On Sun, Mar 7, 2021 at 11:48 PM RETRO Innovations <[email protected]> wrote: > > That tip looks amazing. I sadly do not have a Hakko, but I'm almost > convinced to buy one just to try out that tip. Can you suggest a not > terribly expensive model to select? (I currently have a Metcal MX500, and I > love it, but I agree that tip seems too good to pass up). >
Well, I'm surprised, but I don't see that Metcal sells a K tip for that station. The FX series are the current Hakko stations - maybe FX-951 or so. I almost hate to suggest moving from a Metcal to anything else, though. Maybe there are third-party tips available? I don't know enough about the Metcal stations to know what's compatible with it. I'm planning on adding a second soldering station to my bench and I'm seriously considering a "KSGER T12" type station. These are very inexpensive irons that take cartridge-style tips, but there are plenty of styles available. Despite their price, I've heard good things about them and seen very skilled rework techs use them on YouTube. https://www.ebay.com/itm/KSGER-T12-Soldering-Iron-Station-MIni-STM32-OLED-V2-01-DIY-Kits-FX9501/114222442536 for instance. My other contender was the TS-100 type pencil irons, but I don't think I like that style as much as the separate base and iron. -Josh
