OT: Soldering

Is it just me, or is it now impossible to solder properly with "lead free" solder and "lead free" flux? Is there a decent make of flux available (like you used to get in those little round metal tins, and is nicotine brown in colour), rather than that utterly useless white water-based stuff? Also, while I'm ranting, the white rubbish flux I bought (to try to get a recalcitrant wire soldered up) has more warnings than I've ever seen on any product except peanuts before. Is it my imagination, or is it actually more dangerous than the stuff it's replaced? Grrr Adrian Vickers. (PS: This has nothing to do with terminals - I was fabricating a new battery pack for an Epson PX-8, due to the terminal expiration of the original) -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.13.1/469 - Release Date: 09/10/2006