> Sure, but components and all of your other equipment also have to be shipped. Those are not custom parts, they are shipped in bulk. > but you at least need

> Sure, but components and all of your other equipment also have to be shipped. Those are not custom parts, they are shipped in bulk. > but you at least need a decent soldering iron There are people out there who cannot afford to _need_ a $40 temperature controlled soldering iron, and irrespective of the lottery of where they were born in the world, they still have an interest in (and often a need to repair) electronics. The industry trend of ending dip package options is inevitable but it also makes things harder for many makers across developing countries.