I second solder paste, and it can be used with a regular soldering iron in addition to with a hot air rework tool! Solder paste with very conservative use of a soldering iron is actually my favorite way to solder, mainly because (a) it gives you tons of flux on each joint, and (b) I have one fewer thing (the solder) that I need to hold steady.

With solder paste, the main thing is being careful with how much heat you apply and for how long. As I mentioned, solder paste contains a LOT of flux. That liquid/gel flux winds up with way more surface area in contact with the solder particles in the paste than the flux core of wire-type solder, so the heat distributes in it much quicker. And since so much flux is involved, I find that solder paste gives me better joints and even better coverage when tinning stranded wire than with wire solder!

Best wishes for your project! You got this!

When I was in college (so maybe 20 or 21 years old), I asked my mom when I would start feeling like an adult. Without missing a beat, she said “I dunno. If you find out, let me know!” <3

I guess I started feeling more like a “real” adult when I started working full-time and rented a house instead of an apartment, though now even that pales in comparison to when I finally purchased my own home. Each phase of life feels more “grown-up” than the last, with new perspectives, greater understanding of my relationships with God and people, and matured confidence going into the new phase’s challenges. And yet I’m still me at heart–as I like to call it, “a big kid with bills.” I am very blessed.

+1 on the great documentation! Have I ever used Arch? No, and there are enough distros out there that I’m not sure I ever will. But have I ever referenced Arch’s wiki? Yes, often, and plan to continue to do so. <3 to the Arch Wiki authors!

Like many in this thread, I like to wash shirts with designs/print on them inside-out to wear out the design more slowly.

For pants, in addition to not wanting rivets/buttons to catch on other clothes, I turn pants inside-out for washing–but I made it a personal rule that I only turn pants inside-out once I have checked and emptied the pockets. So if I’m putting things in the washer and find any right-side out pants, I know to check the pockets (and turn them inside-out) before sending them on their laundry journey. As a result, I don’t remember the last time I accidentally washed something in a pocket. 😊