quick solder help

[lilcapn]

i know there are multiple threads on making cables...i plan to use them! but if i have solder that's "lead free" -- 95%tin, 5% something else, rosin core, is this OK or do i need to go back out and look for the 60/40 tin/lead stuff?

thanks!

 

[Track Rat]

60/40 rosen core.

 

[Badger]

Find the lead stuff. It works so much better.

 

[lilcapn]

thanks!

should have known that home despot would screw me up.

thanks for the info!

 

[Sennheiser]

Yep. At least RatShack could have done that right.

 

[philboyd studge]

Try not to sniff the smoke too much.

 

[littledog]

all the top tech guys recommend eutectic solder. if i recall, knightfly just reminded me recently that it is 63% lead, 37% tin.

 

[Light]

It's not that Home Depot screwed you on this one, although they do screw a lot of people on a regular basis. They just do not sell electrical solder. They are selling solder for use in plumbing, which is used to join supply lines for the water in your house. You do NOT want lead in your drinking water. Now, if one of there idiot sales people told you it was the right solder for electrical work, then they screwed you. Then again, what were you doing listening to one of those dumb asses for?

Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[lilcapn]

not asking the despot

i never, unless i have to, try and talk to the "helpers" at home despot -- i just bought the solder that says on it "ELECTRICAL SOLDER" figuring, "this is elecrical work," but i guess it's not for audio electrical work, so i gotta go out and find some 60/40 action.

 

[Badger]

A lot of the enviromental types are bitching about the lead in solder, IIRC Radio shack sells both kinds. Home Despot is just playing it safe, they do sell electrical solder, it just sucks. I wouldnt be suprised if lead based solder goes the way of R12 soon.

 

[Sennheiser]

I can't hardly believe that crap. By now, nothing should surprize me anymore.

I have (had) a big roll of 60/40 rosin core from RatShack that has lasted me several years now. I just can't believe that there is that much solder waste flooding the ground and getting into underground reservoirs that it's an environmental issue. Jesus Christ, will this crazy shit never end?

You want to keep your kids safe? Teach them not to eat lead-based solder.

 

[littledog]

Alright you guys, ignore me if you want. But that doesn't chnge the fact that Eutectic 63%-37% is THE shit!

The other important thing is to get a nice thin gauge solder wire. Then it will take minimal heat to melt it. You use some of that plumber's solder that's about 1/4" thick and it takes a blowtorch to melt it, which means you are probably cooking all your circuitry in the process.