[sdiy] The Dreaded ROHS

[Seb Francis]

Hi Matthew,

Personally I don't think ROHS will really affect you doing what you 
describe.

Firstly, it applies to finished products only, so parts containing lead 
may be sold.  A PCB counts as a part.  It could be argued that a module 
for a synth counts as a part, although this may be pushing it ;)

If  you get a PCB manufactured, why not make it ROHS anyway.  It will 
solder just the same and you can use either type of solder.  And most 
components are ROHS as well nowadays.

The only thing that there is good reason to use non-ROHS is the solder 
itself.  For sure non-ROHS solder is nicer to work with, although decent 
ROHS solder is fine once you get used to it.  The reliability thing 
probably isn't an issue for the kind of stuff we are making.  Tin 
whiskers, worse mechanical properties, etc. are more of a concern for 
very tiny SMD stuff.

Seb



Matthew Smith wrote:
> Hi Folks
>
> Does anyone have any idea how ROHS affects those of us who might make 
> PCBs or modules which we then sell, on a hobby basis?
>
> Quite frankly, I don't care a flying ---- about a fraction of a gramme 
> of lead in something I make (probably more going up my nose when I 
> make it!) and would be highly insulted if the finished product ended 
> up in a landfill anyway ;-)
>
> So, if selling something, can I just say "not ROHS-compliant" or 
> should I forget the idea of selling anything?  (It wouldn't be a 
> profit-making exercise anyway.)
>
> And as to the scope of WHERE I would sell anything, it's to any 
> country a) not infested with scammers and b) has a sufficiently 
> reliable postal service that I won't be worried about PayPal chargebacks.
>
> Cheers
>
> M
>