I've got a Metcal MX500. Love it. Handle is light, stays pretty cool. Tips =
are available fairly cheaply on ebay if you pay attention.

-Pete

On Sep 10, 2011, at 1:55 PM, Mike Harrison wrote:

> On Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:09:49 +0100, you wrote:
>=20
>> I also had a look at one of the Metcal Smartheat stations, but wasn't=20
>> impressed about having to buy separate bits for different temperature=20
>> settings. I can see where that would help (production lines), but on my=
=20
>> lab bench I like being able to start at a baseline of 335C (for SnPb)=20
>> and increase from there as necessary (I usually increase by another 25C=
=20
>> or so if I'm using desolder wick or soldering heavy ground planes).
>=20
> You just don't need the temp adjustment with a Metcal. With conventional =
irons, the thermal
> resistance between the sensor/element and the work means you typically ne=
ed to set the temp over by
> a margin depending on the tip size and load of the work.
> A Metcal has the heat source and sensing welded to the tip,and  it can pu=
mp as much heat as
> necessary  in so fast without overshoot that you just don't ever need to =
change the temp. the
> STTC/SMTC 1xx series tips are fine for leaded and leadfree.=20
> You can do stuff like solder a TO220 tab to a groundplane in a couple of =
seconds with a fat tip,
> swap to a fine SMD one and be soldering with it 10 seconds later.
>=20
>> Thing is, I don't want to plunk down =A3250 plus VAT on a soldering=20
>> station on the basis of marketing newspeak
>=20
> When Metcal started, over  20 years ago, their sales technique was to len=
d people one for a week -
> very few (< 5% ISTR) people didn't buy after using it,
>=20
> Another major benefit is that the (cool) handle-to-tip distance is very s=
hort, which means it
> handles very nicely for small SMD work. =20
>=20
> Anyone who has used a Metcal will tell you they'd never use anything else=
..
>=20
> You want to go for the MX /STSS series as there are lots of useful tip sh=
apes, including stuff like
> wide blades which are great for reflowing QFPs etc.
> Metcal tips and PSUs can often be found on ebay at reasonable prices
>=20
> Some ex Metcal people formed thermaltronics when Metcal's key patents exp=
ired, who sell a
> Metcal-compatible station and tips, which may be worth a look
> http://www.thermaltronics.com/
>=20
> --=20
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
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> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist


--=20
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