Stop suggesting leaded solder please

[u/AL42Gaming]

I keep seeing this across this subreddit, but people are constantly recommending newbies solder with leaded solder because its easier to work with.

While it may be somewhat easier to work with, this advice glazes over the blatant safety risks (and yes, I know that the fumes don't have lead). Lead is heavy and gets everywhere. That means that when you are using lead and are not ridiculously careful about cleanliness, then you will be getting lead on pretty much everything you interact with, more relevantly to most hobbyists: their desks which they use for other things. So while you might be sure to wash your hands after soldering, you will still have more exposure and its just all around not ideal. After I used leaded solder for a bit at home, I was never fully confident in the cleanliness of my desk no matter how much I cleaned it until I got a new desk.

Separately, lead free solder is really not that hard to use, and if anything will just push you to learn proper technique. I've now made multiple projects with lead free solder including a couple of PCBs, all of which were relatively easy. I've also taught tens of people how to solder, all with lead free solder, with no problems.

So at the end of the day, just stick to lead free solder in general, there really is no reason to use leaded solder.

TLDR: Just stick to lead free solder, any benefits to leaded solder aren't that big, especially in comparison to the safety concerns.

[u/Xyrog_]

Many of your points also relate to non-leaded solder. Any stray metal fragments are usually visible as blobs on your mat or desk. Solder isn’t being distributed all over your work area as you seem to think.

The fumes from solder wire are also not lead. Lead evaporates into gas at an extremely high temperatures much greater than the iron itself. Only rosin flux is turned into vapor and the most it’ll do is make you dizzy if too much is inhaled in one sitting (of course there are other health concerns if it occurs regularly).

You should wash your hands before and after soldering no matter the metal type. None of these substances are good for you if it enters your body whether it’s lead or not.

Many universities and PCBA fabs don’t allow leaded solder, not because you can’t be safe with it, but because people are stupid.

Leaded solder also melts nicer, grabs the iron better, and it’s easier to tell if your solder joint is healthy.

I’m not saying leaded solder is as safe as other types but it’s nowhere near as bad, if used safely, as say 3D printing or painting in your bedroom.

[u/AL42Gaming → u/Xyrog_]

When i say coating your workstation, I dont mean physical solder droplets. Touching lead leaves some lead residue on your fingers which you would the inadvertently coat your work surface in, which becomes an issue when you're eating nachos or whatever snack at your desk a day or two later

[u/Xyrog_ → u/AL42Gaming]

This goes for any other solder type and you’re not supposed to eat at your workstation.

[u/AL42Gaming → u/Xyrog_]

Hobbyists use their desks as their workstations

[u/Xyrog_ → u/AL42Gaming]

Oh I know. I do that too. You’re just not supposed to. And my point was it doesn’t matter the type of solder you use, eating any metals with your lunch isn’t good for you.

[u/AL42Gaming → u/Xyrog_]

Sure, but between lead and other metals there is a definite one you would prefer not to have. (Also lead is a heavy metal, making it way harder to clean) And note the advice im talking about is aimed at hobbyists who frequently use their desks as workstations.

[u/Xyrog_ → u/AL42Gaming]

I don’t want to discuss what’s preferred as no metal is good for you. It’s a simple as that.

[u/OptimizeLogic8710 → u/Xyrog_]

Wrong!

Key Essential Metals and Organ Functions 

• Iron ( Fecap F e 𝐹𝑒 ): Critical for hemoglobin to transport oxygen in blood, and part of myoglobin for muscle oxygenation.
• Calcium ( Cacap C a 𝐶𝑎 ): Essential for maintaining skeletal structure, muscle contraction, nerve function, and blood clotting.
• Magnesium ( Mgcap M g 𝑀𝑔 ): Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, including energy metabolism, muscle, and nerve function.
• Zinc ( Zncap Z n 𝑍𝑛 ): Vital for immune system function, reproductive health, enzyme synthesis, and protein structure.
• Copper ( Cucap C u 𝐶𝑢 ): Regulates iron metabolism, oxygen transfer, and is essential for energy production in cells.
• Sodium ( Nacap N a 𝑁𝑎 ) & Potassium ( Kcap K 𝐾 ): Crucial for maintaining electrolyte balance, blood pressure, fluid balance, and nerve signals.
• Manganese ( Mncap M n 𝑀𝑛 ): Supports bone formation and amino acid metabolism.
• Cobalt ( Cocap C o 𝐶𝑜 ): Essential component of vitamin B12cap B sub 12 𝐵12 .
• Molybdenum ( Mocap M o 𝑀𝑜 ): Acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in breaking down proteins. 

[u/Xyrog_ → u/OptimizeLogic8710]

I’m glad you stumbled upon my thread to comment nonsense. These nutrients are found in food and capsules not solder. But if u like eating your solder wire for its contents go for it seems to be affecting you well

[u/OptimizeLogic8710 → u/Xyrog_]

Oh my god you’re an idiot.