[Elecraft] Just ordered a KX1, and have a question

[Stuart Rohre]

Hi Marty,
At the time I built a Heathkit DX 20 in 1957, and when several friends built 
Heathkits in that era up to 1960, I don't remember any of us getting solder 
with our Heathkit.

I bought Ersin Multicore solder and used that for all my kit building, and 
still prefer it after some 44 years of building research electronics.

Solder is like beer and cars.   Folks have their own preferences if they 
have built anything at all for awhile.

No one size of solder is really adequate for all parts of kit building.  For 
example, you might use a small gauge on parts on a small board, but  a heavy 
gauge solder to make up type UHF Coax plugs.

Where do you stop in providing solder?  Do you then provide the flush 
cutting pliers to get folks to uniformly trim their component leads, the 
needle nose pliers, the soldering iron?  (Now there is another personal 
preference item kind of like personal hunting weapons!)

I think Elecraft does exactly what the majority of kits have done since the 
1950's.  They provide the electronics and the instructions, and the builder 
provides the tools and solder.  Those few kits I have seen with solder had 
types totally unsuited IMHO, for the job.

The type of solder one uses affects how well the finished kit looks.  There 
are some solders that are just adequate, and others that have superiour 
wetting, and flow characteristics.

-Stuart
K5KVH
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marty Young" <w4my at yahoo.com>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 3:17 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Just ordered a KX1, and have a question


> Hello All:
>
> I ordered a KX1 and it was shipped Priority Mail on
> 7/23 and have not received it yet.  Danged post
> office!  In doing my preliminary research and
> preparation I have a question:
>
> Soldering is important, I think we all agree.  The
> selection of the correct type and size is critical to
> success.  Why isn't a hank of 0.31 dia Kester "44"
> included with the kit?
>
> I know, this would increase cost.  But I would gladly
> pay an additional $3 for a kit to avoid having to buy
> a $25 roll of Kester. (and only use 1% of it)  Anybody
> remember Heathkit?  They were the premier kit maker of
> their day.  Solder was included.  Remember the nut
> starter tool? (I may still even have one!)  Not to
> mention a plastic IF can tweeker.  It was a nice touch
> from the top maker of kits.  Its why we all remember
> them fondly and sorta miss 'em.
>
> I'm not trying to be cheap.  Just a practical
> suggestion.  I'm not saying Elecraft should supply
> flush cutters, common tools, and "spoon" feed us.
>
> Just that solder selection is pretty danged important.
> And isn't it like a component?  It stays on the pcb
> just like all the other parts?
>
> For what its worth.  73  Marty / W4MY
>
>
> 
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles. 
> Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.
> http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>