My personal gripe is chemicals and sundries that have been ruined to meet modern health and safety controls.
At the moment electrical solder.
What utter garbage -
I have a 15 year old roll on a drum somewhere.
Never had issues with absorption into the copper wires (tinning), and joining wires together.
Not sure if it is brand specific, but after losing my old faithful reel, I had to buy a skinny plastic reel from Aldi or Lidl in a hurry.
The solder acts like molten plastic. I virtually have to mould it around the wires to joint them together.
The solder mostly cools to a dull "dry" looking finish.
Of course I use the NASA approved overlap method for maximum surface contact.
Time will tell how long the joints will last.
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One other substance that I miss is "Gencleen".
Awesome degreaser and surface cleaner - unfortunately it was VERY effective at getting you off your face with the fumes.
I vaguely remember getting high as a kite when building circuit boards at Ferranti Electronics in 1984 / 85.
My formative "Youth Training Scheme" days.
God bless the YTS.
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Other chemicals to be ruined to reduce harmful fumes are thinners, glue, and even white spirit.
All have been rendered virtually useless.
