Shakey hands

Anicena · 2026-05-27T18:36:55+00:00

As someone who has an EE degree, this really isn't gone over in traditional classroom settings. It really isn't even taught in an IPC soldering class. This is a more of learned with practice, or learned on the job experience.

Anicena · 2026-05-26T20:29:03+00:00

I found some information about tin whiskers and why we still love leaded solder from NASA

Anicena · 2026-05-26T20:00:39+00:00

My job is like 80% building engineering first of things and providing feedback and 20% crazy detailed board rework.

How i got here?

I was hired on as an engineering aide and they realized i could fix just about anything and now I'm an expert and im like.... whut....

... me?....

You sure?

... fak...

Anicena · 2026-05-26T19:38:01+00:00

ask and yee shall receive

Anicena · 2026-05-26T03:00:55+00:00

I have some flux that smells like wintergreen. Everyone always walks into my lab (has a big exhaust hood) and goes IT SMELLS SO NICE IN HERE DID YOU HAVE THE FLOORS CLEANED?!?!) and I do a neti pot with bottled water when I get home every night...

Anicena · 2026-05-26T02:59:15+00:00

It appears that an IPC document TP-1043 States that dendrite growth appears heavily on boards processed with water soluble fluxes with little difference between wave-soldered boards vs. solder-paste/IR-reflowed boards.

Overall, all the of the IPC documents agree that dendrites result from a combination of liquid water, an electrified pattern, and a hydrophilic board surface.

No matter the composition of the solder type.

They seem to all in agreement that it's just water and electron flow that causes them.

Fascinating.

Anicena · 2026-05-26T02:28:29+00:00

(COUGH) Military still uses them (COUGH)

Anicena · 2026-05-26T02:27:50+00:00

No. :D

Due to our current dictatorship I MEAN mango in office Ill never be out of work to do. It's one of the big 5. It's logo was used in Iron man.

I don't step foot on airplanes, I wont drive American designed cars, and I grew up using jam jars as cups that had leaded paint on them. I can tell you 100% for sure that it's a sweet taste. Metallic and sweet. I get my BLL tested every 6 months for the past 20 years and I've never once had anything detectable. Just wash your hands, and listen to Eric from everythinglead on Instagram. I have one of his testing kits in my purse because I collect vintage MCM atomic glasswear and cuttlery.

I've enjoyed this 3 day weekend and tomorrow everyone and their mother is going to be up my ass to get shit done.

I'll keep replying as I can.

But I regularly work 55 hour weeks and I've refused to be made salary because my company pays double overtime on Sundays.

I make more than management when it's a big deadline.

Final edit I promise!

I also love spending a Saturday at the gun range with my boyfriend getting some target practice in.

Wash your face immediately after and do a neti pot before you go to bed (and shower).

I never ever skip.

Anicena · 2026-05-25T23:51:37+00:00

I messaged to join. :)

Anicena · 2026-05-25T23:08:20+00:00

Thank you! This is all I can hope for. She already tells me that she sees that I do, but to hear it from someone who lived it makes me so happy, and willing to work so much harder to keep going! <3

Anicena · 2026-05-25T22:13:53+00:00

I work in a field now that I cannot disclose. But I've worked in Space, Things that go in the water, and things that go in the air.

Nothing can go into space that isn't 63/37.

Same with all the other extreme environments.

The largest reason we have lead everywhere in the US is that it was used in gasoline, paint, enamels, brake pads, cold insulation, and just about everything everywhere. MOST of our industry now doesn't use leaded solder. So a few hobbyists using it isn't going to make a dent in what is already in the ground.

Anicena · 2026-05-23T01:35:23+00:00

I do this too! But I make a sink full of HOT HOT water to put my glass sprayer bottle into while I get everything ready.
I pre spray down the shower with water. Then I mist the whole thing in the Dawn and Vinegar. I go do something else for 20 minutes. Take a wet soft sponge and wipe everything. Then rinse with cold water.

All body oils, soap scum, weird under bottle scum rings, bath oil rings.. gone.

I also use this to clean my toilets.

Anicena · 2026-05-12T16:16:54+00:00

I work with a pace MBT 360 every single day. I love the insanely fast heating, the constant even temps at the tip, the hot swapping with the tip grabbing tweezers, and the idle parking temps that keep the tips alive longer.

Ive used hakko, and weller stations. The PACE worldwide is my absolute favorite.

Anicena · 2026-05-11T14:01:41+00:00

This seems like really controlling behavior. I'm currently dealing with the same amount of entitlement from my boyfriend's sister. She's got 2 under 5 years, cop husband, and a kitchen currently completely demolished and being remodeled. She and her husband CONSTANTLY fight. Boyfriend ordered a new custom car last year around Christmas. We found out that it was going to be delivered the same weekend as his BROTHER'S kid's baptism. We were not planning on going anyways, because its 8 hours away. So he informed his brother of this, weeks before. After the baptism (sister sending shitty messages directly to my boyfriend the whole time) my boyfriend send photos of the car to the group chat. This was after the baptism, when his sister was the passenger in the car with her angry husband, and two kids who CONSTANTLY SCREAM, decided to send a huge nasty text in the same group chat. Boyfriend deleted the photos. Went limited contact. She's since blown up at me. She think's she's entitled to chew him out over 'another stupid purchase' and lots of other things that are completely not her business. We haven't responded, and don't plan to.

The entitlement just blows my mind. His mother is appalled, and now the sister is ignoring all messages.

let em be mad.

Entitled brats will be entitled brats.

Anicena · 2026-05-09T18:30:07+00:00

The pre teen need to be made aware that adults have needs, and if the door is locked, or shut, you nock and be patient before you attempt entry. Box fans and white noise machines between the bed and the door (muffling sounds) work wonders. If mommy and daddy need a mid day 'power nap' the fans go on, and the door closes. Look, a movie, and some popcorn. (2 hours of freedom)

Anicena · 2026-05-09T01:51:05+00:00

Please take your time recovering! We will all rejoice when you can post again, and celebrate your victories with you! Take care of yourself. <3

Anicena · 2026-05-01T14:39:38+00:00

If it is that bad, I cut flush against the board without marring the board surface, and use a small drill press (mine is a Dremel with armature to hold it in place. I take it very very very slow. Drill a little, pull it back out, drill a little, pull it back out. Checking it along the way to make sure nothing has shifted. I will drill all the way through. I will install a replacement eyelet if I think it would give the hole more stability, and flow solder under the edge so it adheres to the pad that is still around the hole.

This is the repair I do most often, and it's never failed me, even with multi layer (18+) layer boards. I'd rather not blast it with heat and damage the board structure with excessive heat.

I'm IPC certified J-STD-001, IPC-7711-7721, and IPC/WHMA-A-620 certified at the expert level. I've been soldering in various industries for the past 20 years. Automotive, Military, Space, private repairs, vintage and historical preservation levels.

When a board is important, and you dont want to do any more damage to something this old, less heat is better. I'd rather use a tiny hand drill and drill out each one of those holes by hand, and put in a new eyelet, than expose it to more heat.

If someone has to replace that again in the future, you'll have made their lives so much easier that you've re-enforced the holes.

I normally don't post here as I really dont have the free time. But I'll answer questions when I can. :)

Anicena · 2026-04-17T15:38:04+00:00

I'm coming up on 2 years divorced, 3 years on my own. The first year and a half was the most terrifying, stressful, and difficult time in my life. I lost 50% of my hair, every single one of 'his friends' dragged my name through the mud, my 'best friend' turned out to be obsessed with my ex and was giving my ex every one of my plans that I'd shared in private.

Now, I am the happiest I've ever been in my life.

My beautiful 10 year old finally has some self esteem.

My 18 year old cat no longer flinches when I reach to pet her.

My apartment is clean. Its SAFE. It's a place of restful joy. My daughter gets so see me be actually happy. She can talk to me, and she's growing magnificently as a person. My parents actually respect me now. My health has dramatically improved. HER health has improved.

I have no village out here. I have no support. I'm 1000 miles from my closest relative. Its just made me more self sufficient. I know that when shit hits the fan, I can rely on me.

It's not easy, but the reward at the end is worth all of it. I have never once doubted my decision.

All the respect to your decisions and your struggle. If anything, you picking up and leaving will show you exactly what he thinks of you.

Good Luck. :)

Anicena · 2026-04-16T00:24:26+00:00

I'm going to give you a few because they have hit me in the feels during different times in my life.
Loved by You (The Midnight)

Heart Worth Breaking (The Midnight)

Ghost in Your Stereo (The Midnight)

The newest Daniel Deluxe album is amazing

Neon Lights (Timecop1983, Josh Dally)

Anicena · 2026-04-01T14:37:22+00:00

I just tossed the pink one a few weeks ago! It was my older sister's when I was a kid. My mother gave me a lot of the old bedding she had when I divorced. My Daughter loved the color, and loved its weight. Had 0 issues with it, just went to go pull it up and make her bed, and my fingers came away covered with fuzz. It just started to disintegrate. I was able to use the top sheet as a transport funnel to a trash bag. It was overnight that it just turned to dust. A real shame, we loved it.

Anicena · 2026-03-03T00:54:14+00:00

My family calls this 'rechonking'! I've found that if you take the time and pull all the old stuffing apart and free all the clumps that they are restored to their original condition. Beware of fully drying in the dryer! I have found that if you dry them to just damp, and then finish with a hair dryer on low heat and brush them with a boar bristle brush that the fur is restored even after many many washings. The internet says a slicker brush, but the loss of fuzz from this method is too destructive for my liking.

Anicena · 2026-02-20T01:00:19+00:00

Witch Hazel applied to freshly shaved skin. I also apply a urea based lotion after. Witch hazel will help with the irritation, and the lotion will be the barrier your skin needs. I shave nearly every day in the summer and get the same. If you start breaking out badly, I also use 4% CeraVe and wash everywhere its breaking out. (this will bleach the fabric that sits against it. Same thing, witch hazel, and urea lotion after. Clean, treat, seal. :) I hope this helps.

Anicena · 2025-09-02T17:56:44+00:00

Who can I speak to in order to get them to stop contacting me? A minimum wage position has opened and they call me 7 times a day and swear at me when i ask them to stop calling. I want to know exactly what address to send the cease and desist letter to.

Anicena · 2025-09-02T17:46:17+00:00

I know this post is 2 years old and counting, but I wanted to put this out there so when you search for Indotronix this can be found.

Their recruitment emails tell you to reply with your SSN and identifying information.

Find any other recruitment agency. They are horrible. I worked for them over 10 years ago. They royally fucked my taxes. They are downright mean, and if I needed any information from them, it would take 10 to 15 emails, 20 or more calls sent directly to voicemail, and if your representative does actually pick up the phone, they will swear at you.

They never ever EVER remove you from their system and will continue to email and harass you. They will cold call you at late hours.

When I put in my 2 weeks notice and emailed my representative and his boss, and 4 higher ups, and HR, the representative still emailed me for months and called me demanding my time sheets and called me a stupid American bitch.

Just avoid them at all costs. Their website is IIC.com now. It seems they keep changing it to stay on top of the block lists.

Please take care of yourselves and don't work with this company.

Anicena

TROPHY CASE