Hi, I bough a reel of solder many years ago and I still have plenty left but I keep forgetting where I have put it and can never find it when I need it, so I was thinking of buying a spare. I am bewildered by all the choices out there. What should I choose? It is just for occasional DIY repairs and dabbling. I won't be doing any surface mount work or anything that small. Which width do I need 0.7mm or 1.2mm or doesn't it make much of a difference? From what I can tell, leaded solder cannot be used if you are selling your products but since I will not be selling anything, would you advise me to buy leaded solder rather than a lead-free alternative? I have googled and there seem to be many sites that don't like lead-free but just as many that do, so I don't know what to think about it. Flux or no flux seems to be just as controversial. TIA

How big are the 'jobs' component parts? Lead every time. Lead-free is the work of some nasty person. And the ecological benefits are very marginal. The fact that medical and aeronautical/aerospace are 'allowed' leaded must tell you something! (Except if plumbing you are 'supposed' to use lead free as it will dissolve in the water and dissolve your brain allegedly ...) Flux cored if electronics stuff (if pipe-work flux free). HTH

Which solder for electronics?

Feb 22, 2013 81 Replies

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geoff 13 years ago

I know exactly the model you mean- I'm sure my father's old one must be cicking around somewhere

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geoff 13 years ago

No dense - you're wrong

I've done it out in SE Asia - they are charcoal and very much not just ashes

I don't recall ever seeing actual real coal out there

A simple "yes I got it wrong" would suffice

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