lead free solder

[turtlezx]

Was give 1 lb of solid core solder .140- .150 " dia.
how do you tell if its lead free ??? does it matter when adding to the pot??

[ku4hx]

If it's "Lead Free" it should say so. Look closely at all the labeling. You may see something like "50/50" or "60/40". The stuff I have says it's 99.3% Tin and .7% Copper.

[turtlezx]

no lables just the wire

[dbosman]

Can you melt it in a clean pot, and measure the temperature it melts at?
That can give you a rough estimate of the ratio.

[Tatume]

Lead alloy solder is usually a dull gray, and lead-free solder will often be bright and shiny.

[runfiverun]

you might be able to track down a part number or an astme number if there are any lables.
if not the dull-shiny is about all you got to go on.
you could try the melt temp thing and get in the ball park, and maybe try the bend [creak/pop/sing] thing.
I have seen solder go from 5% tin up through 95-98% tin.
stopping at 10-20-30-40-50-60-63-70-80-85-95&98% on the way, along with additives like silver and copper.