Solder prices...

[BOBSMITH]

Kazooman, here is a cool way to handle solder.Take an empty solder wick soft plastic 5 to
10 ft reel, flip it open and wind your solder on it until its full.Flip it back closed.Its just the right size to hold in your hand.Pull 5 or so inches of solder out of it and solder til your hearts content.Usually its enough to wire an entire guitar amp.
Bob Smith/ Smith Music Electronics

[Raybob]

I did an article on another forum concerning RoHs issues etc. Just in case you want to read it:

http://www.300guitars.com/articles/n...n-to-musicians

It's worthwhile to note that military, medical and avionics are exempt from RoHs solder use. Basically, anything that REALLY has to work can still use lead-based solder.

They way I read the RoHC laws, sales to individuals in other countries are exempt from RoHC but sales to retail stores must comply. Funny, I sold a few amps in Germany to 'individuals'. One of those individuals sold at least one of them in their store that I didn't know they owned. Another was sold on his "for sale" items on his web site.

For RoHC compliant solder, I've used "Cardas Tri Eutectic" and also WBT silver solder. IMO, the WBT flows easily and is easy to work with. The Cardas seemed to be inconsistent, sometimes flows great, sometimes it doesn't. Don't know the difference or why, I'm just telling my experience.

[Phostenix]

I don't use anywhere near as much solder as most of you, but it looks like this is a good time to make a bulk purchase for the future.

5 years ago was a good time to have made a bulk purchase of solder.

Do you just take it right off the spool as you work or do you break it down into smaller pieces even though this may lead to short ends headed for the trash?

I just unwind a few turns off the 1 lb. roll as I work & rewind it back onto the spool when I'm done.

[jrfrond]

Using a solder reel stand to jold your solder is the most convenient way of maximizing yield and ease of handling. I have dual ones on each bench, holding two different gauges of solder (.031" and .015").

[Cygnus X1]

BUMP.
Hindsight is always 20/20.
I usually get some 60/40 rosin core in my stocking every year from either the wife or
a relative.
Buy solder! I won't be disappointed!
Well I go through a few rolls of 1 lb every year and now it is getting stupidly expensive.

Any tips on where the best prices are?
I'm not against the Radio Shack variety, it has served me well and I have not found it to be messy or inconsistent.
Kester is the preference though.

[imix500]

I've had good luck with industrial surplus companies and fleabay.

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

Yeah.. I freaked out on this too earlier this year... I had previously bought twelve 1 lb spools (12 lbs) of .050" dia rosin core sore for $95.00....not that long ago either.
But when I was about out of it... I couldn't find anything for less then $20.00 a pound!!! JEEZE!!