Best solder? where to buy?

[stargeezerme]

Originally Posted by labjr

I've ordered from Sonic Craft before. Nice guys. Sometimes takes a day or two for them to get back to you. They have a lot of goodies.

Yeah they do seem sound, I've already had a response to my email and they are willing to oblige my shipping request, however their postage quotes are quite high

eg 1 spool to uk including minimum order fee / bank fee / international handling fee = $103 ($40.40 of which is USPS Priority Mail)

If i get a quote direct from USPS assuming i buy 2 spools to have them parcel forwarded and avoid sonic crafts minimum order fee, eg

2.3lb estimated package weight (10"x6"x6") = $16.95 USPS priority international (so im wondering where they get $40 from for the same service?)

I could have sonic craft post the package to a parcel forwarder (Shipito - California) and then have them forward it onto me for the $16.95, however they charge $8.50 handling fee, 4.5% bank fee and they'd require me to complete a 1586 form? and upload it to them, plus i'd pay sonic craft for the US shipping...

Its a bit of a headache really but they will work out very similar total cost to each other, however with shipito it will be me that completes the customs form online which is an advantage (in my eyes )

Ok, so while i was writing this Sonic craft quoted me for 2 spools to uk, and also a quote for sending to california parcel forwarder....

Sonic craft to uk = $156
using parcel forwarding service = $151 (including all fees, postage etc)

Those are still good prices considering how much that solder costs over here, and its not even possible to buy 1lb spools here... I think the less complication of sonic craft posting direct to me is the winner for a few more $$

Have a look at RS Components | Electronic and Electrical Components and world-leading distributor of electronic and maintenance, repair and operations products. | Farnell United Kingdom

I've checked those companies out but you tend to get ripped off with postage from them considering its only a 500-600g parcel...

[nigelwright7557]

Originally Posted by stargeezerme

I've checked those companies out but you tend to get ripped off with postage from them considering its only a 500-600g parcel...

Your joking ! RS is free p+p.

[stargeezerme]

Ah ok, well Farnell charges a standard £15 on any order..... and ive just checked RS and they don't have the 63/37 multicore that im looking for lol...

The annoying thing is if you look on digikey or US sites you can get like every solder you can shake a stick at, and at about half the price of over here.

Can someone enlighten me why we can't all trade freely in the world?

[nigelwright7557]

Originally Posted by stargeezerme

Ah ok, well Farnell charges a standard £15 on any order..... and ive just checked RS and they don't have the 63/37 multicore that im looking for lol...
.

Farnell is free on orders over £20 + VAT.

I now use lead free solder and havent had any problems.

[stargeezerme]

Originally Posted by nigelwright7557

Farnell is free on orders over £20 + VAT.

I now use lead free solder and havent had any problems.

The one I want is from US stock it says... £15.95

Maybe im being too fussy only looking for Multicore, however ive seen a lot of posts saying that it flows better than kester and is generally the preferred choice?

But I will order the 2x 1lb spools of Cardas quad off Sonic Craft and hopefully there won't be any problems with shipping. 2 spools of that should last me a lifetime.

[stargeezerme]

Does anyone know how many metre's you get on a 1lb spool of (.032") cardas quad?

[nigelwright7557]

I try to support my local Maplin and so buy solder from there.

Maplin are good and local and if I am short of a resistor or two but very expensive.
I was going to buy an audio lead from Maplin but they were £25 each, got one on ebay for £2 !

[stargeezerme]

Originally Posted by nigelwright7557

I try to support my local Maplin and so buy solder from there.

Maplin are good and local and if I am short of a resistor or two but very expensive.
I was going to buy an audio lead from Maplin but they were £25 each, got one on ebay for £2 !

I hear ya, and theres nothing wrong with that. I almost bought a Hammond aluminium box from them as they were the cheapest on that product online, however they didn't have stock of the specific size/variation I wanted so I got it from Rapid instead and paid a bit more on postage.

Was that the exact same product that was cheaper? if it was then thats a disgusting amount of difference.

[nigelwright7557]

Originally Posted by stargeezerme

Was that the exact same product that was cheaper? if it was then thats a disgusting amount of difference.

It wasnt the same make but it did the job.
It was an HDMI TV lead now I think.

[stargeezerme]

I found my way to a company called "Thatcable.com" that sell good quality, reasonably priced cables.... they get good reveiws in what hifi.