[sdiy] Lead-free DIY

[Magnus Danielson]

Dear all,

I want to raise a few questions in order to see what impacts we could expect in
a future near us. The requirement to go lead-free in production of electronics
is bound to come over to the DIY-world one day or another. This should really
shake some people up since Pb/Sn soldering tin may eventually be GONE and
components will have Pb-free solder-plating. Soldering with Pb-free tin also
requires different temperatures etc. Just repairing stuff will be different
quite soon.

So, what knowledge does people have on this?

Is there any Pb-free certified guys around here?

What experience does people have to share?

What soldering gear can we just toss since they are no longer able to be
usefull? (I think there is stuff which will no longer be usefull - outdated!)

What about whiskers? Is there a *real* solution for _everyone_? (I think not
yeat!)

Soldering Pb-free is as far as I know harder and things behaves differently.
A friend of mine is just going to dig into the field, and probably push
material onto the web (once a soldering freak - always a soldering freak, this
freak has his own server).

PS. Stocking up on Pb/Sn solder will only solve part of the problem, so that
quick answer renders quite useless in the long run and when dealing with gear
that is Pb-free.

So, shoot!

Cheers,
Magnus