|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 227
Hitchhiker
|
|
Hitchhiker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 227 |
There is obviously a huge difference between the Metcal with a 600 degree tip in it and a Weller 100w pencil iron. No doubt! We're in total agreement there! If one does a lot of soldering the tool is well worth the money. After using Weller stations for years I was amazed how much better the Metcal was when I bought it. Definitely worth the money. The auto-off feature of the Metcal is also nice and helps minimize the damage done to tips when less-than-conscientious engineer's leave the soldering irons on when they're done with them and have no idea what tinning the tip means.  After moving to the Metcal, I eventually grew confident enough in my skills to attempt board rework and chip replacements that I never would have even thought about with some of the older Weller stations. But, when it's late at night and you're at a high-tech startup and your software team is dead in the water due to broken hardware, you do what you have to do to get them back up and running... Cost-wise, I was always fortunate enough to be one of the individuals spec-ing out the equipment needed in the lab and a couple of Metcal's were always first on the list! Spending the company's money is always easier than my spending my own!  Guess we're a wee-bit off topic Meridian-wise here, so I'll stop now... Regards, Dan W.
Current: Anthem MRX300, B&W Matrix 804 Front L/R, B&W Matrix HTM Center, B&W Matrix 805 Surround L/R, PS3, Squeezebox v3, Popcorn Hour A100
Retired: 568.1, 562v2, 596, 558, DSP5000 Mk1 24/96, DSP5000C Mk1 24/96
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 227
Hitchhiker
|
|
Hitchhiker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 227 |
Don't forget that for the last 2 years, all consumer electronics gear in the EU has to be RoHS compliant which means lead free solder is used. RoHS! Ugh, what a nightmare! The reasoning behind the initiative is completely admirable, but what a pain in the butt that was (still is?). Even though the networking gear I was designing at the time wasn't technically required to be RoHS compliant (central office application), all of the component manufacturer's were transitioning their entire product portfolio's none-the-less, which forced me to migrate as well... From managing the migration of part numbers, to inventory purchasing and management, to the assembly headaches of mixed lead and lead-free PCB's.. Ugh. RoHS was a serious factor in my deciding to make the jump from hardware design into more software oriented positions... Dan
Current: Anthem MRX300, B&W Matrix 804 Front L/R, B&W Matrix HTM Center, B&W Matrix 805 Surround L/R, PS3, Squeezebox v3, Popcorn Hour A100
Retired: 568.1, 562v2, 596, 558, DSP5000 Mk1 24/96, DSP5000C Mk1 24/96
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 501 Likes: 1
Paranoid android
|
|
Paranoid android
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 501 Likes: 1 |
I'm a Weller user - picked up a lovely digital temp controlled station from eBay for �60!
My top tip (sorry - crap pun not intended) is not to underestimate the usefulness of a very flexible cable. Solder stations operate at lower voltages and don't need loads of insulating jacket. It's a world of difference working with a decent station rather than a mains iron - and I'd attribute half of this to the flexible cable and small tip to handle distance. Good temperature control is very handy, but the real art of precision soldering is in the handling.
(Dan - Speaking as someone who works for a semi manufacturer - sorry about the RoHS thing - they made us do it!)
861v8, DSP5200, DSP5200HC, DSP5000mk2, UHD722, MF10, Prime, Prime PSU
|
|
|
|
0 members (),
64
guests, and
3
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums18
Topics31,150
Posts296,941
Members5,503
| |
Most Online4,788
May 22nd, 2026
|
|
|
|
Google Search
|
Meridian Systems
|
Meridian Streaming
|
Restaurant
|
WiKi
|
Duncan's Meridian Info
|
Board Rules
|
Restaurant Rules
