Elecraft

Ordering of Elecraft kits

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Robert T. Davis Jr.

Ordering of Elecraft kits

I am thinking of ordering the K2, but I live in Spain and I am
wondering if this lead free solder is going to be a problem for me. In
other words can I order the Elecraft kits without encountering
problems with the new EEC reg's. Bob AB5HG/EA7AQP
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N8LP

Re: Ordering of Elecraft kits

Bob, here is an excerpt from an email Eric Swartz posted here recently...

"We -strongly- recommend continuing to use regular lead based solder to
build our kits. Kester 44, and other 63/37, 60/40 lead/tin mix solders
are not going away in the US or in Eu and work much better for soldering
both RoHS and non-RoHS tinned parts. Removal of non-lead solder is
difficult at best for most builders, potentially damaging PC boards and
components, and thats why our warranty prohibits its usage. Lead free
solder is really designed for use in mass production lines. "

Elecraft strongly recommends (and their warranty requires) continued use
of traditional lead/tin solder, and it is perfectly legal to do so in
EU. That's good enough for me.

Larry N8LP

Robert T. Davis Jr. wrote:

>
> I am thinking of ordering the K2, but I live in Spain and I am
> wondering if this lead free solder is going to be a problem for me. In
> other words can I order the Elecraft kits without encountering
> problems with the new EEC reg's. Bob AB5HG/EA7AQP
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>
>
>

stephen Farthing

Availability of lead solder in Europe

Greetings from England everyone,

Lead free solder is becoming difficult to get in Europe because of
the environmental legislation forced upon us by the somewhat undemocratic
European Union. If you guys in the states think you have problems with the
Federal Govt try living within the European Union. At least you elect your
federal officials. The people with real power in the EU are mostly unelected
failed domestic politicans such as the Kinnocks and Peter Mandelson who for
the most part are clueless about environmental issues. Whilst I agree with a
lot of environmental legislation it seems odd that we are banning lead
solder...which in years to come will make tons of lead soldered kit
difficult to repair and thus on the scrap heap and yet we will not restrict
the use of aviation fuel.....I can fly to Spain and back for less than I can
travel to London one way on the train!!!!!!! Anyway this is way off
topic......

My understanding from the radio engineers at work is that lead
solder is permitted for use in the aerospace and military industries because
the lead free stuff is not reliable enough. What will become difficult in
time is obtaining leaded solder for amateur use in the EU; it is no longer
stocked by Maplins (the nearest thing we have in the UK to radio shack)
which is odd because they also sell kits which need lead solder to make. So
it might be a good idea if the fine folks at Elecraft were to offer a roll
of lead solder as a purchasable option for those of us who are unable to
source it in Europe.

That's all folks,

Steve G0XAR

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Larry Phipps
Sent: 25 August 2006 16:13
To: Robert T. Davis Jr.
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ordering of Elecraft kits

Bob, here is an excerpt from an email Eric Swartz posted here recently...

"We -strongly- recommend continuing to use regular lead based solder to
build our kits. Kester 44, and other 63/37, 60/40 lead/tin mix solders
are not going away in the US or in Eu and work much better for soldering
both RoHS and non-RoHS tinned parts. Removal of non-lead solder is
difficult at best for most builders, potentially damaging PC boards and
components, and thats why our warranty prohibits its usage. Lead free
solder is really designed for use in mass production lines. "

Elecraft strongly recommends (and their warranty requires) continued use
of traditional lead/tin solder, and it is perfectly legal to do so in
EU. That's good enough for me.

Larry N8LP

Robert T. Davis Jr. wrote:

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Steve-292

RE: Availability of lead solder in Europe

I always thought it would be a good idea to include a hunk of the "correct
solder" as a regular part of each Elecraft kit. This eliminates the debate,
the sourcing issues, the errors, and solves the flux questions (Rosin? Acid?
No-clean? Organic?).

Just a suggestion...
73,
Steve
aa8af

> -----Original Message-----

> which need lead solder to make. So it might be a good idea if
> the fine folks at Elecraft were to offer a roll of lead
> solder as a purchasable option for those of us who are unable
> to source it in Europe.

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Arie Kleingeld PA3A

RE: Availability of lead solder in Europe

Guys,

Got myself 10 euro's of the 'ole' solder.
If I look back on my 31 years of being a ham, I am convinced that this
will last me a long time, very long. My great great grand children will
open an old junk box in 2050 and will wonder what that strange metal
could be.

Arie PA3A
(vintage '57)

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John A. Ross [Ecraft]

RE: Availability of lead solder in Europe

In reply to this post by stephen Farthing

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
> stephen Farthing
> Sent: Friday, August 25, 2006 8:37 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] Availability of lead solder in Europe
>

...What will become difficult in time is
> obtaining leaded solder for amateur use in the EU; it is no
> longer stocked by Maplins (the nearest thing we have in the
> UK to radio shack) which is odd because they also sell kits
> which need lead solder to make. So it might be a good idea if
> the fine folks at Elecraft were to offer a roll of lead
> solder as a purchasable option for those of us who are unable
> to source it in Europe.

Steve

For the moment you can obtain your supplies here

<a href="http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?id=-1&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%">http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo.aspx?id=-1&tier1=Tools%2c+Fasteners+%
26+Production+Equipment&tier2=Soldering+Equipment&tier3=Solder+%26+Fluxes&ti
er4=60%2f40+solder&moduleno=30459

In the UK you will probably find better service off Rapid even with mail
order than you will with Maplins.

You might need to work on that URL a bit as it is a bit long.

Leaded solder is not going away anytime soon, but its visibility is being
reduced as most service organisations are taking the opportunity now to
remove lead based products completely (as actually handling lead is also not
too healthy!) so it is also becoming prominent in HSE risk assemments also,
RoHS only accelerated and raised the visibility of the issue.

It has been illegal to use lead based solder on copper pipes carrying
potable water for a long time now, but for heating systems its OK.

Adding solder into the kits is a nice idea though.

John

> That's all folks,
>
> Steve G0XAR
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Larry Phipps
> Sent: 25 August 2006 16:13
> To: Robert T. Davis Jr.
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Ordering of Elecraft kits
>
>
> Bob, here is an excerpt from an email Eric Swartz posted here
> recently...
>
> "We -strongly- recommend continuing to use regular lead based
> solder to build our kits. Kester 44, and other 63/37, 60/40
> lead/tin mix solders are not going away in the US or in Eu
> and work much better for soldering both RoHS and non-RoHS
> tinned parts. Removal of non-lead solder is difficult at best
> for most builders, potentially damaging PC boards and
> components, and thats why our warranty prohibits its usage.
> Lead free solder is really designed for use in mass
> production lines. "
>
> Elecraft strongly recommends (and their warranty requires)
> continued use of traditional lead/tin solder, and it is
> perfectly legal to do so in EU. That's good enough for me.
>
> Larry N8LP
>
>
> Robert T. Davis Jr. wrote:
> >
> > I am thinking of ordering the K2, but I live in
> Spain and I am
> > wondering if this lead free solder is going to be a
> problem for me. In
> > other words can I order the Elecraft kits without
> encountering
> > problems with the new EEC reg's. Bob AB5HG/EA7AQP
> > _______________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Post to: [hidden email]
> > 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
> >
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>

Don Wilhelm-3

RE: Availability of lead solder in Europe

In reply to this post by stephen Farthing

Steve,

You might try ordering from Mouser - they state their export policy as
follows "Mouser exports to over 100 countries with no minimum order or
handling fee. Go to www.mouser.com/terms for details and restrictions."

I have no experience, just passing the info.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> My understanding from the radio engineers at work is that lead
> solder is permitted for use in the aerospace and military
> industries because
> the lead free stuff is not reliable enough. What will become difficult in
> time is obtaining leaded solder for amateur use in the EU; it is no longer
> stocked by Maplins (the nearest thing we have in the UK to radio shack)
> which is odd because they also sell kits which need lead solder
> to make. So
> it might be a good idea if the fine folks at Elecraft were to offer a roll
> of lead solder as a purchasable option for those of us who are unable to
> source it in Europe.
>
> That's all folks,
>
> Steve G0XAR
>

Karl Larsen

Re: Availability of lead solder in Europe

Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Steve,
>
> You might try ordering from Mouser - they state their export policy as
> follows "Mouser exports to over 100 countries with no minimum order or
> handling fee. Go to www.mouser.com/terms for details and restrictions."
>
> I have no experience, just passing the info.
>

I buy from Mouser often and they are real and yes they will mail to
Europe at a cost equal to the actual mail cost. They carry EVERYTHING. I
order by credit card on the Internet and they must be putting the order
together as soon as I have it in their computer. I get delivery in 3
days. It takes longer to you I suspect.

Checked the catalog and they have standard old lead based solder in
1 pound spools. A couple of spools should be a lifetime supply :-)

73 Karl

> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>
>> My understanding from the radio engineers at work is that lead
>> solder is permitted for use in the aerospace and military
>> industries because
>> the lead free stuff is not reliable enough. What will become difficult in
>> time is obtaining leaded solder for amateur use in the EU; it is no longer
>> stocked by Maplins (the nearest thing we have in the UK to radio shack)
>> which is odd because they also sell kits which need lead solder
>> to make. So
>> it might be a good idea if the fine folks at Elecraft were to offer a roll
>> of lead solder as a purchasable option for those of us who are unable to
>> source it in Europe.
>>
>> That's all folks,
>>
>> Steve G0XAR
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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
>
>
>

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: Availability of lead solder in Europe

Administrator

Here are some direct links to lead based solder suppliers who can ship
to Europe and the U.S. You can order directly from these suppliers on-line.

http://tinyurl.com/o2zgf www.rapidonline.com - U.K. and Eu
http://tinyurl.com/nd79n www.digikey.com - U.S. and Eu
http://snipurl.com/vgt6 www.mouser.com - U.S. and Eu

73, Eric WA6HHQ
================

Karl Larsen wrote:

>
> I buy from Mouser often and they are real and yes they will mail to
> Europe at a cost equal to the actual mail cost. They carry EVERYTHING.
> I order by credit card on the Internet and they must be putting the
> order together as soon as I have it in their computer. I get delivery
> in 3 days. It takes longer to you I suspect.
>
> Checked the catalog and they have standard old lead based solder in
> 1 pound spools. A couple of spools should be a lifetime supply :-)
>
> 73 Karl