Model Railway Forum

Ninemil wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:51 pm Searching for solder with lead tends to get a load of results that are "lead free" with the search engine obviously picking up on the word "lead".

A useful tip when searching if you're wanting a short phrase like lead free, enclose it in quotes (as you did here to emphasis it). The first search results will be 'lead free'.

IanS wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 2:09 pm

Ninemil wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:51 pm Searching for solder with lead tends to get a load of results that are "lead free" with the search engine obviously picking up on the word "lead".

A useful tip when searching if you're wanting a short phrase like lead free, enclose it in quotes (as you did here to emphasis it). The first search results will be 'lead free'.

The one you link to looks like it is 63tin/37lead so not 'lead free'!

Like I said just look for the numbers. Lead free is useless. Horrid stuff.

Ninemil didn’t want lead free.

Ninemil wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:51 pm Searching for solder with lead tends to get a load of results that are "lead free" with the search engine obviously picking up on the word "lead".

Silly question, but if it doesn't say "lead free" against a product, does that mean that it's got lead in it?

I've now found something that I think and hope is suitable anyway. If anyone can confirm that, I'd appreciate it. See image.

Hi

That is indeed a Lead content solder.
Personally I prefer a 60/40 blend but the one shown should be ok.
60/40 Small quantity example... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40-60-18g-1- ... Swk8xdLoQW

I purchased this one a few weeks ago and have found it excellent eBay solder link

Walkingthedog wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 2:22 pm Like I said just look for the numbers. Lead free is useless. Horrid stuff.

Ninemil didn’t want lead free.

My mistake - skim reading and I missed that!

To ensure hits don't have a word in them place a minus sign in front of the key word.

+"lead" -"free" +"solder" or +lead -free +solder brings up what is required (except the ads for some reason!).

I didn’t know about the +- Ian.

Thanks for all the helpful answers.

That + and - tip for the search engine is a good one too.

Thanks for the soldering advice Brian - useful as I am having real bother at the moment. Perhaps you or another member can help me. Just bought a new tip and after tinning 6 wires the tip will no longer hold solder and appears blackened. I’m using an antex 35w iron, 63/ 37 solder and DCC sapphic liquid flux. Don’t know if the solder is rosin cored but did buy everything from a very well known reputable model shop. I left the iron on for 20 minutes before using and clean with a damp sponge. Don’t laugh, but this is my 4th tip in as many years. What am I doing wrong?!!!!!!! Any help much appreciated before I throw the iron in the bin and stamp on the layout and give everything up as a bad job!

odd its suddenly not tinning...

i got a weller iron donated to me recently, but when i tried to use it, i couldn't get it to work at all... i ended up cleaning the tip with a fibre pen, followed by a dip in 99% Isopropanol (cold of course)... then i wrapped solder around the tip with the iron cold and then turned it on... as it heated up it tinned the iron beautifully.

can you show any pictures of the tip before and after its been wiped on the sponge?

Thanks Steve. I wrapped my tip in solder and heated it up but it failed to stick. The solder just fell off in dull grey blobs.