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   botvolution (botvolution@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Saturday, 05-Apr-2025 23:13:47 JST botvolution

   The question is, do I add £11-worth of stuff that I don't want or need to my "cart" so I get free shipping, or do I just pay £12 shipping?

   • Embed this notice
     botvolution (botvolution@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Saturday, 05-Apr-2025 23:44:36 JST botvolution

     in reply to

     • kel

     @kel while you're there, which solder wire do you use for smd work?

   • Embed this notice
     kel (kel@mastodon.online)'s status on Saturday, 05-Apr-2025 23:44:37 JST kel

     in reply to

     @botvolution

     Buy additional stuff for free shipping - 100%

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     botvolution (botvolution@mastodon.sdf.org)'s status on Sunday, 06-Apr-2025 00:02:10 JST botvolution

     in reply to

     • kel

     @kel
     Because I only do a build every few months I tend to buy a few metres at a time from eBay sellers, which means I've ended up trying a few different ones, usually sn/pb, and it's amazing how much they vary in use. Then I can never remember the ones I liked most and I find myself with a new different one again lol. The last lot was Multicore 60/40 and the flux core stank like stale dog piss when it melted, as well as being hard to clean.

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     kel (kel@mastodon.online)'s status on Sunday, 06-Apr-2025 00:02:11 JST kel

     in reply to

     @botvolution

     Oh and I have tried pastes for SMD, but honestly, I prefer the strands for hand builds.

     Would be a different matter if I ever got to bulk builds though!

   • Embed this notice
     kel (kel@mastodon.online)'s status on Sunday, 06-Apr-2025 00:02:12 JST kel

     in reply to

     @botvolution

     Good question!

     I used to have a supplier on eBay that had really inexpensive but top quality Polish (as in the country) solder, but that ended many years ago - Cynel iirc.

     Since then I have used Kester SN63PB37 - the naughty but good stuff - I still have 1/2 a lb of that left!

     But also have an as yet untested roll of Stannol Cn96,5Ag3Cu0,5 which is meant to be lovely according to Exploding Shed anyway 😃

     Both look Shiny!