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Original poster

Soldering and mini electronics kits ...

36 replies

roisin · 15/04/2006 15:26

DSs had a whale of a time at the Science Festival in Edinburgh (thanks again Tamum), and were wowed by the Madlab electronics workshop. As a result for his birthday ds2 wants a soldering iron and some mini kits. Has anyone used these? Any feedback, suggestions, or alternative suppliers?

\link{http://www.madlab.org/kits.html\Madlab}
\link{http://www.maplin.co.uk/search.aspx?MenuNo=8561&MenuName=Mini+Kits&worldid=10&FromMenu=y&doy=15m4\Maplin} - obviously (unlike Madlab) they sell the soldering iron and other necessary equipment too.

OP posts:
MrsSpoon · 17/04/2006 22:33

Roisin, he got some from Aldi a while back, one of them was a clock that ran off the power from a carrot, but I can't remember the others. He got another box from a charity shop, it is more about switches, buzzers and things ... can you tell this is DH's department? Grin

snorkle · 17/04/2006 22:37

flux helps the solder 'flow' onto the components/circuit board. You can buy solder with flux in the ore already, otherwise you can have a seperate roll of flux. Strangely, I think flux is or often contains rosin (the same stuff used for violin bows).

anteater · 17/04/2006 22:40

Iron looks great!
Will not be able to heat up the very thick solder as low power. You will need the thin stuff, which Ive got boxes of!

snorkle · 17/04/2006 22:43

This \link{http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/\school electronics club site} might help explain some stuff.

Original poster
roisin · 18/04/2006 07:30

Snorkle - I love the schools electronics club website - loads of really helpful stuff.

BUT it has another range of simple kits on it - so more decision-making for me!

Anteater - thanks for the offer of some solder. Can I take you up on it please? I'll CAT you. Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
roisin · 19/04/2006 22:32

OK thanks for all the help; I've ordered some stuff from Maplin; emailed Anteater about some solder; printed off some basics guides from Madlab and the School Electronics Club.

I can't wait for his birthday now Grin

OP posts:
anteater · 25/04/2006 13:33

Hi Roisin, still waiting for your address for this solder!

Original poster
roisin · 10/05/2006 17:16

Thanks all for your help!
ds2 very happy with his soldering equipment and kits. He even let me help a bit after school today Grin

OP posts:
Filyjonk · 10/05/2006 17:18

have you checked out \link{http://www.kidstuff.co.uk/\kidstuff}

They do a wizard's apprentice thing in electronics aimed at this age group.

Looks fun.

Hausfrau · 10/05/2006 17:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
roisin · 10/05/2006 20:14

Filyjonk: that looks great, though pretty expensive. But I may consider it when he is a bit older. Thanks for that.

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