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SparkFun will be closed on Tuesday, November 5th to support our team in being able to go out and vote! Orders placed after 2 pm MT Monday, November 4th will ship on Wednesday, November 6th. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
This is a reminder that on April 28th, 2012, SparkFun is hosting our inaugural soldering competition! We will be gathering at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids in Longmont for a day of intense competition - and we want you there!
The event will take place at Oskar Blues, who have kindly given us their support and will be providing us with access to their large back patio area for the competition. Note: this will take place OUTSIDE. This event will happen rain or shine, so be prepared!
The competition will go like this - Up to 100 contestants will be competing in 4 heats of 25, starting at high noon on Saturday, April 28th. From the 4 heats we will take the 16 fastest times and move those skilled few into our Sweet 16 round. From the sweet 16 will emerge the 8 fastest times. Those Elite 8 will then compete in the final round to determine who walks away with Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Medalist will also receive prizes for their great work!
For each round of the competition contestants will be soldering up a kit available on our website. These are the kits:
First round (4 heats of 25) - Simon PTH Kit
Second Round (Sweet 16) - BigTime Watch Kit
For the final round, will be using a more advance kit that will be revealed on the day of the competition. In addition, there will be a kids' heat for the first 25 who sign up that day. It's going to be a blast!
If you plan to attend just as a spectator please register on our EventBrite page to give us a better idea of how many people to expect. We also encourage you to show up to compete even if all 100 spots are reserved in the event that 1 or more contestants don't show. Thank you for your attention and we hope to see you out there! Contestants, reserve your spot today! Hope to see you there!
If I could only get there. I can solder 30x30 BGA through an eight-layer Metal-Core PCB using a book of matches, a five watt soldering iron without a tip, and a lead fishing weight in 30 seconds.
Umm... how?
Family secret.
I shoot for 20 seconds with 1760 ball FPGAs, 30 seconds if the board is attached to a heat sink or I'm outside in the snow.
Meh, I might have a little competition. I will just have to get drunk in the bar before I go outside so you will have a little advantage.
Edit: although I do my best work drunk
Gee I wonder if there is a Ballmer Peak for soldering :)
I've been waiting for the day where soldering prowess is considered desirable in a mate!
We all are my friend, we all are.
Actually, I judged the compatibility of my girlfriend on her ability to solder. And she the same with me. You just have to find the right one.
Does she have any single female friends? ;) j/k You are one lucky guy!
Unfortunately, most females with geek skills don't get along so well with other females. Her situation is no different. Good luck though, and thanks for the compliment.
Just don't let Christopher Walken in.
I thought that link would take me to the fastest solderer in the world, but thanks for the laugh.
Now remember guys, beer makes great flux, so have plenty of beer handy ;)
I think only Dark Lord can be used as flux, but don't quote me on that.
i wish that picture of them holding the soldering irons at each other was high res haha
I'd totally come if it were during a school break. :(
Can't be there ( I'll have to cross at least one ocean ) but super excited to know the kit for the final round. SMD much?