On 28 Nov 2005 02:22:53 -0800, wrote:


--s-p-o-n-i-x-- wrote:
On 25 Nov 2005 13:56:28 -0800, "Calvin" wrote:

Don't worry about the lead free rules by the way. It's (going to be)
banned for maufacture but not for rework so the solder will still be
available (manufacture doesn't usually use solder on a reel anyway).
The old common sense still applies, don't breath the fumes, don't eat
or drink while working and wash hands afterwards.

Very true. You are more likely to die whilst going to the shop to buy
the kit that you are due to the effects of putting it together!

Eventually even kits from Maplin will be lead free but that'll be down
to availiability of components. Just make sure the iron you buy will
cope with lead free solder in the future.

Even if all the components are all lead free, you can still solder them
with leaded solder.

A bigger problem will be components going obsolete because the
manufacturers don't see a big enough market to justify the investment.

This is largely happening, isn't it ? Maplin's shops are pretty
hopeless for electronic components. They're going much the same way as
Tandy did before they closed down - primarily stage electronics and
toy racing cars.

--
Frank Erskine