Not all lead free solder is the same, though even the best that I have used
is not as good in terms of flow as leaded. The best formulation that I have
found is Sn 96.5, Ag 3.0, Cu 0.5 that I got from Mitsubishi. It only
requires a slightly higher temp than normal, about 30 degrees.

Leonard

"audiodir" wrote in message
news:FrMIf.22597$0H1.18375@trnddc04...
I haven't kept up with this thread, but I have been using lead free solder
for over 5 years now. I had to jack up the tip tmeperatures to 700 degrees
in order to get good flow. A touch of standard external flux helps a lot. I
use smaller guage solder also, flows better.
I do keep standard solder on the bench. I once, early on, did an amplifier
repair and the customer who picked it up returned it sayng that the side I
had repaired sounded so much better he wanted me to fix the other side. I
had used the lead free solder on the repair. I replaced the lead free with
standard solder and both sider were equal and he was happy.
I do admit, I hated the lead free in the beginning, but I've become used
to it and can work around it's mlimitations. I do cheap a bit and
sometimes tin old joints with leaded solder before applying lead fee.


Stu