I just picked up this station for a really good price. http://sra-solder.com/product.php/6267/0
It's really nice to be able to dial in a precise temperature. I used a separate digital thermometer to test the temperature settings of the iron and the hot air and it was accurate within a degree C. Adam Fisher Sent from my iPad On May 29, 2012, at 5:42 PM, Tom Metro <[email protected]> wrote: > Drew Van Zandt wrote: >> For fine-pitch stuff, you need a better iron... > > I've been meaning to ask the list for recommendations on irons. What are > features you look for in an iron and why are they important? > > I've been using the same simple, unregulated Ungar fixed wattage (33 or > 45 W - don't remember) iron with a micro chisel tip since I was a kid. > > (Here are some vendor pictures: > http://www.elexp.com/sdr_7400.htm ) > > (I'm not sure Ungar is even still in business. Probably bought and > merged into one of the other companies.) > > For the most part, it doesn't leave me desiring additional > functionality. I've successfully used it to solder parts with a pitch > finder than 0.1". > > My understanding is that regulation is important with more sensitive SMD > parts so you don't overheat them. And newer irons specifically minimize > electrostatic discharge (ESD) with their designs. > > Professionally I used a 2-piece Weller soldering station, like: > http://www.ebay.com/itm/Weller-WTCPS-Soldering-Station-Base-unit-fits-TC201-tools-Power-Supply-/120922482958 > or: > http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3348441 > > which has regulated (fixed, I believe in the model I used) temperature > and ESD protection. But I always found the manufacturer supplied tips to > be rather large and clumsy. (Never bothered to order alternatives, which > I'm sure are available.) > > Back when I was using them, they were quite expensive. Now Weller has > similar (more hobby quality) models for $50: > http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/WELLER-WLC100-/21-3475 > > And now there are a slew of similar products from lesser known vendors > in the same price range. MCM regularly has one of their house brand > (Tenma) stations on sale for $50 or less with even more features, such > as this digitally controlled model: > http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/TENMA-21-10115-/21-10115 > > What concerns me about these off brands is the availability of tips. Not > just selection available at the time you buy the iron, but the longevity > of the supply. (Especially with rebranded stuff, like Tenma, where you > may never know the real manufacturer. If they claimed to be tip > compatible with Weller, it would solve it, but they don't.) > > Even Radio Shack has a Digital Soldering Station on sale for $70 this week: > http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3132686 > > So what is to be gained from an upgrade? > > -Tom > > _______________________________________________ > Hardwarehacking mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.blu.org/mailman/listinfo/hardwarehacking _______________________________________________ Hardwarehacking mailing list [email protected] http://lists.blu.org/mailman/listinfo/hardwarehacking
