Lead solder?

Strat_a_tat_tat

I'm making up a few cables (mic cables etc) and, in the past, I've used Multicore brand solder - which I think contains lead.

Is it still legal to buy and use such solder... or do I have to use lead-free?

FX_Munkee

AFAIK it's still legal to buy and use unless you're planning on selling the finished product.

Kittyfrisk

From the HSE.

Illegal supply of Lead-containing solder to the General Public

HSE have become aware that a number of retailers have been supplying solders containing lead to the general public.

A harmonised classification for lead was agreed and published in 2016 [Regulation (EU) 2016/1179] and this came into effect on the 1st March 2018.  

As a consequence, the sale of metallic lead or mixtures containing lead (at greater than or equal to 0.3%) to the general public is prohibited [Article 67 of REACH; & Restriction 30 in Annex XVII]. 

If you have some lead based solder, hand it & yourself in to your local police station & expect a lengthy sentence with hard labour.

Or, use it in a well ventilated area for small jobs & we'll say no more about it 

ICBM

Use high silver content (3% or greater) lead-free. It works just as well.

Philly_Q

Do they have the same regulations in the States? 

I bought a prewired Strat harness from 920D Custom and asked them what solder they used, because I wanted to be consistent - it turned out to be old-fashioned lead-based solder (although they probably call it sodder).

sixstringsupplies

Philly_Q said:

Do they have the same regulations in the States? 

I bought a prewired Strat harness from 920D Custom and asked them what solder they used, because I wanted to be consistent - it turned out to be old-fashioned lead-based solder (although they probably call it sodder).

Yes it’s completely fine in the states.

certain products on the stew Mac website won’t allow you to add to cart if you’re based in the EU (because of the above mentioned regulation. 

Sesh

Just use rhythm solder instead.

Henrytwang

Over the years I’ve managed to buy several large reels of lead solder and use it for all my electronics work. I prefer old fashioned lead to the new stuff, I find it easier to work with and in my opinion makes a better joint.

Sassafras

Is there such a thing as gold solder, possibly sold by the higher end audiophile shops?

MartinBush

It appears that you can still buy solder with lead on ebay. For some applications, such as repairing vintage gear (valve radios in my experience, but I expect it applies to vintage guitar gear), modern solder does not work properly.

For making new cables anything would work.

Sesh

Sassafras said:j

Is there such a thing as gold solder, possibly sold by the higher end audiophile shops?

Yes, I know Gold Tin solder exists, but the melting point is probably to high to be useful, being over 400C.

ICBM

MartinBush said:

It appears that you can still buy solder with lead on ebay. For some applications, such as repairing vintage gear (valve radios in my experience, but I expect it applies to vintage guitar gear), modern solder does not work properly.

I don’t do vintage radios, but I’ve never had a problem with added-silver lead-free solder, on anything going back to 1940s guitar amps.

Non-silvered lead-free is crap though.

PhilW1

Don't lick it!

maltingsaudio

Just say you use for repairing organ pipes, that got an exemption!

clarkefan

ICBM said:

Use high silver content (3% or greater) lead-free. It works just as well.

Thanks for this. I don't solder stuff much but I learned a long time ago that lead-free solder is shit in capital letters, and I don't have much of the good stuff left.

equalsql

PhilW1 said:

Don't lick it!

Apparently It's fine to lick.. cos It never hurt  'The Woz'  *

see: 2:50 into the video

* Nope it's not fine to lick.

equalsql

ICBM said:

Use high silver content (3% or greater) lead-free. It works just as well.

Does it require a much higher melting point?

Kittyfrisk

^ Silver solder melting point is only about 20+ degrees higher than lead types.

The issue with electronics seems to be related to the relative fragility/brittleness of non lead solder, giving higher failure rates due to dry joints & micro fractures.
Also the lead type apparently suffers less from crystallisation/whiskering effects.
I'd use silver unleaded if I were working with solder a lot, but leaded for occasional convenience.
YMMV 

ICBM

PhilW1 said:

Don't lick it!

And more seriously, never grind leaded solder with something like a Dremel - fine airborne lead dust is extremely toxic.

lysander

I bought a couple of reels of leaded solder about 12 years ago and expect it to last my lifetime considering my usage is pretty occasional.

MartinBush

As it's for leads use whatever you have to hand. Whatever the different properties of the different sorts, I expect the solder will last longer than the leads (if its guitar leads).