Hey @halliwax ! Yes, https://www.tequipment.net/ was the lowest price back then too and it was a pleasant purchasing experience!
Yes, the link I put up for the 28 AWG wire assortment is for 50' of wire in total. More than enough to wire several lightsabers.
I compared his 25' 28 AWG wire at $4.36 to the $10.34 at powerwerx when you posted their link and was like :eek. :lol
navships has several other gauges of wire if you click on "See other items".
For an assortment of 30AWG...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/30-AWG-Sil...366525?hash=item36282e723d:g:10wAAOSwlMFZLvPb
... navships is $0.01 more per 25' length but $1.54 less for shipping, so you're saving $1.49 if you were buying 5 bundles of wire.
Everything from him is sent via USPS in a bubble envelope and arrives fairly quickly depending on USPS.
I know the GOTH-3D Chassis requires 30 AWG, but I'm making my own Chassis and Crystal Chamber, so I'm using the 28AWG. I had a line on some 28 AWG that was striped the way I wanted, had the higher 19 strand count, wasn't too expensive, but the quantity was 100' minimum with no returns and they wouldn't even send me a simple 6" length of wire in a regular old sealed envelope to allow me to make certain that it was thin enough to fit into where I need it to before I placed my order. Anywho, that's when I started looking for recommendations and navships was the guy that everyone was pointing towards, so I got my wires from him. He has 100% positive reviews on eBay.
As far as fluxes go, it's the formula for what it's to be used with, LEADED or LEAD-FREE. Here's a quick article...
https://www.itri.co.uk/solders/news-4/does-lead-free-flux-make-a-difference
I don't think Rob and Irv ever even mention flux now that I think about it. I didn't get any when I ordered all my soldering equiptment. I'll have to revisit their Youtube videos to double check!
Depending on who you talk to, LEADED solder is easier to work with because it has a lower melting/flow temperature than LEAD-FREE. I think it all boils down to experience with a certain product/technique. I chose to order all LEAD-FREE solders and solder pastes so that I don't have to worry about poisoning myself or anyone that ever handles my lightsaber. I just feel more comfortable health-safety-wise with LEAD-FREE and I'm going to have to practice soldering a lot anyway before I set iron to CFv8, so why not learn with something that's safer?!
p.s. Not having LEADED solder for your water pipes is a GREAT THING!
OH! And seriously! If you have flux with a brush or whatnot that has come into contact with LEADED solder, you may have contaminated that container of flux, so it'd be a good idea to get a new batch of flux for LEAD-FREE ONLY USE!
if rob is east coast sabers, he mentions it in a few videos, i only know this because i binge watched his 2.0 series. shameem also swears by flux. i only know of flux because of all the plumbing and ac work ive done
as for the lead free solder on water pipes, it doesnt bother me since all those pipes in the ground to get to my house are 200 year old lead and asbestos lol
i agree with ya, lead free sucks to work with... and with joining copper it sucks....
really appreciate the info, and links you have supplied. if i didnt already order my wiring i would have gone your eBay route... my buddy wants me to do a few for him, so he covered the wire this time around