In SX Microcontrollers, SX/B Compiler and SX-Key Tool, pwillard wrote:

I mention this beacuse of the SX-KEY production issue.
 

I made the mistake of buying new tips and solder at Fry's to assemble my new toner-transfer method SX-28 surface mount project boards .  So far, 1 out of 3 worked. I'm just wasting parts now and I'm starting to blame the lead free solder...


 

I'ts really a shame that leaded solders get such a bad reputation as being hazardous.  Me with my conspiracy theories say that this lead free campaign that is attacking leaded solder is yet another EU and far east plot to screw with the rest of the world. Let me remove my tinfoil cap... ok ok  I was kidding about conspiracies.  :)

 

 

As Chip said in the SX-KEY thread, the new alloys have higher melting temperatures.  They wet the metal surfaces a lot more slowly not to mention how much fun I'm *not* having with the new lead free soldering iron tips. This new behavior is something I do not enjoy when working with SMD in my hobby-lab.  I personally dislike that the joints look different from what my years of experience taught me.  I was PC board assembler and Wave Solder operator starting in the late 1970's. I know what a good joint looks like by now.  The new soldered surfaces are not as reflective as tin-lead joints and I keep thinking they are messed up cold solder joints.  Oh, and If I might add... I've had enough exposure to solder in my life that I should have an addled brain by now if we believe the hype.  My biggest gripe is that the fluxes and cleaners that worked well with a leaded solder are maybe not good for for lead-free soldering and I have no idea what works best yet.  Everyone has to deal with this now.

 

Long Live leaded solder!  I guess I'm in the "I hate when things change" camp... eh?

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