From the research that I did, it also appears that the lead free stuff doesn't flow as well and calls for some sort of specialized flux.

I don't know. Some of the things that we solder, like the battery and motor leads on the MM, are hard enough to solder as it is, without going to a solder that needs a higher temp to melt it.

I could just get an 800* tip for my metcal, but then parts might start falling off of what I'm working on.