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From: Joerg on 16 Jan 2010 15:40
krw wrote:
> On Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:37:30 -0800, Joerg <invalid(a)invalid.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>> markp wrote:
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> I'm a consultant designer here in the UK and build my own prototypes. I'm
>>> looking for a decent soldering iron (maybe Pace or Weller or clone) that
>>> have a range of bits suitable for SMD down to 0.5mm TQFP and also for
>>> through hole components. I don't want to spend too much.
>>>
>>> Anyone have any recommendations and where I can get one form? It should be
>>> temperature controlled and I should be able to easily purchase inexpensive
>>> bits.
>>>
>>> Also, any recommendations for solder that gives easy solderability and is
>>> available in thin gauge? Lead free would be best, anyone use silver loaded
>>> solder and is it better for fine pitch soldering?
>>>
>> I've always used Weller irons, in Europe as well as in the US. All you
>> really need is an analog station with a lone temp control knob. WECP-20
>> was the older generation and the new one is called WES51. Both very
>> good. Currently under $100 in the US but I don't know EU pricing.
>
> I use what's on the bench. ...often after some mumbling.
>

So do I but there have been cases where I brought in my Weller. A couple
of recent clients then ordered some for themselves right afterwards.


>> For SMT I use a needle-point style tip called ETS. However, we are
>> nearly free from this <expletive deleted> RoHs nonsense over here so I
>> can't say much about RoHS soldering other than that I've wrecked ETS
>> tips doing it. But that was from boards with unknown types of lead-free
>> solder from clients. So it's best to keep a stash of tips on hand, they
>> are under $5 a piece.
>
> Our stuff is all RoHS, so I have others do the soldering on production
> stuff. I'll still work on prototypes but screw RoHS soldering. A
> good connection looks worse than the worst cold solder joint.
>

I had the "pleasure" to resolder a complete RoHS VME extender board with
leaded solder, all pins. There was a real "solder stench" in their lab
when done but now it worked.


>> Stay away from fancy digital stations, I've seen them die like flies,
>> got a dead one here (for scrap, in case I cinge or break the enclosure
>> of my analog ones etc.)
>
> Your designs go "*phut*", why wouldn't we expect the same from your
> tools? ;-)


Nope, I get other folks' stuff to re-design so it doesn't go *phut*
anymore :-)

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

"gmail" domain blocked because of excessive spam.
Use another domain or send PM.
From: Leon on 16 Jan 2010 16:40
On 16 Jan, 12:05, "markp" <map.nos...(a)f2s.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm a consultant designer here in the UK and build my own prototypes. I'm
> looking  for a decent soldering iron (maybe Pace or Weller or clone) that
> have a range of bits suitable for SMD down to 0.5mm TQFP and also for
> through hole components. I don't want to spend too much.
>
> Anyone have any recommendations and where I can get one form? It should be
> temperature controlled and I should be able to easily purchase inexpensive
> bits.
>
> Also, any recommendations for solder that gives easy solderability and is
> available in thin gauge? Lead free would be best, anyone use silver loaded
> solder and is it better for fine pitch soldering?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mark.

I got a second-hand Metcal STSS power unit with a new MX-500 handpiece
and a selection of cartridges for £125 about eight years ago. That's
about the same price as a new Weller system, and is much better value.

Leon
From: miso on 16 Jan 2010 22:41
On Jan 16, 1:40 pm, Leon <leon...(a)btinternet.com> wrote:
> On 16 Jan, 12:05, "markp" <map.nos...(a)f2s.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hi All,
>
> > I'm a consultant designer here in the UK and build my own prototypes. I'm
> > looking  for a decent soldering iron (maybe Pace or Weller or clone) that
> > have a range of bits suitable for SMD down to 0.5mm TQFP and also for
> > through hole components. I don't want to spend too much.
>
> > Anyone have any recommendations and where I can get one form? It should be
> > temperature controlled and I should be able to easily purchase inexpensive
> > bits.
>
> > Also, any recommendations for solder that gives easy solderability and is
> > available in thin gauge? Lead free would be best, anyone use silver loaded
> > solder and is it better for fine pitch soldering?
>
> > Thanks!
>
> > Mark.
>
> I got a second-hand Metcal STSS power unit with a new MX-500 handpiece
> and a selection of cartridges for £125 about eight years ago. That's
> about the same price as a new Weller system, and is much better value.
>
> Leon

But Metcal has reliability issues. I know people that swear they are
the best irons (when they are working).
From: Robert Baer on 17 Jan 2010 02:42
markp wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I'm a consultant designer here in the UK and build my own prototypes. I'm
> looking for a decent soldering iron (maybe Pace or Weller or clone) that
> have a range of bits suitable for SMD down to 0.5mm TQFP and also for
> through hole components. I don't want to spend too much.
>
> Anyone have any recommendations and where I can get one form? It should be
> temperature controlled and I should be able to easily purchase inexpensive
> bits.
>
> Also, any recommendations for solder that gives easy solderability and is
> available in thin gauge? Lead free would be best, anyone use silver loaded
> solder and is it better for fine pitch soldering?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Mark.
>
>
My favorites: Multicore 60/40, 370 flux 0.023 dia and Kester
Sn96.3Ag3.7 0.025 dia [24-7050-9718 whatever that means].
From: Nico Coesel on 17 Jan 2010 04:31
Joerg <invalid(a)invalid.invalid> wrote:

>markp wrote:
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I'm a consultant designer here in the UK and build my own prototypes. I'm
>> looking for a decent soldering iron (maybe Pace or Weller or clone) that
>> have a range of bits suitable for SMD down to 0.5mm TQFP and also for
>> through hole components. I don't want to spend too much.
>>
>> Anyone have any recommendations and where I can get one form? It should be
>> temperature controlled and I should be able to easily purchase inexpensive
>> bits.
>>
>> Also, any recommendations for solder that gives easy solderability and is
>> available in thin gauge? Lead free would be best, anyone use silver loaded
>> solder and is it better for fine pitch soldering?
>>
>
>I've always used Weller irons, in Europe as well as in the US. All you
>really need is an analog station with a lone temp control knob. WECP-20
>was the older generation and the new one is called WES51. Both very
>good. Currently under $100 in the US but I don't know EU pricing.
>
>For SMT I use a needle-point style tip called ETS. However, we are
>nearly free from this <expletive deleted> RoHs nonsense over here so I
>can't say much about RoHS soldering other than that I've wrecked ETS
>tips doing it. But that was from boards with unknown types of lead-free
>solder from clients. So it's best to keep a stash of tips on hand, they
>are under $5 a piece.

Thats the problem with Weller: they make money on their soldering
tips. Their needle pin tips are the worst. I always considered them
one-time-use only (this is before the whole lead-free thing). Needle
pin tips are hard to use anyway because they can't transfer enough
heat to the solder joint.

--
Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply
indicates you are not using the right tools...
nico(a)nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
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