Hey everyone, I'm curious about the possibility of melting solder off old printed circuit boards (PCBs) to reuse it. I get that it's probably better to just buy new solder, but honestly, I'd rather not spend the money right now. What do you all think?
3 Answers
In theory, yes, you could recycle the solder, especially if you have flux on hand afterward. But honestly, it's a bit of a pain. You'd need to think about how to shape it back into a usable form, like a wire or some other format for soldering. Making it viable involves a lot of effort for not much gain, considering how cheap new solder usually is. Still, if you’re determined, it might just work out!
While it's technically possible to reclaim solder from old PCBs, it's really not worth the hassle. Solder doesn't just melt down nicely without flux, which is super important for making solid connections. Plus, recycling solder can be toxic and time-consuming. If you’re strapped for cash, maybe check out local thrift shops for solder instead?
You could definitely melt solder off PCBs, but don't expect the result to be anything like new solder. It’ll likely be a mix of different metals and junk. And if you're thinking about using it for delicate tasks, that's a risky bet! Plus, the process involves high heat, which can be dangerous if you're not careful. Just save yourself the trouble and buy new solder when you can!