Soldering Iron Recommendations?
in [Design]
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From: Paul Hovnanian P.E. on 16 Feb 2010 19:34 Tim Wescott wrote: > > On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:34:41 -0700, Jim Thompson wrote: > > > I have an absolutely ancient Weller WTCPN soldering station that is > > disintegrating... it's probably at least 33 years old. > > > > I don't have any need for surface mount sophistication. > > > > What are people's thoughts on a cheapy replacement such as... > > > > Weller WLC100 Soldering Station > > > > ...Jim Thompson > > Fix it! That's what I did when mine fell apart, and I couldn't be > happier. What kind of soldering station would you reccommend to do the repair work? -- Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul(a)Hovnanian.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ Stupidity kills. But not nearly often enough.
From: Bill Garber on 16 Feb 2010 21:03 "RST Engineering" <jweir43(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:peemn5hmks02vtijphbqkgoqn3oqe6lbe4(a)4ax.com... > On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:34:41 -0700, Jim Thompson > <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)My-Web-Site.com> wrote: > >>I have an absolutely ancient Weller WTCPN soldering station that is >>disintegrating... it's probably at least 33 years old. >> >>I don't have any need for surface mount sophistication. >> >>What are people's thoughts on a cheapy replacement such as... >> >> Weller WLC100 Soldering Station >> >> ...Jim Thompson > > > I splurged on an Edsyn 951SX about ten years ago, and running it > 8/5/365 I've gone through two tips in all that time. > > It is a real workhorse. > > Jim Wow!!! Ten years ago, and they are still on the market. Not a bad price scale either. If I was looking, I'd buy one. Bill
From: miso on 17 Feb 2010 02:22 On Feb 16, 8:01 pm, Michael Shell <ne...(a)michaelshell.org> wrote: > I recently bought an Xytronic 168-3C that I think is a very good deal > for the money: > > http://www.assemblyoutfitters.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=2146 > > It is 60W, but there is a 30W handle available that fits the same > controller. However, you can get tips down to 1/64" with the 60W handle. > I prefer the analog temp display to digital ones which I find to be > distracting. I also prefer the smaller diameter 30W/60W Xytronic handles > over that of an (older) Weller model I once used. > > It uses a very fast heat up nichrome heater and isolated 24VAC zero > voltage switching with grounded tip. It also has a long (4ft) silicone > (burn resistant) handle cord. > > Many tips are available (Xytronics 415 series) at a reasonable cost: > > 401 1/32" conical bevel > 402 1/32" semi-chisel > 403 1/64" sharp > 404 1/16" conical chisel > 405 1/8" semi-chisel > 406 3/64" long conical chisel > 410 3/16" chisel > 411 3/16" chisel 45 degree > 430 7/32" 5mm SMD blade > 438 4mm SMD hoof, chisel 45 degree > 439 3mm SMD hoof, 4mm chisel 45 degree > 440 2mm tapered SMD hoof > 443 3mm SMD hoof, 45 degree bevel "mini-wave" > > Note the 443 is a special "mini-wave" tip for use with solder ball > dragging:http://forums.parallax.com/forums/pr.aspx?f=15&m=298151 > > The 404 is the standard 1/16" chisel tip included with new units. > > These 415 tips are available with a J suffix for an extra thick > iron cladding for extra life and are probably worth it (50% more > cost, 100%+ more life): > > http://www.assemblyoutfitters.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=3044http://www.assemblyoutfitters.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=3025 > > The 60W replacement handle is the 207ESD: > > http://www.assemblyoutfitters.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=2156 > > and the 30W is the 206ESD: > > http://www.assemblyoutfitters.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=2154 > > which uses the smaller 413 series tips: > > http://www.assemblyoutfitters.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=149 > > Jameco carries the regular tips as well as replacement heaters > (XY37) and handles (XY48) for a very reasonable price: > > http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c101/P165.pdf > > I don't know how the Jameco XY48 handle compares to the 207ESD. > > One fellow really gave the 168-3C a rave review (note the newer > models are 60W not 40W): > > http://store.guitarfetish.com/xyniprsost0w.html > > "it changed my life!" LOL. > > Anyway, I've been happy too with the 168-3C so far. > > Cheers, > > Mike Shell Key question is where is the soldering iron made. If it is sourced from China, run.
From: Jim Yanik on 17 Feb 2010 08:38 "Phil Allison" <phil_a(a)tpg.com.au> wrote in news:7u0phsFtsU1(a)mid.individual.net: > > "Jim Yanik" > >> here's some user reviews; >> http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/5066 >> >> It says the iron (at the tip) is UNgrounded.That's not good. > > > ** That model appears to only on sale in the USA and Canada. With the > AC supply connected direct to the heater and no safety ground it would > likely not pass safety standards that are compulsory for such irons in > most places. > > That aside, low voltage irons operating via isolation transformers ( > plus electronics) can safely be left with no earth on the iron - > and it is often desirable to do so. This model is NOT a "low voltage" iron. In fact,you can plug in any 120VAC iron and control it,the base is just a triac controller,like a lamp dimmer. If you plug in a -grounded iron-,it will be actually grounded. > > In fact, it is dangerous to have an earthed iron when servicing > electronic equipment cos of the very great risk that it would be > accidentally applied to a circuit which is still energised. > > > > .... Phil > What DUMBASS solders on circuits that are energized? How safe is that? -- Jim Yanik jyanik at localnet dot com
From: TheM on 17 Feb 2010 09:47
"Jim Yanik" <jyanik(a)abuse.gov> wrote in message news:Xns9D22580715F5Ejyaniklocalnetcom(a)216.168.3.44... > "Phil Allison" <phil_a(a)tpg.com.au> wrote in > news:7u0phsFtsU1(a)mid.individual.net: >> >> In fact, it is dangerous to have an earthed iron when servicing >> electronic equipment cos of the very great risk that it would be >> accidentally applied to a circuit which is still energised. >> >> >> >> .... Phil >> > > What DUMBASS solders on circuits that are energized? How safe is that? > > -- > Jim Yanik I do sometimes, of course only when you know what you're doing and circuits are powered from low DC. I agree 99% of the time it is stupid. M |