[Elecraft] Solder in Elecraft kits - Business Opportunity?

[N2EY at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/31/07 10:10:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time, w4my at yahoo.com 
writes:


> why not just put
> solder in the kit? (Like Heathkit used to do.)
> 

IIRC, Heath did not always include solder in their kits. They finally started 
to do so because of all the problems caused by builders using the wrong 
solders, paste fluxes, etc., despite all the bold-faced warnings to use only 
rosin-core solder in Heathkits. 

Two reasons not to include solder:

1) RoHS issues elsewhere in the world
2) A lot of Elecrafters already have suitable solder on hand, and the 
inclusion of solder would not only be a coals-to-Newcastle exercise, it would also 
raise the price.

I know it's more work for Elecraft, but what about this:

Offer solder of the recommended type as a separate item. Elecrafters could 
provide feedback on how much solder it takes to build each product, and then 
there could e a selection of two size packages.

We're not talking about a lot of solder! A K2 doesn't take more than a few 
ounces IIRC.

The big package would be "enough to build a loaded K2/100"


The small package would be "enough to build a loaded K1 or KX1" 

Or something like that. I suspect that the main problems would be cost, 
because of the labor required, and low sales, because many folks already have 
suitable solder on hand. The main reason to do it would be as a convenience to 
those folks who want to avoid the high cost of buying/shipping a single item from 
a supplier like Digi-Key

Maybe there's a business opportunity here!

The "Toroid Guy" offers sets of high-quality prewound toroids for those who 
don't want to wind their own. (Insert no-connection disclaimer HERE). Maybe 
someone could offer suitable solder in appropriate quantities for building the 
various Elecraft kits. They could branch out into offering tool kits for 
first-time builders (Heathkit did that too, I think). Even with first-class postage 
to anywhere in the USA, they could probably beat RS prices easily. 

Such things as what solder to use may seem trivial to the experienced. But I 
suspect that a considerable number of Elecrafters are first-time builders, and 
are bewildered by the wide range of choices and suppliers out there. Look how 
much discussion we've had over the years about what solder to use, what 
soldering station to use, etc. 

Just an idea.

73 de Jim, N2EY




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