On 20 Apr 2014 11:18:35 GMT, c4urs11 wrote:

On Sat, 19 Apr 2014 22:00:11 -0400, krw wrote:

Short answer: No. ;-)

I fully agree.

Agreed. Unleaded solder is difficult to work with. I have up long
ago and use 63/37 Pb/Sn for rework. The only catch is that I have
suck up the Unleaded solder before applying the Pb/Sn solder. It's an
antique, but it does the job:
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/pace-desoldering-station.jpg

We do a lot of SMD prototyping and occasional repair work.
You need the assistance of a few aids to make it workable.
Google for "solder tinner cleaner" and look at the images.

I think you mean "solder tip tinner cleaner".
https://www.google.com/search?q=solder+tip+tinner+cleaner&tbm=isch

These tiny metal "cleaner" cans are essential.

Agreed. Even Radio Shack carries them.

Poke an iron in it and the tip will shine as if there was
lead in the solder.
Before poking you will want to rub the tip off in a metal sponge.
You need to get used to do this more often than with lead solder.

I've been doing that for years and have noticed that my tip life is
less. The higher temperature of the 850F Weller tips that I use for
unleaded, which are hotter than the 750F tips I use for Pb/Sn, might
explain the shorter life. Also, I formerly had two different
soldering irons for each type of solder. However, cleaning the tip
with the "cleaner" has let me use only one soldering iron.

I confess we keep a spool of dark age solder.
Patience has its limits.

When RoHS appeared, I expected to have Pb/Sn solder declared a
controlled or hazardous substance, making availability difficult. So,
I stocked up with four 1 lb rolls of various sizes of 63/37 activated
rosin core solder, which would be about a 10 year supply at my minimal
use level. The disappearance never happened, but at least I have good
solder when I need it.


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558