Lead free solder

[bigwill]

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]

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

 

[bigwill]

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]

Buy yourself some heatsink pliers.

Such as

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=3930&TabID=1&source=15&WorldID=&doy=15m3

Goodlife

 

[bigwill]

I think this'll do the job. Thanks.

 

[tiroth]

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]

You could also wear examination gloves.

 

[bigwill]

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

 

[scott wurcer]

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]

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.

 

[thomas997]

Yeah the fumes are probably much worse than just handling lead solder...

Even then its only a problem if your licking your fingers or something, then I guess a tiny bit gets ingested.


I bet the lead free stuff has bad fumes too, setup a simple fan or work with an open window at least.

 

[ljordan]

Bigwill

get some multicore TSC(tin silver copper)-with crystal602(you can eat this flux) flux.
I could not buy a less than 10 lbs quanity.
Called Loctite, they sent me samples.
You can order it easy from Europe.$$
Lots of OCD'ers Over there.

Lewis