[Elecraft] OK - Here's the Deal on Multicore Solder...

[Tom Hammond]

IN AN EFFORT TO (HOPEFULLY) PUT THIS THREAD TO REST FOR GOOD...

I called Loctite/Multicore this morning. Spoke with one of their Customer 
Service reps. She gave me the name of Krayden, Inc. (Denver and other 
cities) as a known source for Multicore solders.

I called Krayden and asked about availability of Multicore MM00979 solder. 
MM00979 is 63/37 content, 0.020" (0.50mm) diameter, 370 Flux, 5-core 
solder, in 1-pound rolls.

Trade does NOT stock this solder, BUT they WILL ORDER it in 20-roll cases 
IF I want to buy an entire case...!

I checked the Newark Electronics web site. Their pricing for Multicore 
MM00979 solder is $27.17(!!!) per roll. Not including shipping.

Trade stated that they will sell me a 20-roll case of MM00979 for $7.60 per 
roll...!!! This price does NOT include shipping to me. So about $152.00 for 
a case of 20 1-lb rolls.

Additionally, Trade states that it will probably take a month (maybe 6 
weeks) for the solder to be shipped into the U.S. from their (off-shore) 
supplier. So availability will not be until mid- to late April at the earliest.

I'm probably going to hate myself for this, but I will CONSIDER (strong 
emphasis placed on 'CONSIDER') arranging to buy one (or more) cases of 
Multicore MM00979 solder and re-distribute it to those who might wish to 
order it. The final price, at present in UNDETERMINED, as I don't have the 
shipping costs from Trade, OR the shipping costs TO YOU. Not to mention 
what it'll cost to find some small shipping boxes. I will ship U.S. Postal 
Service First Class Mail, NOT UPS OR FedEx, unless the size/weight of YOUR 
order is such that this mode of transport would be more cost-effective.

Shipping individual 1-pound rolls of solder will cost between $4.14 (Parcel 
post, 6-10 day delivery) and $4.90 (Priority Mail, 2-4 day delivery). Plus 
probably another $1 for a shipping box. Still, this price does not include 
the (currently unknown) prorated shipping cost to get the solder to me. I 
will ship only to the continental U.S. and possibly Canada, if there are no 
hazardous material considerations when getting solder into Canada. Or 
course, postage to Canada will be higher than that within the U.S.

I DO NOT INTEND TO MAKE MONEY ON THIS ACTIVITY, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LOSE 
ANY MONEY EITHER!

At this point, I want to determine DEMAND ONLY for this solder! If you are 
CERTAIN you wish to order one or more rolls of this solder, please drop me 
an OFF-REFLECTOR note, stating your intentions. I will accept tentative 
orders through March 20th... period.

All e-mails received WILL be acknowledged and I will hold them and respond 
with more information within a few days following the end of the 'open 
order' period (ending March 20).

This will be a one-time shot! Get in now or don't worry about it later... 
unless YOU want to handle the next bulk order.
_________________

ONE FINAL NOTE

Remember that Kester makes some VERY FINE solder! Their 63/37 content, 
0.020" diameter, 2.2% flux (either #44 or '285'), solders are GREAT for PC 
board assembly, and these solders CAN still be easily found in the U.S. 
There are many of us, myself included, that would find it hard to 
distinguish between a series of soldered joints made with Kester or 
Multicore solder. So the difference is going to be mostly in the eye (mind) 
of the beholder.
__________________

Remember to contact me OFF-REFLECTOR.

Let's try to let this Multicore Solder thread die a swift (if somewhat 
whimpering) death.

73,

Tom Hammond    N0SS