Soldering station info needed

This is on sale for half price with free shipping.
http://mcm.newark.com/NewarkWebCommerce/mcm/en_US/support/catalog/productDetail.jsp?id=21-1590

?Adjustable temperature and a variety of available tips make these units perfect for most soldering applications including SMD ?Grounded tip for soldering static sensitive devices ?Overheat protection with closed loop temperature control ?Heat resistant soldering iron cord ?Grounded three wire power cord ?Auxiliary ground terminal ?Built-in tray with cleaning sponge ?Easily accessible fuse holder ?Units come with replaceable iron clad conical 3/64" tip ?Improved circuit design for greater temperature stability ?48W ?Available in digital or linear LED display
Digital display 320~900°F


I don't know anything about the brand or availability/size of tips - maybe takes Weller tips?

Anyone familiar with this?

Thanks

you really are crazy


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listen to the voice of reason... it says METCAL got one from evilbay for 50$ and then bought a whole lot of tips for like 50$. now i have every smd tip known to mankind. and have used 1. :shock:

I am a big metcal supporter. No better soldering iron avaliable.

Check them on ebay and look for the PS2E-01. Its an older model, but all the same tips work with the current production stuff.

I've been thinking of buying either a Hakko 936ESD or the Xytronics 137ESD. Any opinions from users of either of these? I've used the Hakko 936 at work a lot, but the Xytronics looks just as good and is cheaper...

as nice as the xytronics look


stay away from them


I happen to have one and I cant get tips for it anymore... probably will have to buy a new one in the comming year :\

there isnt enough support for them

Hakko is affordable, parts are readily available.

Weller is more expensive, as are parts... They're also more finnickey... All my soldering stuff is weller. I wish it was Hakko instead, from a fussy/cheap to maintain point of view.

As for the best quality... Metcal.

Keith

There are two kinds of soldering irons.

Those that work and make life easy.
and those irons that do not work well.
Yes there is differences.

The two vendors that work are Hakko and Metcal.
Metcal is the top of the heap but for larger work
My Hakko works better. The Metcal works best on fine pitch
surface mount parts with we do not see every day in the DIY world.
Get the Hakko it is cheaper. If money is no object get the Metcal.

All of the other irons on the planet are in the not working very well group.
But if you need one other name the Wellers and not too bad.
Not in the same league as the Hakko but barely usable.
Their benefit is the replacement parts are very easy to get for the Wellers.

Thanks guys. It looks like the Hakko 936ESD is it...

[quote author="adrianh"]There are two kinds of soldering irons.

Those that work and make life easy.
and those irons that do not work well.
Yes there is differences.
[/quote]

Since I have never used an iron that works well (by your definition) maybe you could point out the specific advantages over one that works well and one that doesn't.
Mine heats the lead, melts the solder and stays at a workable temperature. How do some do it better than others?

Thanks

[quote author="crazydoc"]How do some do it better than others?[/quote]One thing is the better ones are more reliable over time and do a better job keeping a constant tip temperature during the soldering process. The iron/station/tips last longer and you don't have to worry as much about over/under-heating the joints. Also I'd recommend an ESD safe iron, especially for FET circuits.

The gist of your first question is that a good used Weller, Metcal, Hakko, or Pace is a much better value than a new Tenma.