Sockets...

[Michael Moncur]

Just a quick note of thanks to everyone who responded... I think I now know 
just about everything there is to know from both sides of the issue. I can 
see this list is going to be very helpful.

I'm going to use sockets for most of my ICs because their advantages 
outweigh the disadvantages for me. (At this point I'm much, much more 
likely to fry a chip while soldering than to shake one loose from a socket. 
My gear is strictly studio-based.) I will make sure I get some good 
sockets, though.

I started on the FatMan last night and am halfway through the list of 
resistors... I'm taking my time to make sure it's perfect. So far, so good.

Also, I'd like to thank Paul Schreiber of Synthesis Technology for two 
recommendations he made on his Web site:

1. Kester "331" water-soluble core solder: This stuff is wonderful. The 
easy clean-up is nice, but more importantly the fumes are much easier to 
handle. With normal rosin-core solder I'm guaranteed an asthma attack after 
about 15 minutes, even with tons of ventilation. Apparently it's the rosin 
that causes most of my troubles, as I was able to work for several hours 
today with no ill effects.

2. Panavise: Very nice. I had no idea such things existed. I just have the 
"regular" head on the vacuum base right now, I have the circuit board 
holder head on order. Even with the regular head gripping an edge of the 
PCB, it's rock solid. And I can keep the PCB in the vise and pivot it over 
to switch from installing components to soldering.

Now I just need some decent wire cutters. The ones I bought at Radio Shack 
for $3 10 years ago are a bit worn out...

--
michael moncur   mgm at starlingtech.com   http://www.starlingtech.com/
"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going."
                 -- Professor Irwin Corey