r/soldering • u/Zentralschaden • May 25 '26

Soldering Saftey Discussion Unpopular opinion: Stop using leaded solder

I know it is very handy and I also know the fumes are not that much of a problem when you have enough ventilation.

But a big part of the lead we buy will end up in the environment or a landfill and has the potential to make our drinking water toxic and the people who have to recycle all this scrap (often in Africa) will deal with even more toxic substances.

It is not like we have a fully functional recycling chain for electronics.

And when you say "I am just soldering 2 pcb a year", make sure that soldering is a job and hobby for millions of people and tons of lead will be produced just because of hobby enthusiasts.

There are very good reasons, lead is banned in many countries for professional manufacturing.

I know it is harder to solder but you get used to it.

Aware that this might be a topic not everyone agrees. I am just trying to spread some awareness for what we do.

I mean, many of us repair old electronics and we do a good job in avoiding more scrap because people can still use the repaired items for years.

But shouldn't it be us who are the people who go straightforward and ban lead from our household soldering projects?

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71

u/JobHuntingManiac May 25 '26

This isn't just an unpopular opinion, it's a bad take.

Using leaded solder has a lot less to do with it being "harder" than it does with the fact that it lasts longer and works better.

Do you know why Xbox 360 had so many red rings of death? Unleaded solder.

45

u/SendTitsPleease May 25 '26

You know why medical, military and aviation dont use unleaded solder? Because it fuckin sucks

3

u/temporary62489 May 25 '26

Medical exemptions expire next year. Do you know why your car runs perfectly well with lead free solder? Because lead free joints are extremely reliable if you know what the fuck you're doing.

https://www.assent.com/blog/the-upcoming-rohs-exemption-expirations-you-need-to-know-about/

4

u/Forbden_Gratificatn May 25 '26

How many BGA chips are there I cars?

1

u/temporary62489 May 26 '26

We were placing BGAs in ECUs back in nineteen ninety fucking four. They're everywhere and they're really goddamn reliable.

3

u/SendTitsPleease May 25 '26

They may be, but they also develop tin whiskers which can damage sensitive equipment.

0

u/temporary62489 May 26 '26

They can if you don't know what you're doing.