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nuckollsr(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 9:03 am Post subject: Solder Station

At 08:55 PM 1/12/2006 -0500, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

<jschroeder(at)perigee.net>



The ones on EBay are most likely from an enterprising set of folks who buy

them from the big electronics mfg's or repair stations and auction/sell

them on eBay.


	


    The METCAL soldering tools are the acme of soldering tools.

    They're only capable of delivering about 30 watts to the tip

    but the WHOLE 30 watts gets out there. The tips are temperature

    controlled. Tips are easy to change . . .just seconds even

    when hot . . . the cold one is ready us use in under a minute.

    Tip sizes range from about .2" flats to .015" points. I can

    solder a terminal on a 2AWG wire with the big guy and install

    .025" pitch surface mount chips with the other one.



    RAC has used nothing but METCAL for about 20 years. I dumped

    all of the solder stations in my shop about 6 years ago and

    went to METCAL's purchased off Ebay.



    Whole stations with power supply, wand, tips and wand holder

    will be more expensive. Wands take the most beating so I try

    to buy orphaned power supplies (picked up one last week for

    $40). I like to get new wands from a distributor (typically

    $60) and tips off Ebay (1 to $10 each).



    This is an excellent way to acquire what is arguably one

    of the most versatile soldering systems out there for well

    under $200. I have two on the bench, one in my grab-it-and-

    run toolkit and I've purchased perhaps another half dozen

    for family members. I've had a couple of power supplies go

    TU over the years but they're so inexpensive to replace, I

    don't bother to repair them. It's not worth the time. The

    supply I bought last week is a "spare".



    Bob . . .

stein(at)steinair.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject: Solder Station

Ditton on the Metcals.  That's all we use in our shop as well - and we

learned this from the airline days.  The R&E shops at the airlines had these

and we liked them, so we procured some for our own use when I set up my own

shop.  They are lightning fast to heat up, will work on everything from hair

thin wires to larger gauges and multiples.  After you use one you'll never

go back!  Ours too mostly come off of Ebay!



Cheers,

Stein.



--

johnbright

Joined: 14 Dec 2011
Posts: 166
Location: Newport News, VA

Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2017 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Solder Station

Metcal... what model number to look for on eBay... cartridge or tip hand piece?

_________________
John Bright, RV-6A, at FWF, O-360
Z-101 single batt dual alt SDS EM-5-F.
john_s_bright@yahoo.com, Newport News, Va
N1921R links

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:07 am Post subject: Solder Station

At 08:34 PM 2/18/2017, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "johnbright" <john_s_bright(at)yahoo.com>



 Metcal... what model number to look for on eBay... cartridge or tip hand piece? 	


   There's a new kid on the block . . .



  http://tinyurl.com/jfmgep8



   My electronics bench is still Metcal but 

   I've got two Hakko stations on the benches

   in the beat-n-bash shop. They are excellent

   performers and offer a wide selection of tips.



 

 

   Bob . . .

johnbright

Joined: 14 Dec 2011
Posts: 166
Location: Newport News, VA

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 9:47 am Post subject: Re: Solder Station

Thanks Bob, I went ahead and bought the Hakko FX888D-23BY your link pointed to. Just under $100.

_________________
John Bright, RV-6A, at FWF, O-360
Z-101 single batt dual alt SDS EM-5-F.
john_s_bright@yahoo.com, Newport News, Va
N1921R links

alec(at)alecmyers.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 4:48 pm Post subject: Solder Station

Very hard to beat the sheer joy of soldering with the Metcal, and the precision of the Curie-point temperature control system. It's the soldering equivalent of driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini. But boy do you pay for it.



On Feb 19, 2017, at 12:47, johnbright <john_s_bright(at)yahoo.com> wrote:






Thanks Bob, I went ahead and bought the Hakko FX888D-23BY your link pointed to. Just under $100.



--------

John Bright, RV-6A, at Finish Kit

Continental Titan IOX-360, 8.5:1, vertical sump, SDSEFI EM-5, injectors in heads.

Aeroelectric Z-12.





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=466434#466434

alec(at)alecmyers.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2017 5:46 pm Post subject: Solder Station

My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Metcal irons use? 



 	  Quote: 	
		   On Feb 19, 2017, at 7:45 PM, Alec Myers <alec(at)alecmyers.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 Very hard to beat the sheer joy of soldering with the Metcal, and the precision of the Curie-point temperature control system. It's the soldering equivalent of driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini. But boy do you pay for it.

 

 On Feb 19, 2017, at 12:47, johnbright <john_s_bright(at)yahoo.com> wrote:

 

 

 

 Thanks Bob, I went ahead and bought the Hakko FX888D-23BY your link pointed to. Just under $100.

 

 --------

 John Bright, RV-6A, at Finish Kit

 Continental Titan IOX-360, 8.5:1, vertical sump, SDSEFI EM-5, injectors in heads.

 Aeroelectric Z-12.

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 

 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=466434#466434

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 11:08 am Post subject: Solder Station

At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Alec Myers <alec(at)alecmyers.com>



 My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Metcal irons use? 	


   Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip.

   The cord out to the tip is multiple

   conductors. Replacement heaters

   have 4 conductors.



 [img]cid:.0[/img]



   Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative

   to Metcal.



   I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away

   several . . . but depending on my experience over

   the next few years with Hakko, I may very well

   not replace any Metcal that goes belly up.



   I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder

   station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . .

   although it appears to incorporate similar

   technology.



   The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot-

   air station.



  http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5



   Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've

   got a surface-mount assembly project coming up

   where I'll try it out with attaching parts with

   solder paste.



   The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking

   and label removal . . . watch this space . . .

  



 

   Bob . . .

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yellowduckduo(at)gmail.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 11:50 am Post subject: Solder Station

My Weller solder station uses a magnet attached to the back end of the 

solder tip. It loses magnetism at the predefined temperature as it 

heats. That cycles the power to the heater. It is often referred to as 

the Curie temperature of the magnet according to Wiki. You can change 

tips for a different temperature.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curie_temperature

Ken

On 20/02/2017 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote:

> 

>

> My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect 

> that Metcal irons use? 

   Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip.

   The cord out to the tip is multiple

   conductors. Replacement heaters

   have 4 conductors.

 Emacs!

   Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative

   to Metcal.

   I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away

   several . . . but depending on my experience over

   the next few years with Hakko, I may very well

   not replace any Metcal that goes belly up.

   I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder

   station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . .

   although it appears to incorporate similar

   technology.

   The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot-

   air station.

 http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5

 <http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5>  Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . 

 but I've

   got a surface-mount assembly project coming up

   where I'll try it out with attaching parts with

   solder paste.

   The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking

   and label removal . . . watch this space . . .

   Bob . . .

alec(at)alecmyers.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 11:56 am Post subject: Solder Station

We  must have different MetCal soldering irons, then. My handset is connected via an RF connector and a length of heat-resistant coax.The station is a 50Watt 1MHz (I think) RF generator, and the tip selectively absorbs more RF energy as the temperature drops, and yes, it was the Curie point effect that's used.

[img]cid:0BCDED1D-CC43-481D-B301-0A4A496B99F3(at)lan[/img]



The base station and handset is about USD$1k - but, it's a complete pleasure to use, from the tiniest SMD component to soldering ring terminals on 6, 4 or 2 gauge wire - all equally easy.

On 20Feb2017, at 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com (nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com)> wrote:At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: 	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Alec Myers <alec(at)alecmyers.com (alec(at)alecmyers.com)>My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Metcal irons use? 	
  Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip.  The cord out to the tip is multiple  conductors. Replacement heaters  have 4 conductors.<1bd797ce.jpg>  Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative  to Metcal.  I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away  several . . . but depending on my experience over  the next few years with Hakko, I may very well  not replace any Metcal that goes belly up.  I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder  station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . .  although it appears to incorporate similar  technology.  The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot-  air station.http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5  Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've  got a surface-mount assembly project coming up  where I'll try it out with attaching parts with  solder paste.  The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking  and label removal . . . watch this space . . .   Bob . . .

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alec(at)alecmyers.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 1:05 pm Post subject: Solder Station

Interesting point of comparison: the expensive Metcal station is still only 70% of the list price of the AMP crimp tool Bob has been recommending.



On Feb 20, 2017, at 3:49 PM, Stein Bruch <stein(at)steinair.com (stein(at)steinair.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} <![endif]-->  <![endif]-->   <![endif]-->

The older Metalâ€™s use the multi conductor cable (we have a number of them) and the newer ones use the connector as shown below. Indeed that brand (OKI/Metcal) is one of the better solder stations out there (in my biased opinion)â€“ Weller also makes some really nice solder stations (as does Hakko).  We happen to use Metcalâ€™s in our shop because thatâ€™s just what we started with many years ago.  That said, none of the higher end units are cheap â€“ and really not something the average consumer really needs at all.  There are a pile of sub $200 units out there that will more than work acceptably for the average person not doing production type work.

 

Cheers,

Stein

 

 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com) [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com (owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com)] On Behalf Of Alec Myers

Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 1:49 PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com (aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com)

Subject: Re: Re: Solder Station

 

We  must have different MetCal soldering irons, then. My handset is connected via an RF connector and a length of heat-resistant coax.

The station is a 50Watt 1MHz (I think) RF generator, and the tip selectively absorbs more RF energy as the temperature drops, and yes, it was the Curie point effect that's used.

 



 

<image001.jpg>



 



The base station and handset is about USD$1k - but, it's a complete pleasure to use, from the tiniest SMD component to soldering ring terminals on 6, 4 or 2 gauge wire - all equally easy.



 



 



On 20Feb2017, at 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com (nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com)> wrote:



At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  

--> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Alec Myers <alec(at)alecmyers.com (alec(at)alecmyers.com)>



My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Metcal irons use? 	




  Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip.

  The cord out to the tip is multiple

  conductors. Replacement heaters

  have 4 conductors.



<1bd797ce.jpg>



  Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative

  to Metcal.



  I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away

  several . . . but depending on my experience over

  the next few years with Hakko, I may very well

  not replace any Metcal that goes belly up.



  I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder

  station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . .

  although it appears to incorporate similar

  technology.



  The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot-

  air station.



http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5



  Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've

  got a surface-mount assembly project coming up

  where I'll try it out with attaching parts with

  solder paste.



  The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking

  and label removal . . . watch this space . . .

 



  Bob . . .

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 4:52 pm Post subject: Solder Station

At 01:47 PM 2/20/2017, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: C&K <yellowduckduo(at)gmail.com>



 My Weller solder station uses a magnet attached to the back end of the solder tip. It loses magnetism at the predefined temperature as it heats. That cycles the power to the heater. It is often referred to as the Curie temperature of the magnet according to Wiki. You can change tips for a different temperature. 	


  The Weller WTCPT solder stations go WAaayyyy back. I took

  a hiatus from Electro-Mech to go work in the video industry.

  What an education that was! The chief engineer I went to

  work for had the WTCPT stations in his lab. I was so

  impressed with them that I fitted every assembly station

  on the production line with them.



  When I went back to Electro-Mech a few years later, I

  hit up the boss about fitting our production line with

  these leading edge tools. I needed 12 stations and

  I think they were about $100 each at the time.



  He balked at that big an expenditure. So I asked him

  what kind of budget I could have to upgrade the line

  from the 25w, non-controlled irons.



  He offered me $600.



  A few weeks later he came into my office in a bit

  of a huff wondering where I got off blowing the

  budget on WTCPT stations. I was a bit taken aback,

  I in fact spent considerably less than then

  funds budgeted.



  I discovered that the station base contained

  only a 24v, 2A transformer. Replacement

  wands for the station were $25 or thereabouts.



  So I went down to Elmer Travis' surplus store on

  N. Broadway and bought two big honker 24v transformers.

  I think they were 15A for $20 each. I wired the

  benches for 24VAC distribution and installed 

  those really cool irons at each work station.

  I think I got it all done for under $500 including

  my labor to hook 'em up.



  I was introduced to Metcal at Beech. But until

  I too could afford to acquire them, my own benches

  were fitted with WTCPT repair wands and junk box

  transformers.



 

 

   Bob . . .

art(at)zemon.name
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2017 8:35 pm Post subject: Solder Station

Boy I wish I had known this story before I dropped $140 on my own Weller WTCPT station. 



Â  Â  -- Art Z.



On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 6:45 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com (nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		    At 01:47 PM 2/20/2017, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: C&K <yellowduckduo(at)gmail.com (yellowduckduo(at)gmail.com)>



 My Weller solder station uses a magnet attached to the back end of the solder tip. It loses magnetism at the predefined temperature as it heats. That cycles the power to the heater. It is often referred to as the Curie temperature of the magnet according to Wiki. You can change tips for a different temperature. 	


 Â The Weller WTCPT solder stations go WAaayyyy back. I took

 Â a hiatus from Electro-Mech to go work in the video industry.

 Â What an education that was! The chief engineer I went to

 Â work for had the WTCPT stations in his lab. I was so

 Â impressed with them that I fitted every assembly station

 Â on the production line with them.



 Â When I went back to Electro-Mech a few years later, I

 Â hit up the boss about fitting our production line with

 Â these leading edge tools. I needed 12 stations and

 Â I think they were about $100 each at the time.



 Â He balked at that big an expenditure. So I asked him

 Â what kind of budget I could have to upgrade the line

 Â from the 25w, non-controlled irons.



 Â He offered me $600.



 Â A few weeks later he came into my office in a bit

 Â of a huff wondering where I got off blowing the

 Â budget on WTCPT stations. I was a bit taken aback,

 Â I in fact spent considerably less than then

 Â funds budgeted.



 Â I discovered that the station base contained

 Â only a 24v, 2A transformer. Replacement

 Â wands for the station were $25 or thereabouts.



 Â So I went down to Elmer Travis' surplus store on

 Â N. Broadway and bought two big honker 24v transformers.

 Â I think they were 15A for $20 each. I wired the

 Â benches for 24VAC distribution and installed 

 Â those really cool irons at each work station.

 Â I think I got it all done for under $500 including

 Â my labor to hook 'em up.



 Â I was introduced to Metcal at Beech. But until

 Â I too could afford to acquire them, my own benches

 Â were fitted with WTCPT repair wands and junk box

 Â transformers.



 

 

 Â  Bob . . .  

	




-- 

https://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/"If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2017 10:24 am Post subject: Solder Station

At 10:32 PM 2/20/2017, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  Boy I wish I had known this story before I dropped $140 on my own Weller WTCPT station. 	


   Sorry 'bout that. BTW, If anyone is considering

   a DIY WTCPT project, be sure your power source

   is 24 VAC.  One of my techs tried running his

   iron on a DC power supply. Contacts in the

   temperature control switch went south in too

   short a time. The switch just didn't demonstrate

   circuit breaking dynamics needed for an orderly

   control of DC (See switch chapter in 'Connection).



 

   Bob . . .

johnbright

Joined: 14 Dec 2011
Posts: 166
Location: Newport News, VA

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:42 pm Post subject: Re: Solder Station

I received the Hakko FX888D-23BY. So far in my life I've had 30w irons you plug in and wait till it melts solder. This one is a joy relative to that, I set the temp, maybe 650F is good... it gets to that in 20s. I suppose it's great for my hobby use.

_________________
John Bright, RV-6A, at FWF, O-360
Z-101 single batt dual alt SDS EM-5-F.
john_s_bright@yahoo.com, Newport News, Va
N1921R links

johnbright

Joined: 14 Dec 2011
Posts: 166
Location: Newport News, VA

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:45 pm Post subject: Re: Solder Station

I received the FX888D-23BY. So far in my life I've had 30w irons you plug in and wait till it melts solder. This one is a joy relative to that, I set the temp, maybe 650F is good... it gets to that in 20s. I suppose it's great for my hobby use.

_________________
John Bright, RV-6A, at FWF, O-360
Z-101 single batt dual alt SDS EM-5-F.
john_s_bright@yahoo.com, Newport News, Va
N1921R links

alec(at)alecmyers.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:56 pm Post subject: Solder Station

Forgive me, but i had to go and check: the Metcal is at temperature and melting solder five seconds after power on.



On Feb 26, 2017, at 21:45, johnbright <john_s_bright(at)yahoo.com> wrote:






I received the FX888D-23BY. So far in my life I've had 30w irons you plug in and wait till it melts solder. This one is a joy relative to that, I set the temp, maybe 650F is good... it gets to that in 20s. I suppose it's great for my hobby use.



--------

John Bright, RV-6A, at Finish Kit

Continental Titan IOX-360, 8.5:1, vertical sump, SDSEFI EM-5, injectors in heads.

Aeroelectric Z-12.





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=466687#466687

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 9:34 am Post subject: Solder Station

At 08:45 PM 2/26/2017, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "johnbright" <john_s_bright(at)yahoo.com>



 I received the FX888D-23BY. So far in my life I've had 30w irons you plug in and wait till it melts solder. This one is a joy relative to that, I set the temp, maybe 650F is good... it gets to that in 20s. I suppose it's great for my hobby use. 	


   that's about how long it takes my Metcal RFG-30

   power supplies to warm up a 'electronics' tip.

   The big honker chisel tips a bit longer. BTW,

   after 40+ years of sifting through soldering

   iron holders, this one is my favorite:



 [img]cid:.0[/img]



 

   You can't buy them any more but the stand is from

   Radio Shack . . one could probably fabricate or

   purchase something similar elsewhere.



   Took the base cover off and filled the cavity

   with a 'potting compound' consisting of shot

   shell pellets mixed with just enough epoxy to

   make them really stick together (Plaster of

   Paris might work as well). When the

   epoxy sets, put the base cover back on. The

   wet-sponge-tip-cleaner was replaced with

   a wad of stainless steel pot scrubber. It

   provides a good mechanical cleaning while

   taking little heat out of the tip. It's also

   easy to clean as bits of solder and tip-scum

   shake right out of it.



   I've been using this holder for close to

   20 years with no urges to replace it.



 

 

   Bob . . .

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