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Monopix
Tinkerer
Username: Monopix
Post Number: 41
Registered: 11-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 06:34 am: | 
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I think it was somewhere in here that someone was saying they could only get lead free solder in the UK. Well this morning, I found B&Q sell both lead free and the traditional 60/40 lead alloy solder. Maybe it's still legal to use it for DIY or maybe B&Q don't know what they are selling... |
Gez
Tinkerer
Username: Gez
Post Number: 136
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 09:13 am: |
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My guess is B&Q haven't got a clue. They overcharge on adhesives too. |
Norman
Tinkerer
Username: Norman
Post Number: 24
Registered: 03-2008
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 02:22 pm: |
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Is lead based solder illegal in the UK? |
Glenn
Tinkerer
Username: Glenn
Post Number: 647
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 03:58 pm: |
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Two minutes on Google will give you all the answers!
Basically there are EU Directives such as -
The End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (2000/53/EC), the RoHS Regulations in Directive (2002/95/EC) and
WEEE Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (2002/96/EC)
that prevent the use of certain hazardous substances including lead containing materials. Thus manufacturers do not now use lead containing solders in items covered by said Directives. There is almost a worldwide ban on using lead solders on potable water systems, but otherwise lead solders can be used in areas not covered by Directives/Regulations.
However, the demand for lead containing solders has obviously fallen, many manufacturers/suppliers actually voluntarily reducing or stopping production/sales of lead containing solders. |
Steve_roberts
Tinkerer
Username: Steve_roberts
Post Number: 34
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 06:32 am: |
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I've tried lead-free solder for both plumbing and electrical uses and found it a real pain. It doesn't take anywhere near as readily and seems prone to mechanical damage/cracking. Anyone else had similar problems or is it just me? |
Fredster
Tinkerer
Username: Fredster
Post Number: 36
Registered: 06-2009
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 07:37 am: |
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Lead free has worked OK for me. You need to run the iron a bit hotter, and you can't use it to repair an already leaded joint. |
