I know there are multiple posts on rfid setup, but I can't seem to find what I need. I am completely new to the Arduino world, so please don't be offended if I don't understand something you say.
I am wanting to setup an rfid scanner to operate a solenoid. I suppose I will need an Arduino, a solenoid, rfid scanner, power supply, and relay. As far as code goes, I want to have 2 rfid cards that will activate the solenoid. That's it. No bells or whistles. Will any Arduino handle this task, as far as memory and outputs are concerned? I have no clue what specs would be required of such a task. I was hoping to use a cheap STM8S103F3P6 with 640b eeprom, 8kb flash, and 1kb ram. Would this be sufficient for my project? Any and all helpful advice would be greatly appreciated.
Vannahsman:
please don't be offended...
Nobody will be offended by such a simple request, though some will question why a Google search for "Arduino RFID door lock" or "Arduino RFID Solenoid" didn't produce something helpful in its 88,400 results.
The Uno would be a good starter board. Get each component of your system working (and understood) on its own, then have a go at combining each part into a full project.
You can always ask a question here when you get stuck.
Good luck with your project 
One thing you need to define is at what distance do you expect the RFID cards to function? Some types only work within an inch or so of the sensor while others can operate at a significantly greater distance (and some even support updating information on them but that does not sound like your question). It sounds like you are looking for some sort of door lock, but we need to know what distances are involved before we run off at opposite directions to what you really want (not that that has ever happened before ... :o )
Vannahsman:
scanner, power supply, and relay. As far as code goes, I want to have 2 rfid cards that will activate the solenoid.
No problem whatsoever.
You do not say what hardware you are using but the arduino can handle this easily for many different tags.
Loads of posts on this , its just a question of finding them.
I guess I should clarify, my first question is will all of this run on the STM8S103F3P6 in particular? I have no clue how much flash space, ram, or eeprom is needed to run this type of code. I was trying to figure out what I needed to buy, from someone who actually understands all of this stuff. I also plan to buy a due, and all sorts of different shields to play around with, but thought I should start with something simple first. Once assembled and funtioning, I plan to leave it in place permanently. That is why I wanted to use a small, cheap board. It will forever have a single function. I think I can figure out the code from the numerous tutorials I've been watching, but I still don't know if the specs of the cheap little board can handle executing the program.
To answer your question, I'm pretty sure I could code an RFID reader and solenoid control into 8k of flash.
However you should read this post from 2011 regarding the STM8S, it may still be relevant:
Thank you for that. And gpsmikey, as far as the rfid goes, I was looking at the rc522. The cards will be read through a 1/2" piece of sheetrock. I don't know if it will pickup through the sheetrock for sure, but I've read on here that you can adjust the gain for better range. any thoughts on this?
I have occasionally found strange anomalies in sheetrock - just for entertainment. I had one where the stud finder showed something in the sheetrock that seemed to go diagonally down the wall. When I got the sheetrock off, there was absolutely nothing there !! Very odd. Anyway, you should be OK with what you are doing - just wanted to make sure what tags you were working with - there are some they use for livestock for example that can be read quite a distance away (came across that when I was looking at the RFID chips they use in pets).