8 Apr
2010
8 Apr
'10
5:12 p.m.
On 9 Apr 2010 at 0:05, Pete Turnbull wrote:
600F is about 315C -- just about OK for 60/40 but far
too cool for
lead-free. 800F is just over 425C and bit hot for lead-free; the
usual recommended temperature for lead-free is 380C or a little over
700F. My Weller and Oryx kit is set for 350C for 60/40 and 380C for
lead-free.
I do keep an assortment of tips around; I think that the "one that
comes in the box" is a PTA7, but for fine 63/37 SnPb solder, 700F is
just too hot. I don't particularly care for RoHS solder;
fortunately, the leaded stuff is easy enough to obtain in the US. It
might not be the case in the EU.
The last bit of plumbing I did (replacing a well pressure tank) was
done with 50/50 solder and it's the solder that I use when working on
brass musical instruments. It stays "plastic" longer than the
eutectic variety (which has virtually no plastic phase) and can be
tooled while still soft. The amount of lead-bearing surface exposed
to the water supply or musician is very small if things have been
done correctly.
But since "plumber" comes from the Latin for lead, what does one call
an RoHS pipefitter? Stanner? Indier?
--Chuck