Quote:
Originally Posted by DeadPoet  In the 'contains lead' department there's
Sn60Pb38Cu2 (comes in a 'green' version as well - supposed to have less smoke, €13 for 500gr/1mm)
Sn40Pb
Sn62PbAg2 (€30 for 100gr/0,35mm !!!)
'lead-free':
Sn99Cu1 (€19 for 500gr/1mm)
Sn95,5Ag3,8Cu0,7 (€50 for 500gr/1mm) |
You've found yourself some pretty lousy prices there, I think (doing Euro/$ and gr/oz conversions in my head). I would shop around.
Personally, I would not choose the Sn99Cu1 formulation because I've found that tin/copper formulations are very difficult to solder with. The Sn95.5Ag3.8Cu0.7 formula is much better, it's what our assembly guy uses on our stuff and when I have to, I use it myself. It's still more difficult to hand-solder with than the lead-based stuff. I've never used the tin-lead-copper stuff, but tin-lead works just fine and tin-lead-silver is nicer but not necessarily necessary. So FIRST ask yourself whether or not it's important to YOU to go lead free. If it is, I recommend the tin-silver-copper. If you're okay with using lead, then just decide whether or not you want to splurge on the silver.