Setting up a VAXstation

[Tothwolf]

On Mon, 1 Oct 2007, Tony Duell wrote:

>> I've not soldered a computer cable since the 1980s and I was rubbish at 
>> it then. And even so, I have no source for the relevant connectors!
>
> For the last part, RS components, Farnell, Digikey???
>
> For the first part, I'd offer to do it for you, but it would be illegal 
> to do so. Owing to our totally daft laws, (a) I'd have to use lead-free 
> solder, which I don't have, don't trust, and am not set up to use and 
> (b) it has been said that if an enthusiast (specifically a model 
> engineer, but it would apply here too) does jobs for others, then his 
> workshop becomes a workplace and is covered by all the daft 
> health-and-safety rules that I have no desire to get involved with, and 
> which quite honestly, would stop me from getting on with things.

I'm wondering, does any of that also apply to cables imported into the UK 
from the US? 99% of the cables I make and ship to the UK are made with 
crimped connections (done with the correct OEM tooling and given a good 
pull test too). Because a lot of the connectors I use are NOS/vintage, I 
really have no idea if they have lead in them though. I suspect most don't 
as the D-sub pins I tend to use are the gold plated AMP brand pins, but 
this does get me wondering. I know the modular plugs I use are lead free 
at least.