Radio Shack to go under

[PRR]

> Do hardware stores carry solder?

They always have Plumbers Solder. You do NOT want that.

Be real careful buying "electronic" solders. Many vendors don't know their stuff. Some do not know 60:40 from 40:60 (big difference).

For DIY quantity, I would tend to electronic specialists and particularly small hand-soldered specialists like Small Bear. Steve won't send you the wrong stuff unless you explain why *you* need the wrong stuff. Tube-amp specialists are another good source. Go for the plain-and-simple, NOT virgin-Silver exotic solder. Be sure it is small and rosin flux core.

[bloxstompboxes]

Harbor freight may have our types of solder. They do have soldering irons last I was there. They may not have decent size rolls though. Hmmm. Methinks he will visit there website and have a look.

Edit: This is apparently it: http://www.harborfreight.com/lead-free-rosin-core-solder-69378.html

[Jdansti]

Harbor freight may have our types of solder. They do have soldering irons last I was there. They may not have decent size rolls though. Hmmm. Methinks he will visit there website and have a look.

Edit: This is apparently it: http://www.harborfreight.com/lead-free-rosin-core-solder-69378.html

This ^ is silver solder, not Sn/Pb, but if that's what you want, fine. As PRR said, stay away from the "acid core" solder used for plumbing work.

You can find plenty of solder online, but the shipping costs might make the total price per ounce higher than you are used to paying.

[bloxstompboxes]

http://www.qsource.com/m-17-aim-solder.aspx

We use the sixth one down at work and it works really well. But it is overkill for our DIY stuff. The other cheaper options should work fine.

[highwater]

I bought a 4oz spool of  "Benzomatic" branded 60/40 rosin-core solder at Home Depot a few months ago. It's 0.062", though, so a bit large (though workable) for our uses. I don't remember if they had anything smaller, but I'd guess I probably bought the smallest they had. I'm not exactly a solder connoisseur, so I can't comment on it's quality past that it works.

[vigilante397]

Sorry if I kind of derailed the thread, but I appreciate the input. I definitely remember seeing irons last tie I was in harbor freight, and I will definitely look for the right stuff. My high-end super-boutique tube amp building skills are embarrassingly non-existent so I most certainly do not need virgin silver solder

And for some reason I hadn't even thought of Small Bear. I have always had great experiences with them and Steve himself seems like a great guy.

Thanks for the suggestions

Oh, and to get a little bit back on track, I made my third trip to the Radio Shack that's closing (I have a serious problem) and picked up some automatic wire strippers. My life has changed forever

[Prince]

I went to the RS near me in the ghetto that is closing and got all this for $30.  Since I'm a total noob, I'm going to build my own version of the Beavis Board/Idea Box so I can start prototyping circuits. 

[vigilante397]

I went to the RS near me in the ghetto that is closing and got all this for $30.  Since I'm a total noob, I'm going to build my own version of the Beavis Board/Idea Box so I can start prototyping circuits. 

I would say that's definitely a great place to start

[Quackzed]

got a "radio shack" t-shirt!!!  for 3$ ... RepreSent Yo!

[tranceracer]

I went to the RS near me in the ghetto that is closing and got all this for $30.  Since I'm a total noob, I'm going to build my own version of the Beavis Board/Idea Box so I can start prototyping circuits. 

Nice!

[duck_arse]

radio shack might stay afloat a little longer if they asked lance for some of the money back. everyone else is.

[armdnrdy]

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse.....

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3559546-181/reported-armed-robbery-at-santa

[Jdansti]

^That loss of cash will probably cause the remaining stores to close.

[armdnrdy]

He took an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and robbed two male customers in the store. He also took a pair of headphones before fleeing in an unknown direction, Sprague said.

Store staff members said the man wore a pair of white gloves and his gun had a flashlight on it.


I wonder if the salesman looked at the flashlight on the gun...and asked the assailant, " do you need any batteries for that today?" 

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I wonder if the salesman looked at the flashlight on the gun...and asked the assailant, " do you need any batteries for that today?" 

Sir... do you need a pre-paid cell phone to notify your accomplice? 

[Quackzed]

I wonder if the salesman looked at the flashlight on the gun...and asked the assailant, " do you need any batteries for that today?"

[Jdansti]

+1!  We definitely need a "like" button. I wonder if they sell them at RS.

[duck_arse]

is that saying Sprague "sprague", as in the capacitors, the good ones? at RS?

"excuse me, do you stock spragues?"

[Ben N]

RS is the Generalissimo Francisco Franco of American business. Is it still dead?

[acehobojoe]

At least the perpetrator didn't take any 60/40 solder.

I wish there was a line in that story that said : "The criminal fled after quickly running to the part of the store that no normal consumers go to. He reportedly took all of the Lead-Free solder in the store."