Solder

Solder is used with a soldering iron to attach electronic components and wires together. It comes in both leaded and lead-free varieties. Leaded solder is usually preferred due to its lower melting point and its ease to work with - just don't eat your sandwich while soldering!

Due to the fine soldering required in portables, thin solder is a necessity. ≈ 0.020 in (≈ 0.5mm) thick solder is a good size.

The community's favorite solder is Kester 24-6337-0010, a 1 lb spool of 0.020in diameter 63/37 (tin/lead). While an investment, a single roll will last dozens of projects.