On 2018-02-13 01:37, John Chung wrote:
> It has been a very long time I have posted anything on this group. HOPE i=
t is still alive.
> Anyone invested on a Metcal? I am not sure if it is worth the dime. I do =
some repairs now and then but I want a good all rounder.Using the Hakko 888=
D currently for most of my work now.
> John

I have a Metcal MX-5251 "Soldering, Desoldering and Rework System".

I had used one at my place of work, and really liked it, so I splurged
and bought myself one for a birthday present (i.e. any convenient
excuse) for use on my home workbench.

Though the fast heat-up time is nice, what really sold me was how well
it maintained tip temperature regardless of the thermal mass of the
component being soldered.  Move from SMT, to thru-hole, to a heavy power
lug without any delay, and quickly soldering them all.

I originally thought the fixed tip-dependent temperature would be a
problem, but I've found that I've only needed to stock tips of one
temperature for all my soldering needs.  Again, because of how
effectively tip temperature is maintained.

The new Ultra Fine handpieces are TINY!  Perfect for assemblies where
components can be tough to reach with the full-size regular handpiece.

The only con has been slight flexing of the plug-in tip/heater.  I guess
my heavy-handed soldering technique can be blamed, and I'll improve
eventually.  I suspect any iron with plug-in heaters would be similar.

The desoldering handpiece requires compressed air at 80 PSI for its
venturi tube to generate vacuum.  I have a California Air Tools 4610AC
"Ultra Quiet & Oil-Free" 17.4 L (4.6 U.S. gallon) compressor, a Home
Depot online purchase.  It is massive overkill for desoldering, but
still surprisingly physically small and lightweight; fits under my
bench.  When running (about 3 minutes from empty to full), its noise
level is not unreasonable in a residential setting.  It actually makes
more noise emptying the tank at the end of a usage session.

[Leaving compressed air in a compressor's tank for extended periods can
adversely shorten check-valve spring life.  Emptying the tank also helps
to avoid moisture accumulation, and tank corrosion.  Don't use the
bleed-valve to remove the bulk of the air, as that is horrendously
noisy, and should only be used for moisture removal.  A large diameter
"blow-gun" attachment is much faster and quieter.  The compressor also
works great with airtools like nailers; my first air-tool purchase for
it was a 23 ga. pin-nailer.]

I'm suspicious there may eventually be a move to obsolete the Metcal
line with similar Oki products, now that Oki own them.  However, Metcal
likely has enough industry penetration to avoid that happening.  I
stocked-up on spare parts (several lifetime supply) to soothe my
paranoia anyway.

~~
Andrew E. Mileski
--=20
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