Re:My Business Card Runs Linux
by nrp on Tuesday December 24, 2019 @06:42AM
(#21871365)
It’s actually probably harder these days to build something that isn’t RoHS compliant as a hobbyist than one that is. The vast majority of what you can buy from Digikey and Mouser and whatnot will be compliant, PCB shops will mostly do lead-free HASL (though you’d want ENIG anyway if you’re going to use a stencil), and lead-free solder pastes are more common than leaded ones. Basically you’ll probably have to either use old stock parts or pull some really old solder out of the fridge as a hobbyist to end up with lead.
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Most of the Chinese board fabs will sell you prototype-quality boards for a lower price if you use a leaded HASL finish (e.g. https://jlcpcb.com/quote#/?orderType=1&stencilWidth=100&sten...)
HASL is perfectly usable with stencils, in my experience.