[Elecraft] Type of solder for constructing a K1

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I simply unwind enough solder to work with, letting the roll sit on the
bench. Sometimes there's a loose foot or two lying there. When I'm done, I
wind the excess back. 

I guess it comes from working around chemistry labs and the like. Once I
enter the work area, I'm awfully cautious about what I put in my mouth and,
whatever it is, it hasn't been laying around where it can get contaminated
and I've washed my hands immediately before picking it up. 

That got underscored when I was careless one time fixing aircraft radios at
Lockheed, where I drank a lot of coffee on the graveyard shift while at the
bench. I put my paper coffee up on a shelf up high out of harm's way where
things wouldn't fall into it or it get knocked over. One night I was
studying a problem radio, reached up for the coffee and absently took a sip
while looking at the schematic. It was cold with an awful bitter taste. I
looked into the cup and was looking at a mass of multi-colored mold on top
of what was left of a very old and forgotten cup of coffee.

Put me off coffee for a while. To this day, 40 years later, I look into a
cup of *anything* before drinking it.  

And it reminded me to be careful in the shop, do only one thing at a time,
and pay attention to what I was doing, Hi! 

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
To this day, it is difficult for me to solder without sticking the solder in

my mouth to pull some more of the reel.  You know what they say about old 
habits, they truly are hard to break.

>I have several pounds of 60/40 lead-based solder on hand, so I use it.
>I wash my hands after using it and don't put the solder in my mouth.


John   K7SVV