True story. I was modifying a 1084 back in the day when they were new - I was putting a touch-screen overlay on it. It involved some internal surgery, mostly to put a secondary power supply inside for the overlay.
So, I'm sitting at my kitchen table, and I reach over the open monitor to grab a tool. And my bare arm touches the tops of some of the big cap cans.
The jolt caused my arm to swing back so violently that it lifted me out of the chair and back. I woke up looking up at the ceiling, and counted myself very, very lucky.
So yes, learn from my experience.
Hmm, I had something similar happen once with the starter capacitor of a florescent light ballast. Sucks doesn't it? Hard to believe that crap holds a charge that long.
Stings a mite. I understand under the wrong circumstances it can kill you.
Laid me out and left my arm tingling, and I've been able to pull active Taser leads out of my chest without dropping.
So, word of warning, be careful even if it's unplugged.
Oh, and on mixing solders, it's funny, that is how I've made it easier to remove some lead free mounted components in the past.
Now that I need a new iron, I'll have to look at the items you guys mentioned.
And I like solder braid too (except when it sticks to something,and it's a PITA to use it on through holes).
