July Caption Contest

Here we are again - time for a caption contest.

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July is officially halfway over, so before we run out of days, it's time for this month's caption contest. The rules are simple:

  • Leave your funniest clean caption in the comments section below. We reserve the right to delete captions that we deem inappropriate. Stick to PG-13 content.
  • Captions submitted any other way besides in the comment section, whether it be smoke signal, carrier pigeon, feedback form, email or otherwise, will not be accepted!
    • Captions will be accepted from the moment this post goes live until Thursday, July 18th at 9 a.m. Mountain Time.
    • A crack team of humor experts will pick the winner and we will announce it whenever we want to (in the few days after the contest ends).

Here's your photo:

alt text

Your Caption Goes Here.

The winner this go-around receives $100 in SparkFun gift bucks to use on whatever you want! Today is the day, and you are the captioner - have at it! Cheers!


Comments 394 comments

  • Gizzygo / about 11 years ago / 14

    (In Australian ascent) That's not a soldering iron. This a Soldering Iron mate.

  • kfitch42 / about 11 years ago / 10

    Some people choose to use a microscope when they have problems seeing the solder joint. I choose to not have the problem in the first place.

  • magicsmoke / about 11 years ago / 9

    The key to a good solder joint is upper body strength.

  • James Matthew / about 11 years ago / 8

    Heat causes metal to expand. If any of your soldering tips look like this, please adjust the temperature before proceeding.

  • kpFerg / about 11 years ago / 7

    And this, class, is why we always double check the decimal place when ordering soldering equipment online...

  • Qtechknow / about 11 years ago / 7

    Why can't I solder SMD fine pitch? Oh yeah, the giant soldering iron burns the whole board. :)

  • Matt Rasband / about 11 years ago / 7

    "In Mother Russia, Iron Solder You!"

  • Jordawesome / about 11 years ago / 6

    When I say 60/40 solder, I mean pounds.

  • diz / about 11 years ago / 6

    People keep stealing pens off my desk. Not anymore.

  • Remember, heat the desk, not the solder.

  • GPProductions / about 11 years ago / 5

    ... can I get a couple of you to hold the solder?

  • Jeff and Jack / about 11 years ago / 5

    You STILL can't see it!? It's RIGHT THERE! Do I need an even BIGGER pointer!?

  • Finally_Joe / about 11 years ago / 5

    Cold solder joint? Size matters.

  • PharoahsMummy / about 11 years ago / 5

    "No, Mr. Bull, I expect you to die!"

  • PharoahsMummy / about 11 years ago / 5

    "Say hello to my little friend!"

  • Member #172641 / about 11 years ago / 5

    This is how you use a 1.21 gigawatt iron.

  • cholq / about 11 years ago / 4

    There seems to be some miscommunication here. I was told I'd be presenting this demo to a very large audience.

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 4

    The Fire Marshal only had this final flickr upload to figure out how the fire got started.

  • Jess2 / about 11 years ago / 4

    Reflow softly, and carry a big iron.

  • Member #228967 / about 11 years ago / 4

    "As the instructor for this class, I just want to be sure that you all signed your waivers"

  • To ensure even heating during hot-air rework, we at SparkFun have developed a technique to heat all of the air in the room.

  • Leif / about 11 years ago / 4

    It's not the size of your tip...it's how you use it!

  • Member #61389 / about 11 years ago / 4

    "...and then after assembly, for final inspection, we use this pogo pin to simultaneously check every single test point on each board."

  • andy4us / about 11 years ago / 4

    The guy at the end was tense, but he knew that being closest to the door might come in handy later.

  • TheMoogle / about 11 years ago / 4

    Moments before the teaching room was destroyed."The war head for the missile you will be assembling today is very robust and safe. Watch as I bang its trigger mechanism on the desk. "

  • Kaius / about 11 years ago / 4

    Sons of SparkFun! A day may come when the soldering skill of Men fails, when we forsake SMD components and break out the breadboards, but it is not this day!

  • mallcitybear / about 11 years ago / 4

    Sparkfun's new Stylus; when you REALLY need to make your point!

  • Member #445498 / about 11 years ago / 4

    Steve Jobs: "Who wants a stylus? You have to get em and put em away, and you lose em. Yuck. Nobody wants a stylus." Sparkfun: "We'll see about that!"

  • ftrocchi / about 11 years ago / 4

    Is this the tryouts for the SparkFun Olympics?

  • Joel Gilly / about 11 years ago / 3

    "... and that's how you do that, in case you were wondering. (Giggles) "You'll have to excuse me, this is my first time teaching this class. Thank God I remembered to bring something to drink!" (More nervous laughter). (Aside) "Wow, the mountains do turn blue when it gets cold. I thought that was just a gimmick." (Chokes back another laugh. Fidgets. Is aware that he is losing his audience. Desperately...) "Hey! That reminds me of a story... When I was a kid, we lived in this really old Victorian house in rural Pennsylvania - like the one you see in the 'Adam's Family' or 'Psycho', and it had this creepy dug-out cellar, and my brother - we would be playing around like kids do, and yeah! He would, umm, yeah, lock me down there and turn off the lights, and I would like start crying... (Sniffles, and wipes his eyes..) "Ahhh... Good times!" (Wipes his eyes again) "That's when I got into Ham radio..."

  • Ted M / about 11 years ago / 3

    Brain: Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering? Pinky: I think so, Brain, but where are we going to find a giant soldering iron at this hour? Oh, I see that you are way ahead of me!

  • IP-Eagle / about 11 years ago / 3

    Now soldering that 0000 gauge wire to the connector would normally be a problem, but ........

  • Member #312255 / about 11 years ago / 3

    I said 40 watt NOT 40 Kilowatt!!!!

  • simmers / about 11 years ago * / 3

    If you're havin' solder problems I feel bad for you, son; I got 99 problems but a pitch aint one.

  • Crawdad / about 11 years ago / 3

    Now, where did I put that 55 gallon drum of flux ... ?

  • Zio / about 11 years ago / 3

    Behold Sparkfun's latest invention: DSMT - Desk Surface Mount Technology

  • Uncle Remus / about 11 years ago * / 3

    Hand over the money, or I'll stab Ron Perlman!

  • Where will you be when diarrhea strikes?

  • dksmall / about 11 years ago / 3

    Excellent question! Let me make a quick note here.......

  • Thetinkerer / about 11 years ago / 3

    So then you load the missile and prime the...oh hello there, um, uh, we were, uh, Simon says anyone?

  • jon.whitten / about 11 years ago / 3

    "Whosoever of ye raises me a white-headed whale with a wrinkled brow and a crooked jaw; whosoever of ye raises me that white-headed whale, with three holes punctured in his starboard fluke- look you, whosoever of ye raises me that same white whale, he shall have this gold ounce, my boys!'" -- Captain Ahab

  • Pistachio / about 11 years ago / 3

    Today class, we are learning how to solder surface mount.

  • RyeMAC3 / about 11 years ago / 3

    You think this is big? You should see the inkwell!

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 3

    Lipstick delivery for Ms. Jolie...

  • ECOFOR / about 11 years ago / 3

    My boss insists I didn't need a big screen in my SMD soldering class ...

  • customerX / about 11 years ago / 3

    “Here I am giving the only presentation I ever gave on the Very Large Scale Integration Program I ran at SparkFun.”

  • roysjosh / about 11 years ago / 3

    After welding together their armor, ancient knights would then joust with their irons. As you can see, SMD work would have been almost impossible.

  • Member #332983 / about 11 years ago / 3

    "So as you can see, the un-shrink ray makes it much easier to solder the..." "Excuse me, why not un-shrink just the part to normal size?" "... Get out."

  • You were not kidding that your iron is to big for SMD work!

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 2

    Before I fire this sucker up... uh, Dave, you're sitting closest to the fire extinguisher. Do you mind pulling the pin out of the handle, just to be safe?

  • I like soldering irons. This one is my favorite.

  • gmcerveny / about 11 years ago / 2

    Feel free to come up front if you're having trouble seeing what I'm doing.

  • 9VLicker / about 11 years ago / 2

    Deep within a bleak and dismal swamp, hidden beneath its murky waters, lies the headquarters of the most sinister villains of all time: The Legion of Doom!

  • Tenacious_Techhunter / about 11 years ago / 2

    A Sparkfun employee demonstrates to students the technique John Hancock used when signing the Declaration of Independence.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 2

    There can be only one!

  • Member #423645 / about 11 years ago / 2

    I NEED MORE SOLDERING IRON!

  • mmetzger / about 11 years ago / 2

    Further proof that Red Bull and solder fumes can have unintended side effects.

  • BalashiFan5 / about 11 years ago / 2

    If you think this is big, you should check out my solder wick.

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 2

    I think we're gonna need a bigger brass sponge.

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 2

    Hi! I'm Tim "the Tool-Man" Taylor and today on Tool Time we're introducing the new Binford "Solder-matic 5000"! Arrrr, arrrrr, arrrrrrrr!!

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 2

    If a 50-watt soldering iron is good, a 5000-watt iron is 100x better, right?

  • gadgetdad / about 11 years ago / 2

    We use this to solder the arduino megas.

  • Member #362693 / about 11 years ago / 2

    When Steve quickly volunteered to show off his soldering skills he was all excited....until they gave him the soldering iron.

  • gmckinney / about 11 years ago / 2

    ...Now, gently apply minimal heat to each SMD component simultaneously...

  • sleeper / about 11 years ago / 2

    "I don't always solder, but when I do, I prefer to solder everything at the same time"

  • Member #396034 / about 11 years ago * / 2

    Constantly plagued by cold joints and oxidized tips? Can you even solder any 80 pin QFP chips? We decided that this problem needs immediate addressing, and here at Sparkfun, we like to take things a bit further. Through hours of redesign and testing, our team of engineers came up with the Patriot Series soldering irons. These irons feature a 3.5 giga-watt heating element sustained by small liquid fluoride thorium reactor, so you will never get any cold joints ever again! Special features include reflow mode, where it essentially turns your workshop into a reflow oven for fine pitched TQFP soldering, a low power mode, where it only consumes a measly 1.1 giga-Watts of power, and the best part, a comfort grip for ergonomic use! So get your new patriot iron today, and even a kid can get professional joints (adult supervision recommended)! Debuting a Friday near you.

  • Maxim / about 11 years ago / 2

    ... you're probably wondering why there's dried blood on this spear? Simple. I DON'T WANT NO STINKING SOLDER BRIDGES.

  • rben13 / about 11 years ago / 2

    This way you get even heating over the entire board.

  • Member #189314 / about 11 years ago / 2

    The soldering workshop turned out to be HUGE.

  • When using a soldering iron of this caliber, you may find it necessary to change your tip at least once every 3 minutes.

  • Member #111280 / about 11 years ago / 2

    And this is the standard warhead for the new intercontinental missile-shield for the Arduino.

  • Mouse2 / about 11 years ago / 2

    Remember kids, when borrowing tools from your giant robot overlords that it is important to ask a friend to spot you during the soldering process

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 2

    I love this new soldering iron, but I'm going broke buying solder for it.

  • agemoz / about 11 years ago / 2

    Soldering class Rule Number 1: Cardio!

  • bdrews / about 11 years ago / 2

    When I was a boy through hole parts were as big as soda cans, and soldering irons were the size of tree trunks....

  • Member #307284 / about 11 years ago / 2

    When building a really big robot, don't forget your really big soldering iron...

  • c2squared / about 11 years ago / 2

    Actual Size: Production Begins on Samsung Galaxy S5

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 2

    Hey, has anybody seen my helping hands with the magnifying glass?

  • IP-Eagle / about 11 years ago * / 2

    Of course I use lead-free solder, do you think I'm stupid?

  • Member #339678 / about 11 years ago / 2

    It's important never to forget your USB microscope.

  • IP-Eagle / about 11 years ago / 2

    If you want a 3D printer to have a build envelope the size of the parking lot, then this is the extruder tip I would suggest.

  • Member #106475 / about 11 years ago / 2

    Welcome to soldering 101! The instructor, Mr. Norris, will be here shortly.

  • qbryant1983 / about 11 years ago / 2

    This was just released and is the latest in laser hair removal. It comes with attachment for Nose, Ear, Lip and Arm included for a 3 easy payments of $19.95.

  • trevor / about 11 years ago / 2

    Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room.

  • EvilGenius121 / about 11 years ago / 2

    (Jeremy Clarkson) POWERRRRR!!!

  • AustinSpafford / about 11 years ago / 2

    "Why yes, a Costco opened up near here just recently. Why do you ask?"

  • The IEEE's best practices committee was not amused by Tim's attempt at prop comedy.

  • Member #367557 / about 11 years ago / 2

    its not big and its not clever

  • Honus / about 11 years ago * / 2

    In order to prepare for a Kaiju attack, Sparkfun creates their Jaeger Division.

  • EvilGenius121 / about 11 years ago / 2

    Insert witty phrase about gigantic monster soldering iron here.

  • Member #136363 / about 11 years ago / 2

    People, this is an enlarged model of the original word processor.

  • Leif / about 11 years ago / 2

    Sparkfun Motto: Walk softly, but carry a big solder iron.

  • jwschmo / about 11 years ago / 2

    It's all in the wrists

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 2

    From Hell's heart... I stab at thee!

  • MartinCU2010 / about 11 years ago / 2

    MEMS at work. Monster ElectroMechanical systems

  • Member #454682 / about 11 years ago / 2

    When soldering power lines to power plants, you must use a bigger soldering iron like this one.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 2

    “There was an accident with a contraceptive and a time machine.”

  • Cmdr_data / about 11 years ago / 2

    I used to repair giant TV screens.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 2

    “It's quicker, easier, and involves less licking”

  • pYr0 / about 11 years ago / 2

    Real men sign their names in flux.

  • mceranski / about 11 years ago / 2

    Beware students! These new Pogo Pins have a lot of recoil!

  • GPProductions / about 11 years ago / 2

    ... now class the "Shoulder Iron" will ensure maximum coverage.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 2

    “You may dispense with the pleasantries, commander. I am here to put you back on schedule”

    • KM4HPK / about 11 years ago / 1

      I love Star Wars, but this doesn't fit in the context of this post.

      More importantly NICE!!!!

  • Colecago / about 11 years ago / 2

    "Make sure to use the correct iron and tip for the job. I use this iron for 080005 packages. Also to melt ice off my sidewalks."

  • GeneralPHY / about 11 years ago / 2

    And they said it couldn't be done

  • GeneralPHY / about 11 years ago / 2

    One small step for man . . . one giant leap for tutorials

  • Member #398372 / about 11 years ago / 2

    "Now class grab your 8 inch soldering iron...oh that must have been a typo. Too late"

  • asciirory / about 11 years ago / 2

    "I'm afraid that answer is incorrect, Steve, and you all know the consequences..."

  • Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you keep it a secret!

  • DrPhibes / about 11 years ago / 2

    You say my joints are cold!? REFLOW THIS Ron Perlman.

  • Colin_C / about 11 years ago / 2

    Jimmy demonstrates that it's not about the size of your soldering iron but how you use it.

  • Kamiquasi / about 11 years ago / 2

    You want me to solder the can to the desk with that spool of solder? Challenge ..uncertain.

  • Nicholas2 / about 11 years ago / 2

    ....Alright, This is not my pen.

  • Member #416638 / about 11 years ago / 2

    Colossus needed repairing...

  • Member #457048 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Wow. The black one's are really big.

    The worlds smallest classroom burnt down today...

    See that guy's picture on my desk?... it's riiiiiight there!

    I'm going to need an volunteer...

  • joshl / about 11 years ago / 1

    OMG RON PERLMAN IS GOING TO BE PISSED!!1!

  • Member #456272 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Just then Dave realized he had always misunderstood the saying, "standing on the shoulders of giants"

  • newsound / about 11 years ago / 1

    This tip goes to eleven.

  • Member #418473 / about 11 years ago / 1

    And while this powerful laser slowly cuts through the torture table in my lair, I will reveal the details of my intricate plot to 007 and then leave the room.

  • I prefer to use my shouldering iron to complete the really big task.

  • Member #373752 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun's new portable linear particle accelerator. Great for parties! ( Sparkfun accepts no responsibility for the misuse of this product... )

  • Member #455847 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now, according to Pete, we should next...

  • Member #442332 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Thank you for attending SF-Men master class. Let me show you how, with our brand new Good Samaritan 30kW, you'll be able to outpower Hellboy.

  • lserv / about 11 years ago / 1

    You see this red bull? In a few seconds you won't

  • lserv / about 11 years ago / 1

    I don't have time to solder one at a time!

  • zipeto / about 11 years ago / 1

    Giant soldering irons mean... GAINT ELECTRONICS!!

  • zipeto / about 11 years ago / 1

    So... this is how Sparkfun teaches soldering?

  • pauljhill / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun: surface to air missiles in stock soon.

  • Member #455544 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Size Matters!

  • da5id_underscore / about 11 years ago / 1

    Commander Micro_Bob is shown here teaching the newest Micro_Technician_Candidate class the proper posture for soldering moments before a tragically spilled bottle of flux cleared the room of all oxidation, and micro Technician candidates.

  • Member #276387 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Mr Black dreams about the day he too can own a tote tray to match his jumper

  • Member #435690 / about 11 years ago / 1

    this is a butane soldering iron, it does not have a way to ignite it, could one of you go get that flamethrower in the corner

  • Member #435690 / about 11 years ago / 1

    to make a good class you need to buy. 1-a picture of a random guy and tape it on your desk 2-a bunch of stars and hang them up every were 3-a twelve foot soldering iron 4-a dog in the backround

  • Member #435690 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Remember if you put to much solder on the soldering iron, you need to change the 4000$ tip

  • 172pilot / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now I'm ready to sign my giant "Publishers Clearinghouse" check when it comes...

  • 172pilot / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now, if I could get you all to come up and sign this petition, maybe we can get Pete to finish the companion product, the "Sparkfun Shrinking Raygun"

  • TechnoWiz2Cubed / about 11 years ago * / 1

    I have no need for a microscope today.

  • zool / about 11 years ago / 1

    It's important to wait a while for your soldering iron to heat up before using it,...I turned this one on 3 days ago so It should be hot now

  • SynapseRapture / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now, where did I leave my giant sponge?

  • SynapseRapture / about 11 years ago / 1

    When we decided to do giant checks for this year's AVC winners, it seemed like a no-brainer... Now, it just felt like a shame to let it go to waste.

  • Member #49517 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Our relationship had never been better... Then, the electric bills started coming in.....

  • CONCONGILLI / about 11 years ago / 1

    "This is very nice of you class but I said I wanted a big apple, not tools make one."

  • n1taz / about 11 years ago / 1

    Everything is bigger in Texas even the soldering irons.

  • We told James to never mix magic with soldering, we also told him not to put the soldering iron in his pocket but alas, during the international degree of marketing and general intelligence conference (i.d.o.m.a.g.i.c) he placed his soldering iron into his pocket and on withdrawal it grew a great many times bigger, unfortunately James had only completed the beginners one-way magic course, so he was stuck presenting for the rest of the conference with his over sized soldering iron!

  • Megaman / about 11 years ago / 1

    So we were thinking about how to turn soldering into an Olympic sport...

  • James0110 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Time to solder worlds largest PCB

  • Echo / about 11 years ago / 1

    Miscommunication with our supplier. "Ding and Dent"?

  • Megaman / about 11 years ago / 1

    So we were thinking about how to turn Soldering into an olympic sport...

  • SilenceIsGolden / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sure it's a little inconvenient, but you'll never lose your pen again.

  • opensourcerer / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now presenting Sparkfun™ 's brand new product, the Battery Powered Soldering Iron! (non-refundable)

  • Member #49517 / about 11 years ago / 1

    This particular item brings back the worst memories of my alien abduction.....

  • Sir Grogery / about 11 years ago / 1

    The matching solder station is still in the loading dock beside the broken fork lift.

  • l0gikG8 / about 11 years ago / 1

    In the new building we'll be able to get the roll of solder through the door

  • Blacklab1 / about 11 years ago / 1

    When Nate's 'No" policy goes horribly wrong.

  • evading / about 11 years ago / 1

    Why not just give the winner a big check signed with an ordinary pen like everybody else?

  • sem / about 11 years ago / 1

    My latest invention is a nose hair clipper for the Statue of Liberty.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    Many dragons could be betrayed by a single, relatively small soft spot on their underbelly. RedBull cans.... not so much.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    Ted was feeling "nervous but good" at the Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator demo.

  • JesseW / about 11 years ago * / 1

    After months of ridicule, insisting that no mistake had been made by using one himself, It wasn't until the SMD portion of the soldering class he was teaching, that Steve, the SparkFun Purchasing Agent, finally admitted that he had in fact, ordered the wrong soldering irons.

  • prowin / about 11 years ago / 1

    Pitch meeting for the new Blockbuster film: Soldernado!! "We're gonna need a bigger Iron!"

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    You sold a reverberating carbonizer with mutate capacities to an unlicensed, unauthorized cephalopoid?

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die."

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    Old man, I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey!

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    So, Hades, you finally made it. How are things in the underworld?

  • johnshue / about 11 years ago / 1

    Oh, sorry about the ceiling! When you said PNP, I thought you meant Purple Ninja Projectiles.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Steady...", he whispered. His Depends filled with anticipation as he approached the elusive RedBull.

  • Chilly / about 11 years ago * / 1

    "... and with this mini Shrink Ray gun we will shrinkify the microcontroller again... and that is how you solder SMT parts when your hand shakes too much because you drink too much caffeinated drinks and smoke more than a pack a day..."

  • Gblaze / about 11 years ago * / 1

    "...and a short burst of protons from the portable particle accelerator here and voila, we have a new element!"

  • ChristheCarpenter / about 11 years ago / 1

    For the last time, I have no idea why everything in this room suddenly shrunk except for this one soldering iron, and there is nothing I can do about it. For the love of God, can we just move on, folks?

    Now class, we need to heat the joint...

  • BalashiFan5 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Proper Soldering Technique - It's no joking matter

  • Member #337616 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Just had my dream audition for lead in 'Man of Steel' but they offered me the role of 'Fitzhugh' in 'Land of the Giants'

  • profmuggs / about 11 years ago / 1

    Erik's obsession with Texas-sized objects would eventually be his downfall...

  • JAVASka / about 11 years ago / 1

    Zentraedi Soldering Iron - Protoculture power adapter sold separately

  • Member #365224 / about 11 years ago / 1

    ...and that's how you make RedBull

  • Hemi345 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "I'm not compensating... SERIOUSLY, I'm not... ahh com'on guys..."

  • Fred5 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Fred Stark : The (Soldering) Iron Man.

  • Member #401698 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Everyone knew it was a bad idea to steal a soldering iron from chuck norris but the instructor just would not listen The class could tell this ment immenent doom.

  • LaserJockey / about 11 years ago / 1

    I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite solder iron at SparkFun.

  • JohnathanN. / about 11 years ago / 1

    As you can see, this pen is clearly mightier than the sword.

  • North Alabama PC / about 11 years ago / 1

    Here is the SparkFun product testing lab, the panel deliberates over if the new thru-hole soldering iron with replaceable tips from China will pass the test of soldering Rob's coffee cup to his desk! We are going to get you Rob! [insert evil laugh and the tip here]

  • Pistachio / about 11 years ago / 1

    Begin by tinning your iron with the delicious taste of red bull.

  • tails / about 11 years ago / 1

    Just because bigger is better, it still doesn't make it write!

  • Member #368888 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Okay, which one of you losers nicked my Simon Says?

  • Member #48770 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Only an enormous pen is mightier than a sword.

  • Member #454896 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "The key to soldering SMD components by hand is proper tip selection."

  • nebulous / about 11 years ago / 1

    Life before the inexpensive laser diode.

  • Member #345205 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun Inc. reviews their new line of compost powered workbench tools.

  • Member #167681 / about 11 years ago / 1

    ..and that is why with sufficient Red Bull, even this PVC rocket can have wings.

  • Member #286247 / about 11 years ago / 1

    This meeting of the "Geeks of Anarchy" will come to order.

  • Pistachio / about 11 years ago / 1

    I swear, my dog unloaded this massive beast on the lawn yesterday.

  • Levi / about 11 years ago / 1

    "While the overhead soldering irons the company installed vastly increased productivity, it soon became clear that the operator's license classes required to use them ate up the majority of time saved."

  • Blueblast88 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "...And this is what SMD soldering feels like with the wrong soldering iron tip"

  • Member #454879 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "The new high-speed delivery service does down with aplomb"

  • 'And to summarise: by the end of the class, you'll all have made your very own intercontinental ballistic missile just like this one'

  • Member #168967 / about 11 years ago / 1

    If it takes an iron that big you better just weld it!

  • Sergio Soares / about 11 years ago / 1

    Soldering class, Chuck Norris style.

  • Member #22010 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Ron Pearlman's latest movie, Pacific Rim, features 25-story-tall robots fighting monsters. Today we'll demonstrate how to field repair an SMT component on such large machines. This can represents a 0.001uF capacitor . . . "

  • Member #340370 / about 11 years ago / 1

    The latest in micro-miniaturization is always taught during the Sparkfun National Tours.

  • Barry2 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Colonoscopy design class at Acme medical.

  • lightpeople / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun's newest soldering iron, for those still in the Jurassic age.

  • rben13 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Damn, it was supposed to shrink the can!

  • Member #403660 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Honey I shrunk the engineers

  • joesugar / about 11 years ago / 1

    I hate trying to sign a check with these bank pens.

  • Member #189314 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Introducing Sparkfun's new learn to solder series: Desks.

  • Member #210216 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun's Sodering Kungfu - Sign up for a class today an become a peerless master solderer!

  • Rohar / about 11 years ago / 1

    "I know the map on the wall still shows the USSR, but trust me, these soldering techniques are state of the art."

  • Member #450407 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Ahem. You seem to have misunderstood. The L in LART stands for "luser" not "laser." Still, we admire your ambition.

  • RFsynthesizer / about 11 years ago / 1

    Breaking News: Terrorist bomb making cell found in beginners soldering class at local community college. film at 11...

  • mjkuwp / about 11 years ago / 1

    all right, the first person that falls asleep...

  • mattstroud / about 11 years ago / 1

    And they said i could do fine soldering with my chisel tip!! I'll show them.......

  • Member #427482 / about 11 years ago / 1

    My name is Sergey Bubka. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

  • Member #442332 / about 11 years ago * / 1

    I, Ron Perlman approve this Hell of a tool.

  • Wylly / about 11 years ago / 1

    And our new product is Chuck Norris' soldering iron.

  • WilliamHenryHarrisonsGhost / about 11 years ago / 1

    It's been often asked what happens in the north pole during the summer months. Most elves brush up on their soldering skills.

  • Member #393725 / about 11 years ago / 1

    According to Pete... "Yeah, I don't think he's right this time"

  • MichaelAtOz / about 11 years ago / 1

    Unlike the others; having seen this all before, Rover stays on the safe side.

  • The Doctor Doge / about 11 years ago / 1

    Epic sonic screwdriver!!!!!!!!!!

  • Member #454823 / about 11 years ago / 1

    That not a knife. This is a knife! -Crocodile Dundee

  • The Doctor Doge / about 11 years ago / 1

    Note: this is not part of your Sparkfun Inventor's Kit

  • The Doctor Doge / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now, who wants to hold the solder?

  • MichaelAtOz / about 11 years ago / 1

    The review panel are not impressed by Andrew's proposed laser infused Infra-Red-bull.

  • Member #340158 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I can find a use for anything. Nothing is wasted. Take this video camera with no zoom function for example...

  • Erk / about 11 years ago / 1

    When in doubt, use something bigger.

  • bkiba / about 11 years ago / 1

    I'm Rob Perlman and I approve this message

  • Mezeaa / about 11 years ago / 1

    Welcome to SparkFun's National Tour SMT soldering workshop! Today's lesson: fun with QFN56s

  • Member #421778 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "We get the warhead and we hold the world ransom for... ONE MILLION DOLLARS!" -Dr. Evil

  • They said I'd never be a big shot in the electronics industry. I showed them.

  • boromir2482 / about 11 years ago / 1

    And finally , for all your projects gone bad today , introducing .. BOARD VAPORIZER 1.0 by Sparkfun.

  • hrapozo / about 11 years ago / 1

    Have anyone seen the soldering station for this soldering iron?

  • hrapozo / about 11 years ago / 1

    I am taking this here rocket and fitting it into that TARDIS CanSat on the desk over there.

  • magee / about 11 years ago / 1

    Um.... I think you mis-understood me when I said "I don't see the point."

  • jma89 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Tony demonstrates again how NOT to launch your tip directly into the ceiling.

  • Member #454801 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Crud...the stand is still in the truck.

  • Kryoclasm / about 11 years ago / 1

    I wonder if using a live nuclear warhead was a bad idea for this demostration?

  • Member #268720 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Hank pitches his Atmega soldering iron to potential investors.

  • skip / about 11 years ago / 1

    And this is how we apply solder paste to the new series of 4e6_2e6 resistors!

  • Seawolves ROV team / about 11 years ago / 1

    Gentlemen... behold! A pen that is mightier than a sword!

  • Member #382396 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Just what I needed for that Fine pitch QFP package!

  • Member #396210 / about 11 years ago / 1

    ...and I used this one on the 500KV tower.

  • Member #99918 / about 11 years ago / 1

    to the left you can see that the cruise missiles are being developed, on the right wall the points are plotted on the world map. Total control will soon belong to Sparkfun!

  • RFsynthesizer / about 11 years ago / 1

    While Mr. Kotter was out of the room and put Arnold Horshack in charge, the sweathogs tied up Horshack in the closet and were about to change the class grades on Kotters desk.

  • Member #330563 / about 11 years ago / 1

    It's an Airbrush Gun for SMD labeling.

  • Member #376433 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now you know how an SMD feels

  • Davidjh / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Now, class, if you will remove the 30 Terawatt free electron laser from your World Domination Inventors Kit, we can begin..."

  • taco / about 11 years ago / 1

    Honey, I shrunk Sparkfun!

  • Hoobert / about 11 years ago / 1

    This week on Extreme Soldering...

  • Member #236519 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Hahahaha..... That's what she said."

  • Member #454782 / about 11 years ago / 1

    a North Korean missile has nothin' on us!

  • Member #454782 / about 11 years ago / 1

    ...and then simply hit the 'enter' key on your keyboard!

  • NicoSimon / about 11 years ago / 1

    Hmmmffft! Now, I'm not gonna miss it!

  • criffe88 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Honey...I blew up the soldering iron!

  • JayMarshall / about 11 years ago / 1

    The wild Perlman, coaxed out by your red bull bait trap, will require several strikes to be taken down completely. Aim for the chest, but be sure to stay away from his dangerous jaws and immaculate hair.

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 1

    The blond guy in the middle is right in the cross-hairs, and he looks scared.

  • dead-eye / about 11 years ago / 1

    Goofus uses a giant soldering iron to demonstrate proper soldering techniques... Gallant uses the desk-mounted video camera and video projector.

  • So those of you in the cheep seats in the back of the room can see, I'm pointing to the can on my desk...

  • IP-Eagle / about 11 years ago / 1

    Once you have put solder paste on all sides of the 1 Ohm, 1 MegaWatt resistor, you simply apply heat to the top to lock it in place.

  • bryanc806 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I'M FUNNIER THAN BILL MURRAY!!!!

  • IP-Eagle / about 11 years ago / 1

    And here is another reason I don't like 0.10" pitch headers!

  • beagle.fan / about 11 years ago / 1

    Although happy to see us, our instructor demonstrates that it really was a rocket in his pocket.

  • beagle.fan / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun Learn-To-Solder Class, Texas style.

  • Naugy / about 11 years ago / 1

    This is but one of the 1000 ways to die in the Danger Zone.

  • passerby / about 11 years ago / 1

    So... as we direct the laser...[depicted here by this scale model]...towards the patients forehead.... we can see how simple this surgery will be in the future..

  • Member #382514 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Why don't you iron my boxers while your at it.

  • Bob797 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Class always match the tool to the job at hand.

  • Member #436831 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I only brought the one hot air rework tool, but we can share.

  • R_Phoenix / about 11 years ago / 1

    OK gentlemen, this is how you get your girl...

  • olivthill / about 11 years ago * / 1

    All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy Ahab, were visibly personified, and made electronically assailable in Hobby Geek.

  • SepZed / about 11 years ago * / 1

    There's a paper beside the door that says Focus Here in big letter! it's an Eye Strain Test, If you can't read it, then you need to use this big soldering iron.

  • JakeR / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun's Next Kickstarter: The Nuclear Powered Soldering Iron (NuPSI). Stretch Goal 1: Critical Mass, Stretch Goal 2, Off Switch.

  • Member #183510 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I'm not sure if my soldering iron is large enough.

  • Member #320849 / about 11 years ago / 1

    you find out that life is a game of inches...

  • Noobulus / about 11 years ago / 1

    For when you have to solder 0 gauge wire.

  • Member #344545 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Unfortunately, the dog did not survive. Now lets try the Red Bull.

  • magicsmoke / about 11 years ago / 1

    While watching 'The Galileo Seven' I was hit with a spark of genius!

  • Member #269405 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Has embedded electronics gone to far? I would like to presenting our new programmable intelligent coffee stir stick...

  • Gizmovation / about 11 years ago / 1

    Crikey! Look, I think the little guy's thirsty!

  • Funhough / about 11 years ago / 1

    " When ventriloquists goes bad"

  • magicsmoke / about 11 years ago / 1

    We will start off small, but by the end of the class you will be able to use this bad boy.

  • That's a mighty big rocket you have there,

  • andy4us / about 11 years ago / 1

    It wasn't the size of the soldering iron that bothered the audience so much, it was the hum from the 3 phase power supply.

  • EvilGenius121 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun's newest product can suck ALL the solder joints off a board at once!

  • DaveP / about 11 years ago / 1

    The unfortunately discontinued Sparkfun Atari Missile Command workshop.

  • Honus / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Here's a little trick I learned from Ron Perlman..."

  • SeayWorld / about 11 years ago / 1

    The young men's faces showed their horror and disbelief. The men over 50 just thought, "Been there, done that!"

  • This is my new stylus.

  • J_Hodgie / about 11 years ago / 1

    As Joe presented his pitch to become the next Bond villain, the panel was skeptical

  • Lippy / about 11 years ago / 1

    When they said size doesn't matter, they lied!

  • vapidr1 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Thank you, Mr. Murphy. We'll let you know..." - Trainspotting

  • Member #383525 / about 11 years ago / 1

    You stop laughing right meow!

  • Member #383525 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I double-dare you! Say "what" one more time!

  • kd5crs / about 11 years ago / 1

    I found this when I was running in my wheel, next to the water dispenser.

  • LoneStranger / about 11 years ago / 1

    "All right class, now I'm going to demonstrate some advanced soldering techniques."

  • TeslaTrooper / about 11 years ago / 1

    Girls say always that the size doesn't matter !

  • Vrmithrax / about 11 years ago / 1

    Here at Microsoft, we have decided that touch is soooo 2012. The future is now stylus input!

  • magicsmoke / about 11 years ago / 1

    Has anyone seen my Red Bull?

  • Flynnstone / about 11 years ago / 1

    Resistance training with medicine irons.

  • Buggitt / about 11 years ago / 1

    Can you spot the dog?

  • Yodaob1 / about 11 years ago / 1

    And this is why you "really" should read read the dimensions on the website before you overnight the item.

  • echoskope / about 11 years ago / 1

    Today we will be covering the latest and greatest in surface mount soldering technology, "Death Ray Soldering"!

  • bsmithyman / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now, when you're soldering a chip with multiple leads, sometimes it works better to use a larger iron and lots of flux.

  • GreenLite / about 11 years ago / 1

    While on the National Tour in Texas we had a soldering iron go missing. We picked this one up at the local electronics shop. It didnt seem so big until we got home.

  • Member #30670 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Nick, this prototype wireless internet of things soldering iron needs some refinement!

  • robotteck / about 11 years ago / 1

    Will you guys quit giving me the shaft?

  • magicSmoke / about 11 years ago / 1

    So, After last nights Home Run Derby, I started thinking...

  • bdin / about 11 years ago / 1

    SparkFun's foreign policy: "Speak softly, and carry a big fire-stick."

  • magicSmoke / about 11 years ago / 1

    It the Sparkfun "Drive then Sign" sale!

  • dave / about 11 years ago / 1

    As you can see gentlemen, our newly developed solder-seeking missile makes quick work of even the trickiest components.

  • Member #279485 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Caption: Writer's block?

  • nanogear / about 11 years ago / 1

    Ok class, this is how Hellboy solder those giant pcbs

  • Member #350121 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Dr. Strangelove demonstrates his new Shoulder Launched Soldering Technique.

  • RFsynthesizer / about 11 years ago * / 1

    OK, Which one of you interns would like to volunteer to put an apple on your head, while I try to hit it with our newly developed projectile?

  • onebeartoe / about 11 years ago / 1

    Honey, I blew up the soldering iron!

  • Honus / about 11 years ago / 1

    "....so when faced with this problem ask yourself: What would Ron Perlman do?"

  • Member #15009 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Ok class this is a soldering iron from the fifties they used to say the bigger the blob the better the job.

  • Member #54158 / about 11 years ago / 1

    This really is rocket science. You put the spark in here and then the fun begins!

  • Gerdid1 / about 11 years ago / 1

    First, BigTime watch, then Big Dome Push Button, Big Easy Driver, Sparkfun Flame tee-2x-Large. Now what, BigSolder Kit with conical tips.

  • SuperCrackMunkey / about 11 years ago / 1

    I've designed a missile that will target anyone drinking a RedBull. Flugtag this...

  • Honus / about 11 years ago / 1

    "....and THAT is how Ron Perlman uses a soldering iron. Any questions?"

  • Member #414069 / about 11 years ago / 1

    ... and if you get tired with your gilrfiend you can always say this is your familial wedding pen...

  • Scrubb / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Bah, electronic miniaturization is a passing fad. In the future everything will be huge, I tell ya, HUGE!! And I'm going to be prepared, class. Are you with me?" --former Sparkfun soldering instructer

  • Member #445809 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Further proof that a few letters can make a big difference between "giant Java line" and "giant javelin"

  • Member #138185 / about 11 years ago / 1

    And that, ladies and gentleman, is how I converted my old howitzer into a hobbyist-friendly, 4000W soldering iron.

  • janascii / about 11 years ago / 1

    Now did anyone see where that spider went?

  • And the Sparkfun instructor said, "A big soldering iron for those pesky PTH leads..." While the class nods with aproval and continues working. .

  • Karl Bielefeldt / about 11 years ago / 1

    With health insurance rates skyrocketing, SparkFun introduces a subtle new fitness program for their employees.

  • SgtJake / about 11 years ago / 1

    Watch what my laser point can do to this energy drink.

  • Member #283407 / about 11 years ago / 1

    SMD = Soldering iron of Mass Destruction

  • Member #283407 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Seen here for the first time, we have the soldering iron that once belonged to Paul Bunyan.

  • Hammer_Time / about 11 years ago * / 1

    Death by Power(solder)point

  • Aneesh / about 11 years ago / 1

    This is called Soldering Tip , Can you see it?

  • Member #283407 / about 11 years ago / 1

    And so gentlemen, if this prototype functions as planned, the SparkFun missile delivery system should be a big help to free shipping week.

  • c312 / about 11 years ago / 1

    So what you want to pay attention to is riiiight here.

  • mftkoehler / about 11 years ago / 1

    The Sparkfun Embigulator kit, demonstrated.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    He attacked everything in life with a mix of extraordinary genius and naive incompetence, and it was often difficult to tell which was which.

  • TherapyNotWorking / about 11 years ago / 1

    For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen.

  • XLT_Frank / about 11 years ago / 1

    Up for auction is a soldering iron used by Hellboy! Donated by Ron Perlman.

  • GeneralPHY / about 11 years ago / 1

    What?! What's the point of owning a giant soldering iron if you never get to use it?

  • Kdiggity / about 11 years ago / 1

    Does everyone understand this venn diagram?

  • floppystick6 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Alright... the next person to throw a ninja star at the ceiling has to finish the class using this soldering iron!" - SFE clearly has a strict no-nonsense policy.

  • GeneralPHY / about 11 years ago / 1

    And this week's demo, we will show you how to make it rain Red Bull on Ron Pearlman

  • netamorfosis / about 11 years ago / 1

    We said "solder", not soldier!

  • TheMoogle / about 11 years ago / 1

    Ok so Nate said we needed to get sharks with lasers attached to their heads. But lasers are too expensive so we went with a open source soldering iron of mass destruction instead.

  • GeneralPHY / about 11 years ago * / 1

    This is going to be LENGEN wait-for-it CANNY

  • GeneralPHY / about 11 years ago / 1

    Soldering tutorials for the visually impaired

  • I don't care what the data sheet says! I'm still not 100% sure it's safe to use our new laser module to heat beverages. Shouldn't we be wearing safety goggles or something? Or at least open the can first?

  • Member #431162 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Please come up when I call your name to pick up your signed certificate of completion

  • LooseTooth / about 11 years ago / 1

    Once the iron reaches 600 degrees F, one can melt anything. In this example, we will reflow a giant aluminum energy drink can with a mythical man-beast.

  • Vinnie / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun presents: Anybody "Can" Tin.

  • mallcitybear / about 11 years ago / 1

    And if you thought that the cure for PacMan Fever was bad...

  • Clint- / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Back in my day reflow soldering was a little more difficult, nothing replaces a strong arm and keen focus."

  • AndrewSi / about 11 years ago / 1

    Mon crayon est jaune et large. Ok, it's not jaune, but still...

  • frnk / about 11 years ago / 1

    Bill's first attempt at adding a bio-electrical modification to his own body was a success. But the judges felt that he could have cleaned up and miniaturized the design significantly.

  • Member #283505 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun instructor demonstrates correct posture for the application of conductive icing in the new course: "Edible Circuits and You: The Cake is not a Lie"

  • LightManCA / about 11 years ago * / 1

    And now we'll show you how to make a BullDuino. Notice the very large tools we need to use in order to work with the Red Bull platform. We cannot emphaSIZE enough having the proper tools for working with the 'Bull.

  • nrarmen / about 11 years ago / 1

    ..and after you've thrown the soldering iron like a javelin at the board, it'll land like so, striking fear into the solder causing it to melt.

  • Member #221863 / about 11 years ago / 1

    here at sparkfun, we take it to the next level

  • As a final test I like to Pole Vault off my SMD devices to make sure there are no cold solder joints!!!

  • While your irons are warming up, I'm going to solder my desk to the floor for added stability!!!

  • Wayne / about 11 years ago / 1

    And, if you reverse polarity on the Shrink Ray module...

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 1

    You actually don't need a super fine iron tip to solder SMD parts. Here, let me demonstrate...

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun's newest product: Soldering Iron Lawn Darts (TM)

  • Billbo911 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "This step requires the #85 Sonic Screwdriver...."

  • RyeMAC3 / about 11 years ago / 1

    When I told them I'd need a big stylus for my presentation, this isn't what I had in mind.

  • Pokey / about 11 years ago / 1

    The bigger the blob, the better the job. At Sparkfun our blobs are the biggest.

  • Levi / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Just like Shakespeare's monkeys, if you jab it at your board enough times, you will get a perfectly soldered PCB. It works even better if you have an improbability drive laying around."

  • Cmdr_data / about 11 years ago / 1

    Does anyone else have a cold solder joint i need to fix ?

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 1

    Ron Perlman approves.

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 1

    And this is why the Air Force doesn't do mid-air refueling with Red Bull cans.

  • Cmdr_data / about 11 years ago / 1

    Did anyone bring bread to toast.

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 1

    New technique: the Javelin Solder Method (tm)

  • eewestcoaster / about 11 years ago / 1

    "This device is what allows us to get so much sugar into a Red Bull can.

  • Akaishi / about 11 years ago / 1

    ...I see by the purple trail of sparkles we have an enderman with us tonight...

  • jsooter / about 11 years ago / 1

    Here we have an anal probe found at the Roswell New Mexico UFO crash site

  • Cmdr_data / about 11 years ago / 1

    Do we have a giant socket to plug this in.

  • diz / about 11 years ago / 1

    What? It's way more (spark)fun than using the video camera and projector.

  • diz / about 11 years ago / 1

    Hey, Ted, can you give a soldering class this weekend with a golf ball, a can of red bull, three traffic cones, and 3" PVC?

  • Member #407848 / about 11 years ago / 1

    "That's a big pencil" similar to Ghostbusters "That's a big Twinkie"-Ernie Hudson

  • Meanwhile in Sparkfun headquarters the S-team evaluates the most evil pen in the whole world. Why is so evil? I don't know... It's huge.

  • diz / about 11 years ago / 1

    Bigger is not always better...especially when it comes to solder tips.

  • Far_Seeker / about 11 years ago / 1

    OK everyone I know the old expression "The pen is mightier than the sword,"... But honestly, don't you think you got a little carried away this time?

  • YetiKhan / about 11 years ago / 1

    "Go big or go home, he says. Well, me thinks there needs to be a line...Redbull cans are getting way over-sized..."

  • ME heat o nator / about 11 years ago / 1

    We, the technically inclined, have no need for lifted trucks with over-sized mud tires to "compensate"

  • North Alabama PC / about 11 years ago / 1

    "here at Sparkfun they make it very hard for us interns to solder SMD parts on the 'how to solder SMD parts' class boards"

  • scharkalvin / about 11 years ago / 1

    Sparkfun soldering class in the land of the giants.

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