kester.com. This includes alloy, melting point, application notes.

BTW, Pb vaporizes at 1749C or 3180.2F

KC9EII
"The Eternal Squire" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby,
such
as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder
wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03






---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03

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

Jeff Spidle j_spidle(at)comcast(dot)net wrote in message
...
hmmm, I have recently had the same discussion with my XYL, we have a 1 yr
old.

My self and another NASA trained ham, N9AEP, just completed teaching a
soldering class for our ham club, Schaumburg Amateur Radio Club.

The EU is going to require all soldering to be Pb free in 2004, I believe
that all US manufacturers will be required to do so in '06. I'm sure I'll
be
corrected on the dates.

Your note brings 3 comments to mind:

1. Please use a 35-50 watt iron for your soldering work. You want to heat
the junction as quickly as possible and minimize the length of time that
the
joint is heated. In soldering 40w for 1 second is going to heat a
component
FAR less than 10w for 4 seconds. example your hand can deal with 600
degrees
for 1 second but not 150 for 4, you would be scalded.

2. Flux in solder is organic. In most manufacturing situations the rosin
flux is kept temperature controlled until use to preserve it. You want to
buy the smallest quantity you can quickly use. Don't buy a large spool of
solder and then store it for years. It is recommended that for maximum
effect that the rosin be 6mths old. If you have to use old solder then
buy
a flux pen, this will greatly help the flow and adhesion of your joints.

3. Kester solder has a good repository of info, taken w/salt, at their
site,
www.kester.com. This includes alloy, melting point, application notes.

BTW, Pb vaporizes at 1749C or 3180.2F

KC9EII
"The Eternal Squire" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby,
such
as
the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder
wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to
take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they
recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03






---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03

The Eternal Squire wrote:

Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such
as the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable
cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03

May I suggest a fume-hood or some other sort of exhaust fan at your
workstation?

--
Donovan Hill
VA7LNX (Basic, Advanced)

The Eternal Squire wrote:

Hello everyone,

My wife and I had been 'discussing' some of the effects of my hobby, such
as the possible exposure of my 2-month old baby girl to lead vapor from
soldering.
I typically have been using coventional 2% silver electronics solder wire
with
my 12 watt pencil. I do a few connections every day, but my wife wants
to take absolutely no chances, and on reflection, I don't really want to
either.

I'd like to know if here is anyone in the homebrew community who uses
lead-free solder for fine electronics work, what brands or compositions
they recommend, and where such can be obtained retail for a reasonable
cost.

Oh, yes, and can someone lend me a yard of it until I can afford my own
large spool?

Thanks in advance,

The Eternal Squire




---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.551 / Virus Database: 343 - Release Date: 12/11/03

May I suggest a fume-hood or some other sort of exhaust fan at your
workstation?

--
Donovan Hill
VA7LNX (Basic, Advanced)

Makes you wonder how me and many of my friends kept a piece of 60/40 in our
mouths to prevent it getting confused with a chunk of wire for 40-50 years.
Cannot think of a thing to sue Kester for. Must be something!
(broke=not working, retired=not working, retired=broke)