[pkolaczk]

Maybe it’s just me but I find SMT easier and faster to prototype with than THT. Apply paste, place all components on the board with tweezers, reflow, done. With THT I have to bend / cut the legs of most components, and solder each point individually.

As for “high lead solder” - you won’t buy it in Europe. We had to learn using lead free for rework and you know what - it’s not much different, assuming you have high quality equipment.

[mistaken]

As for “high lead solder” - you won’t buy it in Europe. We had to learn using lead free for rework and you know what - it’s not much different, assuming you have high quality equipment.

That's bollocks. You can buy leaded solder in Europe just fine. You only need to worry about lead-free if you want to sell a commercial product.

[pkolaczk]

You can’t in Poland if you don’t own a resistered business. I tried and nope, they won’t sell it to individuals.

But thanks for letting me know, maybe it was just a local problem of the particular store, but a EU policy.

[pta2002]

I have a roll of 38% lead solder on my desk which I bought last year from Leroy Merlin in Portugal, so you can definitely buy it in Europe.

[atesti]

Any idea where I can buy some from Germany? Reichelt stopped to sell it and I did not have chance to stock up

[weinzierl]

Nowadays I don't bother with Reichelt or Conrad and just get must of my stuff from Mouser. They offer leaded solder in all kinds of forms. I have to say that I have not tried out if they will actually deliver it to Germany though.

[imtringued]

If you can do your joints on first try, lead free solder is exactly as "difficult" as leaded solder. I never notice the difference except when I have to remove it.

[willis936]

Yeah that's true if you have a reflow oven and avoid 0402 and below. Ovens aren't cheap or small though.

[BenjiWiebe]

Can't you modify a toaster oven to make a usable reflow oven?