Lead vs. Lead-free Solder

[Heath]

I started off using regular lead solder because that's what I had.  Later I switched to Lead-free solder on the suggestion of a musician friend of mine who got me into pedal building.  It took a bit of getting used to with regards to melting point, flow, and the tendency for good lead-free solder joints to appear dull, which is not a great sign when using lead solder.  It also smells pretty foul when melted and the vapors are toxic, if I recall.

On the other hand, lead is nasty stuff, poison-wise, and seems to really foul up my solder tips, whereas the lead-free stuff just take a quick wipe on a wet sponge and it's all nice and clean.  

Well, I finally used up my spool of lead-free solder and was going to order more.  I figured I'd get some opinions since I've been really impressed with the level of knowledge here.

Do most of you use lead or lead-free solder and what are you experiences in favor or against?

[IvIark]

Leaded 60/40.  I really don't like every lead free solder I've used and my soldering style and timing seems to have been tuned entirely for 60/40 so it's difficult to take to something that affects the melting point.

[otalgiafx]

Leaded 60/40 here too, find it easier to work with.

[Ross]

I use leaded 63/37, which cools faster than 60/40. I find that invaluable when soldering wires.

[JaviCAP]

60%st/40%lead 1mm when working with veros and 60%st/38lead/2%copper 0'5mm when using pcb's.

Never have seen a lead free solder by the way.

BR

[Rolf Poti]

I use lead free because i don't get a hedeck from it which I thought I got from soledering wire containing lead.

[IvIark]

You only get flux fumes from leaded solder, the same as unleaded.  Lead doesn't vaporise until a much higher temperature than you get from a soldering iron.

[Rolf Poti]

Haha, yeah I think i just got some paranoia. Anyway as soon as i got just to the lead free i didn't want to change back.

[Madferret]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you Heath, I started off with a big spool of lead free which I was getting near to the end of, so I ordered a small amount of 60/40 roisin core solder.  I just finished my first build using it and I have to say I'm pretty happy, over all I used less solder per joint than I would with the lead free, they seem a bit neater and it took less time to solder the board, all in all a massive win.

[Milkit]

The only thing that will be lead free in my workshop/man cave will be me by the summer!  Two kids is enough, haha!

Is it true that the aviation & transport industry had a 10 year dispensation from when the rohs directive came into force, due to lead free solder causing spike shorts?  Doesn't it crystallise is someway?  Or have I been fed a load of bovine faecal matter?

[Jon the Art Guy]

with all the health issues brought up with the lead thing, I was thinking that "spike shorts" might have had something to do with a urinary tract problem. Turns out, I'm just a gross person.

[Vince]

All the lead free stuff I've tried seems to be pasty... couldn't get on with it at all.

[burksguitar]

Lead doesn't vaporize until past 800 degrees, so no lead worries from just soldering. I use 60/40 in a very small diametor for boards and .050 for offboard stuff. I also used 63/37 sometimes because I have some in an in between diameter, but I prefer 60/40 for the most part. I have used lead free and still have some but I really don't like it at all.