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OT: New soldering station needed

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Cady, Fred

OT: New soldering station needed

Hi all,
My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the ghost. Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips. I have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
Thoughts? Your favorites?
Thanks and 73,
Fred KE7X

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John Westmoreland

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

Hello Fred,

My favorite has been Metcal for many years - you can see some of their
latest models here:

http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/products/hand-soldering-systems/systems/dual-port-simultaneous/mx-5200-soldering-rework-and-desoldering

More expensive - but they last.

73's,
John
AJ6BC

On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 3:44 PM, Cady, Fred <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi all,
> My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the ghost.
> Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature
> controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips. I
> have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
> Thoughts? Your favorites?
> Thanks and 73,
> Fred KE7X
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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Harlan Sherriff

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Cady, Fred

Fred
I have used Pace brand for 30+ years and never had a complaint.
Check out the ST-50 with TD-100 iron

www.Paceworldwide.com

Harlan
NC3C
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE DROID

"Cady, Fred" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>Hi all,
>My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the ghost. Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips. I have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
>Thoughts? Your favorites?
>Thanks and 73,
>Fred KE7X
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Elecraft mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>Message delivered to [hidden email]

John Westmoreland

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by John Westmoreland

Fred,

I should've mentioned also - I haven't used any of these myself as I am
fairly well-stocked with Metcal equipment - but
www.anchor-electronics.comhas a 'Metcal-Compatible' model -
you can see it here in their pdf:
http://www.anchor-electronics.com/price-list.pdf

73's,
John
AJ6BC

On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 4:02 PM, John C. Westmoreland, P.E. <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello Fred,
>
> My favorite has been Metcal for many years - you can see some of their
> latest models here:
>
>
> http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/products/hand-soldering-systems/systems/dual-port-simultaneous/mx-5200-soldering-rework-and-desoldering
>
> More expensive - but they last.
>
> 73's,
> John
> AJ6BC
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 3:44 PM, Cady, Fred <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the
>> ghost. Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature
>> controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips. I
>> have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
>> Thoughts? Your favorites?
>> Thanks and 73,
>> Fred KE7X
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>
>

James Doty

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Cady, Fred

Hi Fred, I'll try this again:

Lets see if I can post to the list this time.

I have a Hakko FX-951, it has a temperature display on it and is a nice
soldering station. I have used mine to solder through hole and SMD
components with ease. I really like it.

On Mon, 24 Mar 2014, Cady, Fred wrote:

> Hi all,
> My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the ghost. Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips. I have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
> Thoughts? Your favorites?
> Thanks and 73,
> Fred KE7X
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Bill Frantz

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Cady, Fred

I have been using a Haako 936 I bought off the shelf at Fry's
Electronics for a number of years now. It has interchangeable
tips (but I only use one), temperature range from 200C (392F) to
480C (896F), ESD safe. I've used it for everything from
installing SM ICs in some kits to soldering PL-259 connectors.

It doesn't have a temperature display, but the LED comes on when
it is heating. Starting from cold, it gets to 375C in the time
it takes me to take the sponge out and wet it in the nearby
bathroom. I've been quite happy with it.

Note that my usage is home hobbyist, not professional
electronics repair/assembly.

Cheers - Bill, AE6JV

On 3/24/14 at 3:44 PM, [hidden email] (Cady, Fred) wrote:

>My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up
>the ghost. Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement
>- temperature controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital
>display, a range of tips.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Frantz | The first thing you need when | Periwinkle
(408)356-8506 | using a perimeter defense is a | 16345
Englewood Ave
www.pwpconsult.com | perimeter. | Los Gatos,
CA 95032

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Jessie Oberreuter-2

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by James Doty

I'll second. I'm a METCAL user, and I was impressed by the
Hakko FX-951 James has. I felt right at home with it!

kb7psg

On Mon, 24 Mar 2014, James Doty wrote:

> Hi Fred, I'll try this again:
>
> Lets see if I can post to the list this time.
>
> I have a Hakko FX-951, it has a temperature display on it and is a nice
> soldering station. I have used mine to solder through hole and SMD
> components with ease. I really like it.
>
> On Mon, 24 Mar 2014, Cady, Fred wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the ghost.
>> Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature controlled
>> 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips. I have done,
>> but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
>> Thoughts? Your favorites?
>> Thanks and 73,
>> Fred KE7X
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Josh Fiden

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by James Doty

I use Hakko FX-951 in a production environment. This is an excellent,
durable soldering station. If you haven't used a modern soldering
station with fast thermal recovery, you're in for a treat!

These replaced Weller stations which required a significant spare parts
inventory to keep running.

73,
Josh W6XU

On 3/24/2014 6:16 PM, James Doty wrote:
> Hi Fred, I'll try this again:
>
> Lets see if I can post to the list this time.
>
> I have a Hakko FX-951, it has a temperature display on it and is a nice
> soldering station. I have used mine to solder through hole and SMD
> components with ease. I really like it.

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Vic Rosenthal

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

I have one too, and it is great. It heats up almost instantly. And I
recently had a very pleasant experience dealing with the importer,
American Hakko, who got me a 230v transformer for it from Japan.

On 3/25/2014 9:38 AM, Josh Fiden wrote:
> I use Hakko FX-951 in a production environment. This is an excellent,
> durable soldering station. If you haven't used a modern soldering
> station with fast thermal recovery, you're in for a treat!
>
> These replaced Weller stations which required a significant spare parts
> inventory to keep running.
>
> 73,
> Josh W6XU

--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

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Phil Salas

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Josh Fiden

What tip or tips do you recommend? They have a 4mm chisel, a 5.2mm chisel, and a conical.
Thanks,
Phil – AD5X

“I use Hakko FX-951 in a production environment. This is an excellent, durable soldering station. If you haven't used a modern soldering station with fast thermal recovery, you're in for a treat!These replaced Weller stations which required a significant spare parts inventory to keep running.73, Josh W6XU”
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

Phil.

I have a Hakko 936, but your question does not relate to the specific
soldering station. I prefer a narrow chisel tip, so the 4mm would be my
choice. Used 'sideways', it will work similar to a conical tip, but has
enough flat area to handle most thru-hole soldering jobs.
I personally do not find the conical tips to be any advantage, I have
tried them and discarded them in preference to the screwdriver (chisel)
tips.
YMMV.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 3/25/2014 9:14 PM, Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> What tip or tips do you recommend? They have a 4mm chisel, a 5.2mm chisel, and a conical.
> Thanks,
> Phil – AD5X
>
> “I use Hakko FX-951 in a production environment. This is an excellent, durable soldering station. If you haven't used a modern soldering station with fast thermal recovery, you're in for a treat!These replaced Weller stations which required a significant spare parts inventory to keep running.73, Josh W6XU”
>

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Mark Goldberg

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Cady, Fred

I have a Hakko FX-888, works great, looks like a kids toy. I have a variety
of tips, large screwdriver to very small conical and have done everything
from AWG4 lugs to SOT23 SMTs, leaded and lead free solder. Temp adjustable
and very good heat and recovery. I have also used a Metcal and like the
Hakka just as much. Lots of tips available.

Mark
W7MLG
On Mar 24, 2014 3:44 PM, "Cady, Fred" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Josh Fiden

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Phil Salas

If I wanted to be prepared for whatever comes along, I'd get a large and
small chisel, plus small conical for SMD. For example:

5.2mm chisel T15-D52
1.2mm chisel T15-D12
0.2mm conical T15-BLL

The long slender snoot on that conical makes it easier to see an SMD
part underneath. The D24/2.4mm chisel is also nice if you want something
big enough to hit a larger through hole tab, but you don't want to swap
tips to get into a tight space.

The colored sleeves are also nice. You can hot swap tips and the bright
colors (orange, green, blue, etc) mean you can quickly grab the size you
want without close inspection. Those are part# B321x, where x specifies
the color.

73,
Josh W6XU

On 3/25/2014 6:14 PM, Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> What tip or tips do you recommend? They have a 4mm chisel, a 5.2mm chisel, and a conical.
> Thanks,
> Phil – AD5X
>

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wc1m

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Mark Goldberg

The FX-951 features look great and I'm considering one to replace my old
Weller EC2001 with EC1201A pencil. Tips are hard to find for that model
these days.

What FX-951 tips work well for SMD parts? Mostly I solder/desolder
components with leads, but occasionally I need to solder or desolder SMD
chips and flat packs (I think that's the name for discreet components.) In
addition to the Weller EC2001/ EC1201A, I have a Hakko 808 desolder gun. I
can sort of muddle my way through with one of those and manual tweezers, and
have used ChipQuik to with some success to desolder SMD ICs, but the tips I
have for the EC1201A aren't small enough and the desolder gun tip is
sometimes too big or overkill for SMD chips with a lot of leads.

It looks like Hakko doesn't offer desolder tweezers for the FX-951, but I
don't know if desolder tweezers would really improve things or be worth it
for my occasional SMD requirements. There's a desolder tweezer for the
FX-888D, but I prefer the features of the FX-951.

73, Dick WC1M

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Goldberg [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:33 AM
> To: Cady, Fred
> Cc: Elecraft Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: New soldering station needed
>
> I have a Hakko FX-888, works great, looks like a kids toy. I have a
variety of tips,
> large screwdriver to very small conical and have done everything from AWG4
> lugs to SOT23 SMTs, leaded and lead free solder. Temp adjustable and very
> good heat and recovery. I have also used a Metcal and like the Hakka just
as
> much. Lots of tips available.
>
> Mark
> W7MLG
> On Mar 24, 2014 3:44 PM, "Cady, Fred" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > Hi all,
> > My venerable and aged Weller EC2000 solder station has given up the
ghost.

> > Anybody have any suggestions of a good replacement - temperature
> > controlled 300 - 800 degrees or so, digital display, a range of tips.
> > I have done, but don't do as a practice, surface mount projects.
> > Thoughts? Your favorites?
> > Thanks and 73,
> > Fred KE7X
> >
> >
> _____________________________________________________________
> _
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email
> > list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to
> > [hidden email]
> >

James Doty

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

Your mileage may very but I use the T18-BR02 tip for both SMD and
through hole soldering.

I'd planned on buying more tips but frankly I'm 100% satisfied with
this tip.

I should probably get a larger tip though for soldering connectors and
such.
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Mel

Re: OT: New soldering station needed

In reply to this post by Josh Fiden

I agree with the long snoot, hi. I modified the longest one I had for a 45 degree bend so that I had a 1/4 inch approx length of horizontal tip to heat up several SMD leads at once. Seemed to help.

Mel, K6KBE

On Wednesday, March 26, 2014 3:21 PM, Josh Fiden <[hidden email]> wrote:

If I wanted to be prepared for whatever comes along, I'd get a large and
small chisel, plus small conical for SMD. For example:

5.2mm chisel T15-D52
1.2mm chisel T15-D12
0.2mm conical T15-BLL

The long slender snoot on that conical makes it easier to see an SMD
part underneath. The D24/2.4mm chisel is also nice if you want something
big enough to hit a larger through hole tab, but you don't want to swap
tips to get into a tight space.

The colored sleeves are also nice. You can hot swap tips and the bright
colors (orange, green, blue, etc) mean you can quickly grab the size you
want without close inspection. Those are part# B321x, where x specifies
the color.

73,
Josh W6XU

On 3/25/2014 6:14 PM, Phil & Debbie Salas wrote:
> What tip or tips do you recommend? They have a 4mm chisel, a 5.2mm chisel, and a conical.
> Thanks,
> Phil – AD5X
>

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