john wrote in news:Xns9BCE6F0D54C35451E7A@news-
3.octanews.net:

I must have lived a sheltered life because onmy Antex soldering iron I
have always used a standard chisel tip.

Recently I saw a lot of cheap soldering irons in the stores with a
conical tip. I can't think I'd ever want to use that shape but someone
must be doing so. What use does a concial tip have for
electrical/electronic work?


They're awesome for DIY surface mount parts. A bright light, a conical tip
and a temperature controlled iron do wonders, especially if you can get
0.27mm thick solder. What looks impossible becomes almost easy.

For what it's worth, some years back I tried a Weller TCP (Magnastat) iron. I
never looked at an Antex again. The TCP iron cost more, but I still have it
10 years later and although I can get spares for it I haven't had to yet. I
used to have to replace Antex irons far too often, it's a false economy.
Their elements are way too fragile.