Tweakers' Asylum

• In direct answer - unclestu52 13:25:37 02/21/06 (6)
  In Reply to: Re: How is the lead free solder... posted by Ace3275 on February 21, 2006 at 12:27:38:

  I believe both Cardas and WBT solders are eutectic, and not lead free.
  I've been using lead free solders in various formulations now for over 5 years. Everything Ace say above is basically true.
  I use lead free on lead joints with no problem, however, but the sound does change! I sometimes tin NOS parts with leaded solder before soldering the parts together as leaded solder has significantly better wetting characteristics.
  As Ace points out, it helps to have additional flux when soldering parts together, particularly nickle plated stuff and large components (binding posts, etc). The flux of the lead free reacts with the leaded flux if you simply have solder sucked the old leaded stuff out, or perhaps the unleaded stuff has more flux. Either way, I do a lot more cleaning up after using lead free.

  Still, the performance gains of lead free are significant.

  
  Stu
  
  

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  • Thank you, and - wheezer 13:29:25 02/22/06 (1)
    In Reply to: In direct answer posted by unclestu52 on February 21, 2006 at 13:25:37:

    I've seen WBT solder on some websites, listed as lead free. Michael Percy and thlaudio, are a couple. But not on WBT's.
    
    

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    • Unless - unclestu52 18:45:36 02/22/06 (0)
      In Reply to: Thank you, and posted by wheezer on February 22, 2006 at 13:29:25:

      WBT has recently changed their formulation, their solder is definitely not lead free. It cools with the distinctive bright shine, and flows far too easily for lead free. Its characteristics are far more akin to a eutectic solder than a lead free. I am a WBT dealer and I can only remember WBT stating that they use a halogen free rosin, and nothing about being lead free.

      
      Stu
      
      

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  • WBT - Mark Kelly 19:37:09 02/21/06 (3)
    In Reply to: In direct answer posted by unclestu52 on February 21, 2006 at 13:25:37:

    That's an interesting point Stu, I can't find any direct statement from WBT themselves that their solder is lead free. I have just emailed them, we'll see what they say.
    

    Mark Kelly
    
    

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    • Confirmed - Mark Kelly 13:21:44 02/23/06 (2)
      In Reply to: WBT posted by Mark Kelly on February 21, 2006 at 19:37:09:

      The WBT contains lead, despite having been advertised as "lead free" by several vendors including Michael Percy.
      

      Mark Kelly
      
      

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      • Thanks (nt) - wheezer 23:05:11 02/23/06 (0)
        In Reply to: Confirmed posted by Mark Kelly on February 23, 2006 at 13:21:44:

        
        
        

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      • thanks (nt) - unclestu52 15:23:15 02/23/06 (0)
        In Reply to: Confirmed posted by Mark Kelly on February 23, 2006 at 13:21:44:

        stu
        
        

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