I didn't realize that solder was so expensive. I was in Lowe's yesterday, and as I passed the solder, I thought I'd pick up a roll, just to have some more. That one-pound roll cost $55.00. Maybe I didn't buy a full pound when I bought it in the past. I don't solder every day, so I don't use much. What I have on hand will probably last me the rest of my life.
sgt hop
Loc: baltimore md,now in salisbury md
haven't bought any lately..i have a load of the stuff...been a ham operator since 1970,i used a lotta that stuff...not so much anymore....remember copper pipe???? used some on that also....
sgt hop wrote:
haven't bought any lately..i have a load of the stuff...been a ham operator since 1970,i used a lotta that stuff...not so much anymore....remember copper pipe???? used some on that also....
Copper pipe used for the purpose of carrying water for human consumption requires silver solder to avoid lead poisoning.
DirtFarmer
Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
rcarol wrote:
Copper pipe used for the purpose of carrying water for human consumption requires silver solder to avoid lead poisoning.
Silver solder requires a significantly higher temperature to melt than the old lead based solder. For water pipes there are alternatives that don't use lead but don't require a lot of heat.
DirtFarmer wrote:
Silver solder requires a significantly higher temperature to melt than the old lead based solder. For water pipes there are alternatives that don't use lead but don't require a lot of heat.
Silver solder is usually more expensive.
I use standard 60/40 solder for electronic soldering and yes the price is around the $50 for a roll. A roll would last a long time but at my place of work they tend to disappear very often.
At these prices, we can expect that thieves will be stealing the lead balance weights from automobile tire rims to sell at the scrap yards.
BebuLamar wrote:
I use standard 60/40 solder for electronic soldering and yes the price is around the $50 for a roll. A roll would last a long time but at my place of work they tend to disappear very often.
Wow. Did THAT go up!
Of course it's been YEARS since I bought some!
sgt hop
Loc: baltimore md,now in salisbury md
rcarol wrote:
Copper pipe used for the purpose of carrying water for human consumption requires silver solder to avoid lead poisoning.
didn't seem to bother any of us...i'm 88 now....
Longshadow wrote:
Wow. Did THAT go up!
Of course it's been YEARS since I bought some!
Yes I use Kester brand which sell the Sn60Pb40 for $58 a 1 lb spool. Other brand is like $37.
rcarol wrote:
Copper pipe used for the purpose of carrying water for human consumption requires silver solder to avoid lead poisoning.
We had our water heater replaced earlier this year, and the guy from our utility company used solder-less connections to the cold water intake, and the outlet pipes. He sweated off the old connections, dressed them, then add the solder-less types. It does take some newer specialty tools I don't have in my kit. Our plumber replaced a section of our water pipes last year, using a newer plastic type of tubing, doing away with some lengths of copper and galvanized.
I figure even copper will go away some day. The plastic tubing is replacement and new-construction approved.
pendennis wrote:
We had our water heater replaced earlier this year, and the guy from our utility company used solder-less connections to the cold water intake, and the outlet pipes. He sweated off the old connections, dressed them, then add the solder-less types. It does take some newer specialty tools I don't have in my kit. Our plumber replaced a section of our water pipes last year, using a newer plastic type of tubing, doing away with some lengths of copper and galvanized.
I figure even copper will go away some day. The plastic tubing is replacement and new-construction approved.
We had our water heater replaced earlier this year... (
show quote)
Plastic is probably easier and faster......
Then again, many, many years ago a friend was found to have too much copper in his system. Was told not to drink tap water.
I wonder how long it may take for the stuff in plastic tubing to leach out and be discovered harmful.
sippyjug104 wrote:
At these prices, we can expect that thieves will be stealing the lead balance weights from automobile tire rims to sell at the scrap yards.
I think most of the wheel weights today are zinc and not lead.
polonois wrote:
I think most of the wheel weights today are zinc and not lead.
And the typical 60/40 solder has 60% tin and only 40% lead.
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