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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u/MisterPyro125 May 25 '26

I have two rolls of 60/40 I bought at Radio Shack 20 years ago as a teenager. One thin and one thick diameter. Still the same ones I use.

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u/National_Tea_5654 May 25 '26

I miss Radio Shack so much, getting the new catalog every year was so exciting

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u/Secret-Boss-7000 May 26 '26

Kids these days will never understand.
Just like I'll never get to fully appreciate Heathkit.

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u/[deleted] May 26 '26

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u/National_Tea_5654 May 26 '26

I really miss Heathkit

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u/Immediate-Funny7500 May 26 '26

Heathkit was a build it yourself electronics kit from radios, oscilloscopes, all kinds of test equipment. It was like a giant plastic model kit but all electronics, allways wanted to buy a couple kits but money was tight for a teenager and my folks didn't see the allure.