Lead Free Solder

[tube power]

I've got several rolls of lead free plumbing solder left over from a building project.

Any problem using it for electronics?

[nashvillebill]

Yes. DON'T USE IT.

It's acid-core and the residue is corrosive, google it.

[Tom Phillips]

The lead free plumbing solder I use is solid core and it therefore has no flux of any kind built in. Never the less, I would not consider using it for electronics, even if you had separate rosin flux, because the melting temperature is higher than lead/tin solder and the size of the solder is very large. It would be an unnecessary hassle to use even though a skilled person may be able to make it work. IMHO you would be much better off to buy more appropriate electronic solder.
Cheers,
Tom

[imaradiostar]

I personally wouldn't use it unless you have no other options. Lead is really the ideal choice for preventing a joint from breaking due to fatigue or developing tin wiskers. Tin wiskers aren't much of an issue in guitar amp use (unless you're working with SMD stuff) but the fatigue thing could be an issue.

Jamie

[tube power]

Thanks, I've got plenty of electronic solder, probably if I look in every drawer, more than I'll ever need.
I was just wondering if the plumbing solder would be better or worse.

[Alex R]

It ain't silvery neither. Like a dull grey colour. And it doesn't wet the contact so well. I use the higher melting point stuff now and then if I'm soldering one end of something short and heat-conductive down, then soldering something else to the end of it. HMP solder with a hotter iron to tack it down one end, then ordinary solder and a cooler iron on the other end doesn't melt the first joint. That is quite handy.

[R.G.]

Thanks, I've got plenty of electronic solder, probably if I look in every drawer, more than I'll ever need.
I was just wondering if the plumbing solder would be better or worse.

Worse. Worse. Worse. Worse.

There is a reason that "electronic solder" came to be either 60-40 or 63-37 back in a time when governments didn't legislate what metal alloys could be used.

[Gtr_tech]

Lead free solder sucks....horrible stuff. Use it to keep a door open.....

[Enzo]

Possible application as fishing weights.

[Gtr_tech]

HAH! Nice one. Best use for ROHS solder I've heard yet........sinkers!!!!!
Hmmm......how about bullets.....birdshot......BBs and pellets? Oh wait.....just looked. They're already doing it.....

[tube power]

Just in one drawer.
No idea where the aluminum came from...

[trevorus]

what wattage is that big iron??? and what do you use it for?

[Gtr_tech]

NoKorode flux....heh....haven't seen that in years. I remember it in a yellow tin. My grandfather used that building ham radio transmitters and the like back in the 60s. They were so powerful that once the wind blew his antenna against a tree and it caught fire. Eimac 450TH tubes IIRC. As you could imagine, he had a few jousting matches with the FCC over his x-mitting pwr.....

[tube power]

what wattage is that big iron??? and what do you use it for?

No idea on the wattage, it's for lead roof flashing. Not sure how exactly, my dad was the roofer.
I use it strictly for comic effect when someone asks me if I can fix a cable, pot or something.
I say, "Sure, excuse me while I whip this out."

[MrEarl]

What the heck are "tin whiskers"?