[sdiy] Future SYNTH-DIY

[Paul Schreiber]

Well, the directive certainly does NOT prevent folks from tinkering at home in 
the lab with older, lead-containing parts. So, every start saving $$$ and buy 
200ea of all the 5% resistor values, 100ea of common parts (TL072, 1N4148, etc) 
and we can all be "DIY Hermits".

Also, it does NOT effect older analog synths at all, AS LONG AS you can *prove* 
the date of manufacture (ie it has a sticker on it). Parts for *repair* (like 
CEM/SSM chips) are exempt.

What it DOES 'prevent' is shipping the parts/assemblies across EU borders. Just 
to pick of Doepfer, his boards are stuff in someplace like Hungary and shipping 
them is a problem.

Also, don't forget there are *3* things to worry about:

a) solder
b) parts
c) the pc board

Currently, pc boards that are designed for lead parts are "hot air leveled" with 
lead-tin solder. You *can't* tin-plate, because tin grows "whiskers". So, the pc 
board suppliers are going full-tilit-boogie on alternative plating materials.

See this page for TONS of data, scary photos:
http://nepp.nasa.gov/whisker/

Also, if you do have a lead-free pc board and lead-free soldering, but have a 
leaded part, the lead contaminates the process and cracks form in the joints.

It a freakin' headache from any angle.

Paul S.
back to lead soldering....yum