| The lead-free solder is better in that it doesn't contain lead, which is poisonous. That's important in terms of the environment you're working in (exposing yourself to hazardous materials) and in terms of what you put in the landfill or wherever you dispose of your materials after they die. But the lead-based solder will be much easier for you to work with and get a reliable solder joint, so your cables don't crap out and end up in the trash.
And as long as you take care with your solder, clean up after yourself, and keep it away from children, there's not a real safety hazard with the lead. For example, don't solder at the kitchen table where your kids eat their breakfast. Long story short, probably use the lead-based solder. Unless you want to sell your work in Europe. |