RoHS (Restriction of hazardous substances).

Lead free solder is now being used in most manufacturing of electronics. Including r/c electronics, including Brushless Speedcontrollers. It is known in the electronics industry that using lead free solder increases chances of cold solder joints, poor wetting and this is just a few of the issues. Unfortunately the switch to lead free is being mandated exept for those who are exempt.

I was just wondering if any of the failures in speedcontrollers could be from lead free? Does anyone know anything?

It looks like the count for blown up speedos is getting expensive. I hope the manufacturing companys are working with everyone on this problem. $$

After reading your post, it makes me wonder if that is the reason more and more xbox 360's are getting returned to microsoft.

B mullins.
That is highly possible abbout the xbox 360's.

Here in CALIF, LEAD based solder started getting almost impossible to find (At least at a retail level) around the beginning of last year... I was asked last week in our LHS what guys are supposed to use now, and how it works.

I didn't have an answer to the question, but remembered seeing this thread last year...So WHO is soldering with the NEWER "Safer" Solder, and how has it been working?

(NOTE: I had purchased a LARGE quantity of the old fashion stuff, and have enough to last 3-4 more years)

Yes the lead free solder is harder to use. I use lead free solder everyday at work and it is very easy to screw up. You need a very hot high wattage iron and need to make sure all parts are clean before soldering.

Yes the lead free solder is harder to use. I use lead free solder everyday at work and it is very easy to screw up. You need a very hot high wattage iron and need to make sure all parts are clean before soldering.
Is that simply because of a difference in melting point, or doesn't the lead-free stuff flow as well?

Lead free solder is a lot more sensitive to surface contamenation. It affects the flow and the resulting "bond" of the joint.

I work in computer electronics industry and there was a little bit of a learning curve for the components we supply and how easily the solder flows.

I made the switch to to lead-free for about 2 years ago because of cancer. I just use Radio Shack silver solder and it works well.

My first attempts at Lead-Free did not work so well as if you somehow contaminate the iron or joint with mixed solder types the flow is affected. It took a while to have every thing lead-free but it solved the flow issues. I use a Hakko 936 Iron and all is well.