Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits

Re:Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits by Animats on Tuesday December 27, 2016 @01:42AM (#13261665)

Leaded solder, or lead-free? What I've been reading is that at the hobbyist level, most people are still using leaded solder. The tight temperature tolerances of lead-free are hard. I've tried hand-soldering with lead-free solder, but keep getting cold solder joints.

Stanford EE just set up a maker space, called Lab 64. I'm going to find out what tools they use, and how they teach soldering. Stanford EE labs have big "No Pb" signs; they insist on lead-free soldering.

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Re:Show HN: Learn how to build electronics with monthly kits by Taniwha on Tuesday December 27, 2016 @02:22AM (#13261774)

I only use lead free these days - I also teach kids SMT first, I think it's easier to learn - thru hole requires better solder temp management than SMT and essentially 3 hands.

We start by giving the kids hot air and tweezers to harvest some parts from an old board, then have them install them on a scrap proto board no one needs any more

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