2 questions about neo-pixels

[1885]

1. I want to purchase an entire roll of this product https://www.adafruit.com/products/1376
How do I purchase a whole roll?

2. I surface mount soldered some solid core wire to the end of an 8 pixel strip and the solder broke off when we were working with it.
Is it more efficient to use braided wire on this surface mount?
What else could I do to ensure the solder will hold? (Silicon ?)
I also need to break down and buy a Hakko Digital FX888D

[adafruit_support_bill]

1) Just put 5 in the quantity field in your shopping cart:

As of May 20, 2014 these come in 5 meter reels with a 2 or 3-pin JST SM connector on each end and separated power/ground wires. These strips are sold by the meter! If you buy 5 meters at a time, you'll get full reels with two connectors. If you buy less than 5m, you'll get a single strip, but it will be a cut piece from a reel which may or may not have a connector on it.

2) What part broke: The solder, the solder pad on the strip, or the wire?

If it was the solder, then it was probably a 'cold joint'. http://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-guid ... n-problems
If it was the solder pad, this can be due to overheating of the joint.
If it was the wire, solid-core wire is more likely than stranded wire to break with repeated flexing.

In any case, it is usually a good idea to add some 'strain relief' to your soldered joints. You can use tape, hot-glue, Sugru or anything else to minimize pulling and flexing of the wires near the solder joint.

[mobiusrx7]

1. If you putchase 5m, you will receive a whole roll.

2. Solid wire does not flex as easily as stranded, so you have to be careful with solid that you dont put too much pressue on the solder pads. Like you said, stranded may be better for your application.

[1885]

Thank you very much.
The web site and soldering pdf will be very helpful.

I plan to get some stranded wire , test the connection then use hot glue.

cwc