Soldering Iron Recommendations?
in [Design]
|
From: ian field on 17 Feb 2010 09:48 "Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)My-Web-Site.com> wrote in message news:867mn5dvefiov77c2rti5ka57pppi1igc5(a)4ax.com... >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... Since Weller became Cooper Tools, the bean counters took over the asylum - they cut corners on manufacturing and reliability went down the gurgler. When my last Weller fell to bits I bought an Antex 25W iron as a stop gap, and have been using Antex ever since. I did treat myself to a 50W Antex TC iron but TBH I don't see much advantage over the standard X25.
From: John Larkin on 17 Feb 2010 10:58 On Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:48:12 -0000, "ian field" <gangprobing.alien(a)ntlworld.com> wrote: > >"Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)My-Web-Site.com> wrote in >message news:867mn5dvefiov77c2rti5ka57pppi1igc5(a)4ax.com... >>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... > >Since Weller became Cooper Tools, the bean counters took over the asylum - >they cut corners on manufacturing and reliability went down the gurgler. > >When my last Weller fell to bits I bought an Antex 25W iron as a stop gap, >and have been using Antex ever since. > >I did treat myself to a 50W Antex TC iron but TBH I don't see much advantage >over the standard X25. > The Metcals are the best irons. The SP200 system is about $290. They warm up in seconds and have impressive heat control. John
From: Oppie on 17 Feb 2010 11:41 "Jim Thompson" <To-Email-Use-The-Envelope-Icon(a)My-Web-Site.com> wrote in message news:867mn5dvefiov77c2rti5ka57pppi1igc5(a)4ax.com... > 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 Hi Jim, I too, have an aged WTCP that has been repaired several times. The heater and thermal switch have both been changed over the years. Still use it for the heavy stuff with 600 to 800F tips. When we started to do some SMT work, I bought a cheapie (it was $100 at the time) JF96ESD through Ameritronics http://www.ameritronics.com/digital_soldering_station_irons_ESD_safe.htm Nice thing is that it is variable temperature. We were making the change from Tin/Lead solder to Lead Free and I wanted to be able to experiment with different working temperatures. Mostly this is used by itself but for larger work that involves ground planes, we have a zephytronics hot air fountain (130-150C) for pre-heating. Only problem I've had with the JF96 is that the cord between the base and handle developed an open circuit. Found where the open was and spliced it back together. Been working for about 3 years since without any further problems. Sort of funny working days with an esd safe SMT iron and at nights, doing artwork with an arc welder and OxAcet torch.
From: Oppie on 17 Feb 2010 11:44 "Paul Hovnanian P.E." <Paul(a)Hovnanian.com> wrote in message news:4B7B4399.FB3E97AE(a)Hovnanian.com... > > I was just trying to solve the Zen puzzle of how one would fix a > soldering station with itself. > Sort of like when your reading glasses break, how can you see to fix them... btw- on the topic of Zen- Q: What did the Zen master say to the hot dog vendor? A: "Make me one with everything"
From: pimpom on 17 Feb 2010 12:04
Oppie wrote: > "Paul Hovnanian P.E." <Paul(a)Hovnanian.com> wrote in message > news:4B7B4399.FB3E97AE(a)Hovnanian.com... >> >> I was just trying to solve the Zen puzzle of how one would fix >> a >> soldering station with itself. >> > > Sort of like when your reading glasses break, how can you see > to fix > them... Some people have backup glasses (I do). Some people have backup soldering irons (I have a $3 non-temperature controlled piece that I'm quite skilled with). |