Lead free solder

bigwill · 15th March 2005, 06:40 PM

I've just purchased some lead free solder for my venture into electronics, but I've been told that the higher tempuratures required to melt it can damage components. I'm too paranoid to use lead solder because of lead exposure, so what can I do to prevent damage to my components?

454Casull · 15th March 2005, 06:57 PM

If you use leaded solder, just don't touch it unnecessarily and wash your hands after each soldering session.

bigwill · 15th March 2005, 07:03 PM

I have a case of OCD when it comes to dealing with poisonous substances

I'm not an anti germ freak or anything, just very careful when it comes to things like lead and other horrible poisons

goodlife · 15th March 2005, 07:04 PM

Buy yourself some heatsink pliers.

Such as

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ldID=&doy=15m3

Goodlife

bigwill · 15th March 2005, 07:06 PM

I think this'll do the job. Thanks.

tiroth · 15th March 2005, 07:15 PM

Lead is actually not that poisonous compared to many other things you commonly will come into contact with. It is a danger primarily to developing children (affects brain development). There are probably various compounds in the flux that are much worse.

As 454Casull indicated, the primary vector is oral. Don't eat while soldering and wash afterwards.

Bill Fitzpatrick · 15th March 2005, 07:23 PM

You could also wear examination gloves.

bigwill · 15th March 2005, 07:27 PM

I'll have a go with lead free + heatsinks for now, I think

scott wurcer · 15th March 2005, 08:00 PM

One of my oldest electronics related items is my 5lb spool of Kester 44, 36 years and still a little left. I scare myself sometimes and think that it might really have been the lifetime supply. I confess to have held a little in my teeth now and then when in a jamb.

SY · 15th March 2005, 08:10 PM

I figure that if I can drink wine from lead crystal glass, a little oral third-hand with the solder now and again will get lost in the noise.

I've been inhaling lead solder fumes for years and it hastn affceted mea bitt.

15th March 2005, 06:40 PM	#1
bigwill diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK	Lead free solder I've just purchased some lead free solder for my venture into electronics, but I've been told that the higher tempuratures required to melt it can damage components. I'm too paranoid to use lead solder because of lead exposure, so what can I do to prevent damage to my components?

15th March 2005, 08:10 PM	#10
SY diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX Blog Entries: 1	I figure that if I can drink wine from lead crystal glass, a little oral third-hand with the solder now and again will get lost in the noise. I've been inhaling lead solder fumes for years and it hastn affceted mea bitt. __________________ "...we stumble and get up, we are sad, confident, insecure, feel loneliness and joy and love. There is nothing more; but I want nothing more.” - Christopher Hitchens 1949-2011

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15th March 2005, 06:57 PM	#2
454Casull diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada	If you use leaded solder, just don't touch it unnecessarily and wash your hands after each soldering session.

15th March 2005, 07:03 PM	#3
bigwill diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK	I have a case of OCD when it comes to dealing with poisonous substances I'm not an anti germ freak or anything, just very careful when it comes to things like lead and other horrible poisons

15th March 2005, 07:04 PM	#4
goodlife diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2004	Buy yourself some heatsink pliers. Such as http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...ldID=&doy=15m3 Goodlife

15th March 2005, 07:06 PM	#5
bigwill diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK	I think this'll do the job. Thanks.

15th March 2005, 07:15 PM	#6
tiroth diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA	Lead is actually not that poisonous compared to many other things you commonly will come into contact with. It is a danger primarily to developing children (affects brain development). There are probably various compounds in the flux that are much worse. As 454Casull indicated, the primary vector is oral. Don't eat while soldering and wash afterwards.

15th March 2005, 07:23 PM	#7
Bill Fitzpatrick diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Eugene, OR	You could also wear examination gloves.

15th March 2005, 07:27 PM	#8
bigwill diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: UK	I'll have a go with lead free + heatsinks for now, I think

15th March 2005, 08:00 PM	#9
scott wurcer diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: cambridge ma	One of my oldest electronics related items is my 5lb spool of Kester 44, 36 years and still a little left. I scare myself sometimes and think that it might really have been the lifetime supply. I confess to have held a little in my teeth now and then when in a jamb.

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