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solder / lamp

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Don Baucom

solder / lamp

I ordered a K2 today. Can someone tell me a specific vendor and solder that would be good to use. I was also wondering if anyone has a good idea for a cheap magnifying lamp. I have the static mat and strap from my K1 build. Anything else I might need?

73
Don
K4YND

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: solder / lamp

Don,

I suggest you invest in a spool of good solder. My preference is a
63/37 alloy (eutectic) which will be the lowest melting point solder -
but more important it has no plastic state, it goes from a liquid to a
solid with no plastic state in between. That is the cure for what we
used to know as "cold solder joints" which were actually crystallized
solder connections that created intermittent joints.

I suggest Kester 285 solder in the 37/63 alloy mix. A diameter of 0.20
is a good compromise between a decent feed rate and getting too much
solder on the connection before you know what is happening.

I can make no recommendations about the magnifying lamp question other
than to say that I cannot deal with those magnifying lamps. I have a
hand magnifier that is helpful for seeing those tiny markings on the
capacitors, but for the most part, I do not use any magnifier for
thru-hole parts. For SMD, I do use an Optovisor. Choose the
magnfication carefully - some powers require that you place the
soldering iron at your nose - not a comfortable situation. Choose
carefully, and try several different diopters at a hamfest (if you are
able) before making a decision about which is best for you.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/8/2011 8:29 PM, Don Baucom wrote:

> I ordered a K2 today. Can someone tell me a specific vendor and solder that
> would be good to use. I was also wondering if anyone has a good idea for a
> cheap magnifying lamp. I have the static mat and strap from my K1 build.
> Anything else I might need?
>
>
> 73
> Don
> K4YND
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/solder-lamp-tp7076613p7076613.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
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Rick Dettinger-3

Re: solder / lamp

OptiVisors also restrict peripheral vision. Keep that in mine while
reaching for the hot soldering iron. I had to interrupt work on a kit
for a trip to the emergency room! I thought that I knew just where to
reach. I was a little off.

73,
Rick K7MW

On Dec 9, 2011, at 10:07 AM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> I've got #4 lenses in my OptiVisor. Since it is designed to wear it
> over my
> normal reading glasses I can change the magnification by taking my
> reading
> glasses off, but seldom do.
>
> In addition to Hamfests, you can find Optivisors at most hobby and
> crafts
> stores.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Choose the magnfication carefully - some powers require that you
> place the
> soldering iron at your nose - not a comfortable situation. Choose
> carefully, and try several different diopters at a hamfest (if you are
> able) before making a decision about which is best for you.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

Jim Wiley-2

Re: solder / lamp

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

Check Magnifier.com for their HVM-5L lighted magnifier. It comes with a
set of 4 interchangeable lenses giving 1.2X, 1.8X, 2.5X and 3.5X
magnifications. The lenses clip into the headband. No peripheral
vision restrictions. Does not have a knob-adjustable headband, but the
slide-clamp adjuster works well and is easy to use. Most importantly,it
can be worn over your normal glasses, so any corrective prescriptions n
your regular glasses can be retained. Inexpensive too, only $22 plus
shipping. Optivisors are nice, no question about that, but the HVM-5L
is one heck of a better deal. I am very happy with the one I got.
No connection, etc.

Here is a link: http://www.magnifier.com/hands_free_magnifier.htm

- Jim, KL7CC

Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:

> I've got #4 lenses in my OptiVisor. Since it is designed to wear it over my
> normal reading glasses I can change the magnification by taking my reading
> glasses off, but seldom do.
>
> In addition to Hamfests, you can find Optivisors at most hobby and crafts
> stores.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> Choose the magnfication carefully - some powers require that you place the
> soldering iron at your nose - not a comfortable situation. Choose
> carefully, and try several different diopters at a hamfest (if you are
> able) before making a decision about which is best for you.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>

k6dgw

Re: solder / lamp

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

FWIW: I built my K2 and KX1 using a 1 lb roll of 63/37 0.015" solder
I've had for a hundred years. I never had feed-rate problems, and was
able to very finely control how much solder went into the holes.
There's still about 1/3 lb of solder on the roll.

My wife bought me a magnifying lamp encircled with very bright white
LED's. It eliminates shadows. There is a little optical distortion if
you look through the edges of the glass, but it works a lot better for
me than the Optivisor I tried.

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 2012 Cal QSO Party 6-7 Oct 2012
- www.cqp.org

On 12/8/2011 9:24 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:

> I suggest Kester 285 solder in the 37/63 alloy mix. A diameter of 0.20
> is a good compromise between a decent feed rate and getting too much
> solder on the connection before you know what is happening.
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