Metcal MFR 450 KHz vs Metcal MX 13Mhz  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wolfram.Chrome
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2016, 11:55:10 pm
content: i want to buy an metcal mfr 1160 60 watt , 450 khz .my friend tells me that this system is weak, because it's only 450 khz then 13 Mhz which has more termal capacity and is more powerful in general.I know that some mx systems have less then 60 watts.This mean that also if the wattage is lower ,but the frequency is higher the more powerful system is the one with higher frequency also if the wattage is lower ?Its true ?

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 01:36:52 am
content: Power is power, the "low" frequency PS-900 and PS-800 deliver enough power (50-60W) for soldering copper sheets. The advantage of the higher frequency models is their smaller diameter hand pieces and tips, the curie point delivery makes the mass of the tips irrelevant.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 02:46:50 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on February 19, 2016, 02:46:05 amYou mean from Hakko's promotional materials? Of course they're going to claim it's better..

author: amc184
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 04:00:18 am
content: I've used a few Metcal 13MHz system irons and I think they're great. I haven't used the 450kHz system, so I can't compare. Just wanted to add something you might want to keep in mind; there are a far greater range of tips available for the 13MHz range, as well as the Talon tweezer iron.

author: Wolfram.Chrome
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 05:32:16 pm
content: so ,if a system have 60 watts of power and 450 khz ,this not make it less powerful then a system with the same wattage (60w) but with 13Mhz???this is my question.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2016, 06:57:03 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on February 19, 2016, 02:48:45 amEh?? Japanese wage income (In PPP* terms) is exactly between that of workers in Belgium and Sweden.*PPP - Purchasing Power Parity

author: PChi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2016, 04:13:44 pm
content: I have used both the 450 kHz systems and the 13 MHz. My impression is that the 13 MHz systems have a lower thermal resistance path to the tip.I don't think that it is the frequency it's just the overall design.I would rate the JBC in between the two.That is my highly subjective opinion though.

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2016, 06:49:31 pm
content: I have a Metcal MFR-1351 (and for reference, a Weller WSD81 and an old Pace MBT250 with solderhandpiece , desoldersucker and tweezers and a Metcal/Oki hot air station)I bought the Metcal as a replacement for the Pace (I still use the Pace tweezers). I like it, it does the job, heats up very quick and it has enough more as enough power to solder everything I want. Soldering a wire to a groundplane, a heatsink to a PCB etc. I use a hoof-shape tip for allround work and a small gullwing for smd. I use my stations everyday for repair-work.One thing I do not like. The 1351 has a soldering handpiece and a desoldergun. There is a switch that you use to switch between them. The solder iron has a stand that decreases power when parked in it and shuts it complete down after 2 hours or so.So the most logical thing would be that the switch is there to switch only the desoldergun and the soldering handpiece to be powered on if you power on the PSU unit. This because the stand works like a sort of switch already. But no, you have to choose. You can only use one at a time. I have more stations so not a huge problem but it is just stupid. It states on their website to have a dual switchable output so I thought it was like my Pace. I can power all 3 at the same time or choose to power only 1 or 2.Oh, if you order one, they come without a tip. Tips are not cheap. I mainly bought it for the desolder handpiece. There is not much choice in good desolder stations (that do not need a separate shop-compressor) so that is why I bought Metcal.Someone told me the MFR line is made for production work.