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Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler
than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
"Zak" wrote in message
... I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Depends on size. If you plug in two irons, 30 and 40W, both the same size, the 40W iron is always going to run hotter. The $10 Radio Shack irons available around local stores have basically only one difference and that's the element and tip size. As such, the 40W runs a lot hotter, increasing tip loss and risk of overheating things. On the other hand, it makes quick(er) work of soldering heavy wire and desoldering most anything. Those big 100-300W irons (often used for soldering sheetmetal) are well, big. They don't need to vaporize the solder, just melt it. The rest of the power is there to keep the thing at that temperature, and speed up heating when you suck out heat with some work. Soldering guns typically run a whole lot hotter, but only if you clamp it down on max with nothing to melt. Best idea with these is to get good at clicking the switch on and off to regulate temperature. Tim -- Deep Fryer: a very philosophical monk. Website: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:55:44 +0000, Zak wrote:
I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. Actually it depends on what iron it is. Temperature unregulated irons can vary greatly on the temperature they get to. Wattage alone is not a good indicator of whether one iron will be hotter then the other. Temperature regulated irons hold the temp they are set to. In that case the wattage will determine how MUCH heat can be applied to whatever is being soldered. Generally the more material you are trying to heat, the more powerful an iron you need. In your case I would strongly recommend getting a temp regulated model. The wattage you need will then depend on what you want to solder. From your comment "soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to a small tag" I'd say something in the 50-75W range will suit you perfectly (overkill for the small tag, useful when soldering bigger things). The best part about temp regulated irons is they won't heat small things up to much, something a temp unregulated iron will do. TTYL |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
"Zak" wrote in message ... I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. Larger irons usually have a larger thermal mass and thus need more watts to recover in a reasonable length of time. The larger thermal mass allows them to handle larger jobs ... such as sheet metal or large wires and terminals. Ideally, the unloaded temperature (not in contact with any work) should be about the same regardless of the watts. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
"Zak" wrote in message ... I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. You are assuming the iron has a thermostat. Basic units don't. Just like a basic electric 'bar' fire, they heat up and stabilise at the point where the heat loss from the iron, matches the input power. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If you are doing a lot of joints in succession, with an unregulated iron, then the tip will get cooler with each one. Also, you must be careful to be using the right solder. The iron will have a 'design' temperature, and some solders will require less heat than this, while others require more. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. Get the smallest shafted temperature controlled iron you can find. Two basic designs, 'single temperature' units, like the Antex TCS50 (trimmable with a screwdriver), or fully adjustable units, like the 660TC, with the TC50. Antex irons give better heat transfer to the joint (I also use a 100W Weller TC iron, and the Antex 50W will out solder it on some jobs), than many competing designs, and I like the weight. Best Wishes |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
Zak wrote:
I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. Get a regulated one like a Weller WTCPN(?), and you can choose you tip size for the job, and select temperature by swapping tips. $45 on eBay. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
Zak wrote:
I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. As others have said, irons come as uncontrolled or temperature controlled. The temperature of an uncontrolled iron is dependant on the wattage and ambient conditions. Wave one around in the air and it will be substantially cooler than if you put it in an insulated stand. One of my irons is 250W, uncontrolled, and will soon start to glow red-hot, unless in contact with a LOT of metlwork being soldered. Great if you are doing plumbing - not so great for electronics work. The tip is about 1 1/2" across. It dates back to the 1940s - they may not be avialble anymore...I got given it by my great uncle, an RN submariner electrician in WWII. The temperature of the tip of a controlled iron in its stand should be near enough the set temperature, irrespective of iron wattage. Once you start using it, the tip temperature will fall. The key point is how much. The end of a very long, thin, tip, in contact with a large chunk of cold metal, will quickly fall in temperature and stay at that low temperature. It is simply not possible to transfer enough heat down a very long thin tip, irrespective of the wattage of the iron. So, if you only use very long thin tips, practically any wattage of iron will do. I have a very tiny 15W temperature controlled iron which is as comfortable and easy to use as a 'scope probe. The element tube is about 1/8" in diameter and so is the thickest part of the tip. However, if you have an iron with interchangeable tips and can use a thick, short, tip, then the tip is capable of transferring much more power - so you can make good use of a higher wattage iron. Hence my next bigger iron up from the teeny one is a 40W. The element tube is about 1/4" in diameter and so is the thickest part of the tip. But the business end varies from something about 1/16" across for one tip to 1/4" across for another. I could do with something to fill the gap between the 40W and 250W - I sometimes end up with an iron in each hand and feeding solder in from a tube clenched between my teeth... I reckon that it is the tip that makes the iron. My favourites are a weller 40W that takes interchangeable tips, each tip with a preset temperature. But there are places where those irons are simply too big or too small. I have a Maplin www.maplin.co.uk BP53H soldering station that I hate - I can't get along with any of the tips. Unlike plain copper tips, you can't just shape them the way you want. They also do a very cheap one N78AR, which I haven't tried. It may be worth a look - it's a 50w variable temperature adjustable model for 13GBP. -- Sue |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:18:03 -0500, repatch Gave
us: On Wed, 22 Mar 2006 19:55:44 +0000, Zak wrote: I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. Actually it depends on what iron it is. Temperature unregulated irons can vary greatly on the temperature they get to. Wattage alone is not a good indicator of whether one iron will be hotter then the other. Not true. An UNregulated Iron IS related to heat output by wattage. Almost directly and proportionally. So a 35W will be MUCH hotter, and almost always physically bigger than a 15W. The 15W is akin to a bench assemblers model, and the 35W is typically akin to someone doing stained glass that needs to dump a LOT of heat into a connection or seam without dropping the iron temp much. Temperature regulated irons hold the temp they are set to. No... really? :-] In that case the wattage will determine how MUCH heat can be applied to whatever is being soldered. They are usually limited by the tip shape and size. It is very hard to fill a small, long, thin tip with enough heat to say... solder a shield can seam onto a PCB. Place a larger tip in the same Iron though, and input consumption will go up (and thus output) when trying to do the same task. Generally the more material you are trying to heat, the more powerful an iron you need. OR the larger thermal mass at the tip (read tip size). In your case I would strongly recommend getting a temp regulated model. For electronic PCB mixed technology assembly... definitely. The wattage you need will then depend on what you want to solder. From your comment "soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to a small tag" I'd say something in the 50-75W range will suit you perfectly (overkill for the small tag, useful when soldering bigger things). 50 to 75 Watts seems huge for PCB soldering irons. A regulated unit may rate that on its consumption label, but the tool itself will never use that much (short of huge desoldering tips being applied). The best part about temp regulated irons is they won't heat small things up to much, something a temp unregulated iron will do. Again, that depends on the thermal mass (goes with physical mass) of the tip itself. It gets pulse modulated (pumped) by the station.Once up to temp, a large tip is quite capable of dumping a huge amount of thermal energy into the work. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 22 Mar 2006, ?B?UGFsaW5kcuKYu21l?= wrote:
I reckon that it is the tip that makes the iron. My favourites are a weller 40W that takes interchangeable tips, each tip with a preset temperature. But there are places where those irons are simply too big or too small. I have a Maplin www.maplin.co.uk BP53H soldering station that I hate - I can't get along with any of the tips. Unlike plain copper tips, you can't just shape them the way you want. They also do a very cheap one N78AR, which I haven't tried. It may be worth a look - it's a 50w variable temperature adjustable model for 13GBP. That Maplin soldering iron (ref N78AR) seems like rather a good deal at 13 GBP. However you say you are unhappy with your other Maplin iron so I will ask if anyone has used one of these bargain temperature controlled irons. Maplin refers to it as an "LS20 Solder Station". See http://tinyurl.com/lunbf for full details |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
The wattage rating would be more of the heating capacity. The larger the
wattage, the greater the mass that it can heat. Use a lower wattage for the smaller jobs. Use a higher wattage for the larger type soldering jobs. -- JANA _____ "Zak" wrote in message ... I had always lived in the belief that a 15W soldering iron ran cooler than a 35W iron but recently I read something which said they both run at the same temp. Presumably the real difference is the speed at which the iron reheats once the thermostat kicks in to say the iron is too cool. I'm in the Uk and I currently use a 25W Antex. It seems to "run out of heat" all too often when I am soldering undemanding things like a fine wires to small tag. If the temp is the same then would I be ok using something like a 35W iron even for working on electronics components. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
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Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
"David Peters" wrote in message ... That Maplin soldering iron (ref N78AR) seems like rather a good deal at 13 GBP. However you say you are unhappy with your other Maplin iron so I will ask if anyone has used one of these bargain temperature controlled irons. I have one, now non-working! I used it all of three times at 3/4 max setting and it burned out. They are rubbish- they're not temperature controlled- they're simply a tacky, clumsy, cumbersome mains iron hardwired into a lightweight, cheap plastic dimmer box. There's no thermostat, you simply have to whack up the 'dimmer' knob when the tip temperature drops, and the iron seems very inefficient- more like a 30W than a 50W. My advice to anyone wanting a temperature controlled iron is to look out for proper temperature controlled irons on eBay, or better still a low voltage soldering station like the Weller TCP series or Antex 660 with a TC50 iron. They cost a lot more even secondhand, but they are immeasurably superior in every way. I have both and can't fault them at all. Dave |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
I think the OP was closer. The wattage rating is the ability to
recover once the heat has dropped. The heat capacity is a function of the mass of the tip. When soldering PL-259 connectors, or homw-made brass boxes, I use a roofer's iron. The tip is a slug of copper about one inch in diameter and over 3 inches long. It takes about 30 minutes to come up to temperature, but anything you touch it to is instantly at soldering temperature. On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 09:41:48 -0500, "JANA" wrote: The wattage rating would be more of the heating capacity. The larger the wattage, the greater the mass that it can heat. Use a lower wattage for the smaller jobs. Use a higher wattage for the larger type soldering jobs. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
"distar97" wrote in message
ups.com... Let me offer a simple analogy about wattage. If a common match will raise a one inch strip of metal to a certain temperature, would it not require 12 matches to raise a 12 inch strip of metal to the same temp, placing one match at each inch of the strip. Not really, convection and geometry being what they are, it'll be hotter in the center because the heat can't really "get out", while on the edges, the heat just rolls up and away. But that's just being pedantic; ignoring such effects, yes, you're absolutely right, power per area is temp, roughly speaking. More important than the physics of the issue, experience really makes a difference. You'll find using a similar soldering station like my old Weller WTCPN make a world of difference. It's undersized for big jobs but perfect for circuit board work. The temp controlled tips click on and off as necessary. For bigger work, I use a higher wattage station not neccesarily a higher temp tip, all else being equal. I should build an induction heated soldering iron. I've heard of Weller irons that work like that. Mmmm, isolated tip. Tack on a thermocouple and I've got it made. Tim -- Deep Fryer: a very philosophical monk. Website: http://webpages.charter.net/dawill/tmoranwms |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 23 Mar 2006 19:51:26 -0800, "distar97" Gave
us: We've seen some good thoughts on soldering irons. I learned that wattage is a unit of capacity. Temp is important but you also need wattage to match the job. Just to keep up at a given reasonable time rate actually. The at rest temperature is one thing. The thermal mass (size) of the tip is another. If it cannot maintain the "at rest temp" very well, then the wattage used to heat it is not sufficient for the tip's mass or rate of radiation (emissivity). |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
I've used Weller, and while they have a good product, I much prefer the
inexpensive Hakko unit, the 635. Adjustable temp, quick heat, and if well cared for the tips last forever. "Ed Bailen" wrote in message ... I think the OP was closer. The wattage rating is the ability to recover once the heat has dropped. The heat capacity is a function of the mass of the tip. When soldering PL-259 connectors, or homw-made brass boxes, I use a roofer's iron. The tip is a slug of copper about one inch in diameter and over 3 inches long. It takes about 30 minutes to come up to temperature, but anything you touch it to is instantly at soldering temperature. On Thu, 23 Mar 2006 09:41:48 -0500, "JANA" wrote: The wattage rating would be more of the heating capacity. The larger the wattage, the greater the mass that it can heat. Use a lower wattage for the smaller jobs. Use a higher wattage for the larger type soldering jobs. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On Fri, 24 Mar 2006 01:43:08 -0600, "ampdoc" Gave
us: I've used USE your brain. LEARN to conform, and refrain from top posting in Usenet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toppost Your best bet is to get a REAL news client, and get rid of OutHouse Express as your method of reading Usenet news articles. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 24 Mar 2006, ampdoc wrote:
I've used Weller, and while they have a good product, I much prefer the inexpensive Hakko unit, the 635. Adjustable temp, quick heat, and if well cared for the tips last forever. Do you have a link for this product. I can't seem to locate it. Is it available in the UK? |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 23 Mar 2006, Dave D wrote:
"David Peters" wrote in message ... That Maplin soldering iron (ref N78AR) seems like rather a good deal at 13 GBP. However you say you are unhappy with your other Maplin iron so I will ask if anyone has used one of these bargain temperature controlled irons. I have one, now non-working! I used it all of three times at 3/4 max setting and it burned out. They are rubbish- they're not temperature controlled- they're simply a tacky, clumsy, cumbersome mains iron hardwired into a lightweight, cheap plastic dimmer box. There's no thermostat, you simply have to whack up the 'dimmer' knob when the tip temperature drops, and the iron seems very inefficient- more like a 30W than a 50W. My advice to anyone wanting a temperature controlled iron is to look out for proper temperature controlled irons on eBay, or better still a low voltage soldering station like the Weller TCP series or Antex 660 with a TC50 iron. They cost a lot more even secondhand, but they are immeasurably superior in every way. I have both and can't fault them at all. Thnak you for the warning! |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 22 Mar 2006, Roger Hamlett wrote:
Get the smallest shafted temperature controlled iron you can find. Two basic designs, 'single temperature' units, like the Antex TCS50 (trimmable with a screwdriver), or fully adjustable units, like the 660TC, with the TC50. Antex irons give better heat transfer to the joint (I also use a 100W Weller TC iron, and the Antex 50W will out solder it on some jobs), than many competing designs, and I like the weight. This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...ller/index.htm but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
Zak wrote:
This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...ller/index.htm but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...ing/WTCP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
In article ,
William P.N. Smith wrote: Zak wrote: This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...ller/index.htm but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...r/soldering/WT CP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. Maybe if you solder for a few minutes a day, Weller will work for you. We solder all day long every day, and the damn things are more trouble than they're worth. They used to be good, maybe 20 years ago, but they're s**t now. The cords go intermittent, the cord jacks go intermittent, the fuses blow, the thermostats short out, the heaters go open, the tips burn up in an hour, the metal sponge trays turn to piles of rust. They're annoying as hell to fix because the idiot engineer who designed them flunked third grade. That's why I finally put them in the dumpster and bought a bunch of Edsyns. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 19:01:28 -0800, Smitty Two
Gave us: In article , William P.N. Smith wrote: Zak wrote: This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...ller/index.htm but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...r/soldering/WT CP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. Maybe if you solder for a few minutes a day, Weller will work for you. We solder all day long every day, and the damn things are more trouble than they're worth. They used to be good, maybe 20 years ago, but they're s**t now. The cords go intermittent, the cord jacks go intermittent, the fuses blow, the thermostats short out, the heaters go open, the tips burn up in an hour, the metal sponge trays turn to piles of rust. They're annoying as hell to fix because the idiot engineer who designed them flunked third grade. That's why I finally put them in the dumpster and bought a bunch of Edsyns. Edsyn rules! The tips are hard inside, and well plated outside. The temp controller is fast response, and always accurate (as long as nobody screws with the calibration pots), and they max out at 800degrees. They shouldn't be used at that temp for PCB assembly, but there are times when a good high starting temp and a fat tip choice comes in handy. That is another good thing about these. The tip can be changed quickly, and the array of tips available is wide. The operator can keep several tips in the small front tray provided If one doesn't like the sponges provided (or their price) one can buy just about any sponge and cut it to size before applying the water for the first time. The only thing I have ever seen go bad on them is the tip retaining sheath. And those ONLY go bad on the user stations where the idiot assembler keeps their station cranked up to the max all day. If kept at the proper operating temp, they last practically forever. The tips are so hard that instead of deteriorating, they form a crust. Kester makes an "ammonium" block tip cleaning media that is about a 2.5" x 2.5" block of ammonium. A hot tip, and a couple drops of solder allow the tip to be restored to near new condition. The block even has a certain friction that scrapes right through the crust, and re-tins the tip perfectly. They work way better then the small, lead filled acid cup style tip cleaners, and smoke far less. I have one that has lasted for years and I am still on the first quarter inch of media on only a few sides of the block. Edsyn IS the ****! and they can even be found cheaper than retail at times. There are several types available, but the dial controlled version is the best, with the dial controlled version that even has two AC power outlets on the front of the unit is fabulous. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
I've been using a Weller at work for a couple of years now, and I've
used them in previous venues, and have never had any of these problems with them. The only problem we had was the tips loosening because someone was driving the iron into the cleaning sponge like Norman Bates and pushing the heating element down into the handle. Once we educated everyone on how not to break the iron, and replaced the handle, things were back to normal. I use a Metcal at home, because I like the short working distance. The length of the Weller makes soldering feel more like jousting. They've got an iron priced competitively with everyone else now (the PS-800 I think). |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
"Zak" wrote in message ... Do you have a link for this product. I can't seem to locate it. Is it available in the UK? Here is a link to the Mfr's site and they have a new model, 936 I keyed in my model incorrectly also, it is a 935, though it seems that the two are almost identical. I've had my old unit for going on 8 yrs now. When I bought mine it was $86.00 US. Looking around I found a couple of points of contact for you in the UK who may be able to point you to a retailer. http://www.hakkousa.com/products.asp?PID=936-12&page=1 GROSVENOR PRIORY TEC PARK, SAXON WAY, HESSLE, EAST YORKSHIRE, HU13 9PB, UNITED KINGDOM TEL: +44-1482-627327 FAX: +44-1482-627328 E-mail: sales_AT_grosvenor-group.com (remove _AT_ and you have the correct email) DANCAP ELECTRONICS. 24 TRENT CRESCENT, THATCHAM, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, RG18 3DN. UNITED KINGDOM. TEL: +44-1635-866394 FAX: +44-1635-869589 Hope this helps. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 26 Mar 2006, wrote:
I use a Metcal at home, because I like the short working distance. The length of the Weller makes soldering feel more like jousting. They've got an iron priced competitively with everyone else now (the PS-800 I think). Lovely picture but no price! http://www.solderconnection.com/metcal_ps800.php Seems it only came out last spring. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On 26 Mar 2006, William P.N. Smith wrote:
Zak wrote: This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...eller/index.ht m but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...roducts/weller /soldering/WTCP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. Who sells these. I am looking for a UK vendor who actually lists prices! |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
David Peters wrote: Lovely picture but no price! http://www.solderconnection.com/metcal_ps800.php Seems it only came out last spring. Metcal has been priced in the "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" bracket for a very long time. The PS800 is indeed brand-new and costs around $200-$250. It's different from their other pencil irons in that the heating element and tip are two pieces. I also find the Pace Worldwide HW/TW irons intriguing. They're very similar in construction, but I've never actually used one, and at the time I bought my Metcal the prices were very close. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:18:44 +0100, David Peters
Gave us: On 26 Mar 2006, wrote: I use a Metcal at home, because I like the short working distance. The length of the Weller makes soldering feel more like jousting. They've got an iron priced competitively with everyone else now (the PS-800 I think). Lovely picture but no price! http://www.solderconnection.com/metcal_ps800.php Seems it only came out last spring. Metcal units are the tops, but are VERY expensive. Hundreds of dollars. Edsyn is the best for the consumer level, as well as most commercial settings where folks actually have less than mil contract paid budgets. |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:19:42 +0100, David Peters
Gave us: On 26 Mar 2006, William P.N. Smith wrote: Zak wrote: This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...eller/index.ht m but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...roducts/weller /soldering/WTCP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. Who sells these. I am looking for a UK vendor who actually lists prices! Digi-key Mouser |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
Roy L. Fuchs wrote:
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 19:01:28 -0800, Smitty Two Gave us: In article , William P.N. Smith wrote: Zak wrote: This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...ller/index.htm but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...r/soldering/WT CP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. Maybe if you solder for a few minutes a day, Weller will work for you. We solder all day long every day, and the damn things are more trouble than they're worth. They used to be good, maybe 20 years ago, but they're s**t now. The cords go intermittent, the cord jacks go intermittent, the fuses blow, the thermostats short out, the heaters go open, the tips burn up in an hour, the metal sponge trays turn to piles of rust. They're annoying as hell to fix because the idiot engineer who designed them flunked third grade. That's why I finally put them in the dumpster and bought a bunch of Edsyns. Edsyn rules! The tips are hard inside, and well plated outside. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The temp controller is fast response, and always accurate (as long as nobody screws with the calibration pots), and they max out at 800degrees. They shouldn't be used at that temp for PCB assembly, but there are times when a good high starting temp and a fat tip choice comes in handy. That is another good thing about these. The tip can be changed quickly, and the array of tips available is wide. The operator can keep several tips in the small front tray provided If one doesn't like the sponges provided (or their price) one can buy just about any sponge and cut it to size before applying the water for the first time. The only thing I have ever seen go bad on them is the tip retaining sheath. And those ONLY go bad on the user stations where the idiot assembler keeps their station cranked up to the max all day. If kept at the proper operating temp, they last practically forever. The tips are so hard that instead of deteriorating, they form a crust. Kester makes an "ammonium" block tip cleaning media that is about a 2.5" x 2.5" block of ammonium. A hot tip, and a couple drops of solder allow the tip to be restored to near new condition. The block even has a certain friction that scrapes right through the crust, and re-tins the tip perfectly. They work way better then the small, lead filled acid cup style tip cleaners, and smoke far less. I have one that has lasted for years and I am still on the first quarter inch of media on only a few sides of the block. Edsyn IS the ****! and ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ they can even be found cheaper than retail at times. There are several types available, but the dial controlled version is the best, with the dial controlled version that even has two AC power outlets on the front of the unit is fabulous. is there something wrong with my English?, first it rules, then it is the ****s? -- Real Programmers Do things like this. http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5 |
Big soldering irons don't run hotter?
David Peters wrote:
On 26 Mar 2006, William P.N. Smith wrote: Zak wrote: This is the Weller page for the UK http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...eller/index.ht m but which iron in the drop down box is the best value? Why are you looking in the spare parts index? IMHO, the "best" one is the old standard http://www.cooperhandtools.com/europ...roducts/weller /soldering/WTCP51.htm which has been around forever, and is available used for very little money. Who sells these. I am looking for a UK vendor who actually lists prices! well heres mine with a few extras i have that isn't in the picture http://www.engineeringlab.com/solderingiron.html -- Real Programmers Do things like this. http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5 |
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