Soldering stations with "auto sleep" temperature lowering? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: creyc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 04:58:51 pm
content: I'm looking for a new soldering station and have been impressed by the auto sleep feature of my buddies JBC station. Too often I'll start working on a board and get side tracked on some programming or PC stuff and forget that the iron is burning away.I was trying to produce a list of similar stations to the JBC, and wondered if anyone could chime in with their recommendations in this regard.

author: staxquad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 07:14:50 pm
content: you mean cheaper than JBC, with sleep and similar performance?Hakko FX-951 has sleep mode functionality when used with the FH200-01 iron stand, about $260 in USwhy not a used JBC 2700, 2950 or 3000? those are JBC, the real McCoy

author: creyc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 07:25:17 pm
content: Cheaper is one aspect, also parts for example are MUCH easier to find for Hakko stations at least in the US.Also to be honest, I prefer Hakko, Weller and Metcal brands as I have much more experience with them. I may try a JBC but I'd just like to know what else out there performs similarly.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 08:20:29 pm
content: As far as I know, JBC is the only one that not only sleeps (they call it "Hibernate") after a long time (i.e., turns the heat completely off), but they actually power down to a low temperature every time you put the iron in the holder. This greatly extends the life of the tips. The JBC heats back up so quickly that you never notice it cooling down. It's pretty amazing, actually. The thermal recovery is better than Metcal, IMHO, and Metcal's pretty darn good.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 08:45:44 pm
content: weller stations have that sleep function aka setback, it keeps the temp at a set range when its in a holder what can switch of the tool you can set the timer between 1 and 60mins, or when placed into the holder its off autimatically

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 09:07:01 pm
content: I posted before in another thread that, personally, I don't think the Hakko or Weller units are comparable with the JBC/Metcal/Pace units. There is a night and day difference between a pencil tip (and a power supply that can adequately drive it) and a hand-grip iron like the Hakko or Weller units.The pencil tip is so much more accurate and precise, which is why all of the high end soldering units use those style handpieces.I have a Metcal MX-500, two Pace HW-100's and a Pace ST-70. My favorite is the Pace HW-100, which also happens to be the cheapest of the bunch. It does auto-sleep after a period of time but you can turn this feature off if you like. The HW uses the same tips as all the other Pace units, and those tips are cheap and last forever. My Metcal goes through a tip every 2-3 months whereas I use the Pace 10 times as often and I have the same tips in there from 6 years ago and they look as good as new. I haven't actually ever worn a Pace tip out despite tens of thousands of solder joints with them.The HW-100 series was apparently never that popular in the field so they are ridiculously cheap on the used (read: eBay) market. You can buy them for $75 used with the handpiece and a tip.I like my HW-100 more than my Metcal which cost 4 times as much.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 09:33:15 pm
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on November 04, 2013, 08:20:29 pmThat's a feature most professional soldering stations got. For example ERSA i-CON has a stand-by and power-off mode. The timer for both modes and the temperature for the stand-by mode can be set by the user. Recovery time from stand-by to active mode is about 3s.

author: quint
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 09:33:29 pm
content: I've used both the Hakko FX-951 and the Pace TD-100. They are both cartridge style irons and both are excellent. I haven't tried JBC or Metcal, etc so I can't give you a direct comparison. The sleep function in both the Pace and the Hakko is dependent on which stand you have. In the case of the Hakko, you can get a stand which has a mechanical switch which backs off the temperature when the iron is placed in the stand. The Pace TD-100 has an optional stand which has some non-mechanical sensor which puts the iron to sleep when it is in the stand. Note that this sleep mode keeps the iron below the melting point of solder so that oxidation rate is retarded. The iron is still hot so that it comes up to soldering temperature about as fast as you can get it out of the stand and over to your work.Also, this type of sleep mode is different from the auto-off feature which is built into many base units. That will turn off the heat completely after an extended idle period. That mode is intended to turn the iron off if you forgot to do it when you finished using it.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 09:39:43 pm
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on November 04, 2013, 09:07:01 pmHave you seenhttp://www.weller.de/products/product.php?pid=4766?

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 10:26:13 pm
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on November 04, 2013, 08:20:29 pmMy Hakko FM-203 can be set with a 0-second sleep time, so it cools to 200°C as soon as I put the iron back in the holder. It also has an auto power-off timer. I like the features and fast heat-up rates of the JBC stations, but their prices are pretty steep for hobby/personal use -- production use may be a different matter.

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 10:28:13 pm
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on November 04, 2013, 09:07:01 pmWhich model numbers?

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 10:59:35 pm
content: Nearly every modern Soldering-Station has this "Sleep"/"Auto-Off"-Mode. Some are clever constructions (JBC, newer Weller), some not (Pace, Hakko).I don't like it, and I'm not using it. (Maybe with a JBC, but I don't have one)

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 11:06:23 pm
content: Quote from: tsmith35 on November 04, 2013, 10:28:13 pmRegarding this post and the one 2 posts up - I edited my post (but it looks like the edits got lost). I know Weller and Hakko make some higher end units like the (IIRC) WXMP/Weller that incorporate a pencil tip... I was (unclearly in retrospect!) referring to the Hakko 888 and units like the Weller WTCPT and similar styles which have a much bulkier iron that, IMO, is in a different league than a pencil tip. People often recommend the Hakko 888 and the similarly sized Weller units, and I personally think it's a mistake to buy such a unit over a used Pace/Metcal or something else with a pencil tip. In my experience, it's like doing SMD work without magnification - you can do it, but once you try something like a mantis or stereo microscope, you'll wonder how you ever got on without it.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 11:08:48 pm
content: Also, regarding sleep timers, my Pace will go into reduced temperature mode after a few minutes of non-use, and it will turn off completely several minutes after that.IIRC, it's supposed to wake up out of sleep mode when you try to start soldering again, but it tends to be unreliable, leading you to have to cycle the power to get it to heat back up to full temp. You can also turn off the auto-sleep feature, which I keep thinking I should do.The Metcal does the same - goes into sleep mode (orange LED on base unit) after a few minutes, and also seems to be unreliable in waking up when you start soldering again.

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 11:47:47 pm
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on November 04, 2013, 11:06:23 pmThats a rather unfair comparison.The big difference of Hakko/Weller to the others is, they do have cheaper (old technology) stations. A JBC as "first Station" may be nice, but it's quite expensive. The Hakko 888 (I now only the 936, which is, as I learned here, the predecessor) is far from optimal, but it is a very decent Iron capable of doing >90% of the work. Here in Germany a JBC CD-2BC would cost you ~three times more than this 888 (and Hakko already has a stupid over-pricing here).I don't think you miss to much as a hobbyist.If you are into special whatever, the view maybe change.Also I don't think a hobbyist really needs these features like sleep-mode. It's not like at work, when the station is running 5 Days with 10 hours. My (private) tips last years. If one dies, I buy a new one... Killed maybe 3 over 15 years.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2013, 11:56:43 pm
content: Quote from: DL8RI on November 04, 2013, 11:47:47 pmBut you're kind of making my point for me...You can buy a used Metcal MX500 for $250 or so on eBay. You can buy a used Pace HW100 for $50-75 on eBay. I think those units are vastly superior to the "big handheld" units from Hakko/Weller - so much so that they are not even in the same league, IMO.I think a lot of people getting started on a budget would be hugely better off buying a used Pace HW100 for $50-75 than spending the same (or more) money on a new Hakko or Weller.I would say the same thing about something like a power supply. Someone would be better off buying a higher quality used unit than a brand new but not-as-good unit.I think many people likely haven't used a higher-end soldering station and don't know anything other than those big clunky Wellers, but once you try a nice pencil tip iron, you'll never go back. Sort of like once you try a digital PSU you'd never go back to a computer PSU again.Just my .02

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 12:03:27 am
content: Ah, used stuff... yea, that's another point.Of course then you are right.A used "real industrial" Station from whatever company is clearly superior to the cheepies made e.g. by Hakko (even if I don't see such a big gap between them). But that is also somewhat unfair, you can't compare prices of new equipment to used ones.But there I'm with you. I would always recommend to buy a used good-quality Tool instead of buying new crap like these ZDXXX-Stations.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 12:36:52 am
content: Ersa i-CONs have accelerometer in the iron, so it goes to sleep/wakes up from movement. There are no physical switches/contacts in the stand.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 01:16:56 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on November 04, 2013, 09:07:01 pmDepends on the model. Some of Weller's stuff uses pencil irons rather than chunks, and also offer the setback + timed off features (or instant off when the iron hits the stand).Quote from: DL8RI on November 04, 2013, 11:47:47 pmIt's not critical, but it's nice, particularly if there's any QC issues with the tips used.In the case of the Weller stuff I have, tip QC is spotty, and the optional stand that enables these features seems it may pay for itself in the long run (stand costs ~ that of 15x tips for the LT series, and 7x tips of NT series; stand works with either iron).

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 01:32:47 am
content: That's what soured me on Weller, and that's why I switched to Hakko. Seems like tips just went to crap around 2000 or so. They just started disintegrating.FWIW, some days I solder for 8 hours a day building up some of my products. The JBC is easily the most comfortable iron I've ever used.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 02:09:52 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on November 05, 2013, 01:32:47 amAt least for the LT series, Plato makes equivalents.

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 05:36:23 am
content: I'd put the Hakko FX-951 pretty much on par with the JBC CD-2BB, actually, it might be slightly better...I have no clue how the prices of the two, or the prices of the replacement tips compare though.This is first hand experience, using a soldering iron anywhere from 4-8 hours a day, 5 days a week!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 07:27:57 am
content: Quote from: AmmoJammo on November 05, 2013, 05:36:23 amBased on US pricing, the FX951 goes for $262.77, and tips for ~$15 per for simple profiles such as chisels. The JBC CD-2BC (replacement for the CD-2BB) goes for $428.75 and tips are ~$27 - 37 for simple profiles.Quite a difference in the US market at least.

author: AmmoJammo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 07:46:27 am
content: Quote from: nanofrog on November 05, 2013, 07:27:57 amWith that price difference, I'd almost certainly be going for the Hakko for home use, there just isn't enough difference in performance to even consider the JBC, and with Hakko tips costing half the price, if you ever need to solder 4ga cable to some 400amp alligator clips to make some jumper cables, you'll be a lot less worried about cranking the hakko to 450 degrees than you would with the JBC!Actually, I see no application where I'd choose the JBC over the Hakko, even for professional, or continuous daily use!

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 08:53:59 am
content: QuoteI had no issues at all with my LT-Tips until now. Maybe there were/are fakes around?If they really should start to play around with bad Tips, I'm going to ebay my WS81 and buy a JBC.As for improvement, I don't expect much. I used the FM-206 (has the same iron as the FX951)... and yes it was more modern, faster... but not THAT better.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 09:43:42 am
content: Quote from: DL8RI on November 05, 2013, 08:53:59 amAll of the Weller stuff I order comes from authorized distributors, so I doubt I ended up with fakes.I have recently seen some LT series equivalents out of China (here), but the packaging isn't trying to duplicate Weller/Apex's at all (have the LTL equivalent as well as a genuine Weller LTL to compare).Plato (Techspray) makes equivalents for some tip series as well that are quite decent (Mouser carries them).

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 10:20:25 am
content: I just ordered new LT-Tips at Farnell (had a order anyway). Let's see if I was just lucky the past years or if they have resolved the issue (which I hope, I really like the station without any µC-stuff). How long could you use one Tip?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 10:40:39 am
content: Quote from: DL8RI on November 05, 2013, 10:20:25 amVaried wildly.Some I had were useless after as few as 50hrs, others are still going. Most of them were able to be rejuvenated with their tip tinner/activator, couple with some elbow grease and a brass brush + tip tinner, and one the plating peeled while still in the package. I'm good about keeping it tinned, and not cranking temps (rarely exceed 600F). Figured the Stop-n-Go stand would help at lot, and seems to be helping. The new ones barely have any discoloration.Only had Japan and Bosnia for LT COO's, COO = Japan only for NT. NT have been problematic as well (included in above description), so it's not just the LT tips (at least these are cheaper). NT series runs me ~ $11 - 20 per, so those really pissed me off (just a dumb tip, not an AIO).

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2013, 12:58:29 pm
content: Quote from: DL8RI on November 05, 2013, 08:53:59 amWell, if you ever go to the JBC, you'll see a good bit of different. I've had an FP-102 for about 10 years, and outfitted my lab at my former "real" job with Hakko equipment (FM-203, FX-951 etc). I've also used Metcal over the years. I recently brought the JBC into my shop and it's at least as good as the Metcal...and actually, I think it's a little better. Hakko makes a nice iron, and I still use it. The JBC has become my daily iron, though.It's also the most comfortable iron I've ever used, and the grip doesn't get warm like the Hakko.

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 09:56:13 am
content: Hi,I'd expect the JBC to be better, the rocket-fast heatup-time is nice, the auto-sleep whenever you put the iron in the holder is a really cool feature.But it's not gonna be "double the price of my WS81" better, especially not in "every-day-soldering"-work.As said, if I notice a drop in the Tip-Quality (up to now my tips lasted >5 Years), i will go to JBC. Pace & Hakko are both a big "no".But I hope not, I really like my WS81, because it has no µC in it... I don't need 28 "Profiles", USB and all this stuff. When it comes down to it, that are just more components that can fail.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 01:27:13 pm
content: The reason I got the JBC in the first place is I screwed up when I made a batch of boards. I put a ground pour on both sides and I made the thermal reliefs WAY too big...I mean, they were huge. I don't know why I didn't catch that. Anyhow, it made soldering the ground connections extremely difficult. Well, I wasn't going to throw out 100 boards, so I figured I'd give the JBC a try. BIG difference. The JBC can dump a lot of heat into a joint.

author: creyc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 10:57:12 pm
content: I'm having a tough time finding affordable handpieces for the Pace HW-100, so I finally pulled the trigger on an FX-951 which I've wanted for a long time. The price ended up being the same or slightly less than what a Pace + new handpiece + tip would have amounted to.I used to use a Hakko FP-102 back in the day and really liked it, so I'm hoping this 951 will be similar. T15 tips are cheap and plentiful, too.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2013, 11:04:17 pm
content: Quote from: creyc on November 06, 2013, 10:57:12 pmI've used both extensively. The 951 is at least as nice as the 102. I bought the 102 about a month before they replaced it with the 951. Honestly, I prefer the simple, 4 temperature interface of the 102, but the 951 performance is GREAT. You won't be disappointed, plus I believe you get a sleep function with the 951...lacking on the 102.

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 07:15:55 am
content: Hi,yes it has a sleep function, but only if you use this extra cable from the holder to the station. And be careful to connect this cable probably, if not your station may die (no joke!).I killed a FM 206 by removing that stupid cable during operation. :/

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 07:42:02 am
content: Quote from: DL8RI on November 07, 2013, 07:15:55 amWould be interesting to see the true cause of this failure mode and come up with a fix.

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 08:04:55 am
content: Well, the micro Controller is dead. Therefore this unit is not really repairable.That's why I don't like soldering stations with a vast amount of digital stuff in them.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 10:57:19 am
content: Sounds like someone didn't protect the inputs on the chip and you zapped it.

author: creyc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2013, 02:24:12 pm
content: I understand you can't engineer out every possible scenario a user could put your consumer product in to potentially damage it but COME ON!It's pretty easy to assume that cables are going to be pulled over the course of the products life. Just assume it and design for it if you're trying to uphold the perception of a quality brand! I wonder if something else must have gone wrong at the same time to have such a disastrous outcome?

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2013, 01:38:08 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on November 07, 2013, 10:57:19 amThe signals go directly into some Comparator-IC before being processed in the µC, seems to connect via the switch a 1k pull-down(!) to the input. But I'm quite sure the µC died, because while not working (just random white pixels on the Display) it got really hot.But I didn't really investigate it. Maybe I do more, but I'm not sure if I want to publish it here. During the days of my activity here I got the feeling being not 150% pro Hakko is gonna "kill" you. Or at least the Fanboys are gonna make a voodoo-puppet...I don't want any flame-war, had that enough in other forums....

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2013, 08:44:01 am
content: Quote from: DL8RI on November 08, 2013, 01:38:08 amGotta wear asbestos underwear...Actually, the general feeling I've picked up around here is that the JBC/Metcal/Pace crowd is the most vocal. Hakko fans seems to be pretty mild.I'd certainly be interested in finding out how to protect the uC from becoming damaged due to unplugging a simple cord.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2013, 04:08:36 pm
content: The reason Hakko is so popular is because of their 936 station. That was really the first affordable, high performance station you could buy. You could by crap for less, and you could buy Weller, etc for more, but you couldn't buy anything under $100 that performed like a world class solder station until the 936 IMHO. Once you're into spending $300+, there's no clear winner anymore because it depends what you're doing.Have you spoken to Hakko about it? I'd like to know what killed it, to be honest. I'm sure they'd be interested in knowing what killed it too.

author: bingo600
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2013, 05:45:09 pm
content: This is my first induction station (90w) and also configurable sleep & pwr-off times.http://www.ebay.de/itm/Quick-Lotstation-202D-LCD-90W-48V-400kHz-ESD-RoHS-/281188466401orhttp://www.somersetsolders.com/product.php/1009/386/quick_202d_90w_soldering_stationA lot of cheap tips , all with dedicated thermocouple sensor built inhttp://www.somersetsolders.com/section.php/386/1/quick_202d_90w_soldering_stationA 120w is herehttp://www.ebay.de/itm/Quick-Lotstation-303D-LCD-120W-32V-400kHz-ESD-RoHS-/280857892578It has a magnet in the stand and sensor in the handpiece , and gives you configurable "low" temperature time , and when to shutdown fully.I think it's nice for the price./Bingo

author: daveshah
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 10, 2013, 10:48:53 am
content: My Yihua 898BD+ actually has auto sleep built in for the soldering iron - I am not sure if this uses a magnet and reed switch (like the hot air), or simply detects if there is no thermal loading on the iron for a certain amount of time.

author: kodai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2013, 11:45:33 pm
content: Quote from: creyc on November 06, 2013, 10:57:12 pmI used a FP-202 with a FP-101 as a secondary/backup station for years. Love'm both, and never had a problem. I needed to put a station at my uncle's place as I do some repair work and some projects for his business sometimes. So last year I almost bought the JBC CD-1, but decided on the FX-951 instead. I've used JBC and OKI/Metcal a number of times in the past as a field tech and think they are fantastic. But now as just a hobbyist I can't make myself spend a half grand on a tool when I already have parts for another line (i.e. tips, handle, upgraded sleeper stands and foam hand pieces). So the 951 was an obvious choice for me. Its a great station, and I know I made the right choice. The 102 got placed at my uncle's place and I kept the smaller 101 right where it is. The only flaw with the 951 is the constant beep every time you do something with it. Turn it on, beep. Change temps, beep. Swap tips, beep. Put in the stand, beep. Pull it out of the stand, beep. Somebody at Hako needs a good flogging over that damn beep. And every time the braded rope lays across their back, they should hear a beep.I think you will find the 951 (beeps aside), as excellent value for the money. Enjoy!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 01:10:32 am
content: Quote from: kodai on November 12, 2013, 11:45:33 pmI assume you've corrected the "beep" issue yourself by now (desolder or tape the hole over).

author: kodai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 02:19:31 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on November 13, 2013, 01:10:32 amI'm still debating what horrific torture to reign down upon the annoying little buzzer/speaker.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 03:05:47 pm
content: Quote from: kodai on November 13, 2013, 02:19:31 pmHmm...Time to channel your inner photonic induction.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 07:36:22 pm
content: Hot melt glue in the hole makes it almost inaudible.

author: kodai
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2013, 09:44:42 pm
content: I'm melting down a few pounds of lead into ingots in a couple weeks (to recast into.45 acp reloads for range practice when I need to restock), and might toss it into the mix. I'll just skim the slag off the top with the rest of the dross. I hate the little beeper, lol.

author: creyc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 01:11:16 am
content: That sounds like a particularly painful death by molten metal submersion!I had an IR thermometer that would beep VERY annoyingly whenever a button was pressed or measurement taken. Ended up just putting a piece of black (electrical) tape over the beeper which reduced the output to a very subtle and tolerable level.

author: tsmith35
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 06:46:06 am
content: Quote from: creyc on November 14, 2013, 01:11:16 amOh, I dunno... the terminator gave it a thumbs up.I'm glad the Hakko FM-203 has an option to turn off the beeper. It was the first thing I did when I received it.

author: gotvolts
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2013, 05:12:23 pm
content: I would spend the money on a new METCAL in my opinion.I've worked with wellers and a bunch of other ones for years until I purchased my own METCAL. I'll never go back.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 03:55:07 am
content: I just bought a new Weller WX station. I've used it for a day now and here's what I found. The pencil heats up from off to full temp in under 3 seconds. It has an accelerometer so going into standby does not have anything to do with the stand. The magnet in the stand is just there to help hold it in place. Lay it down on the bench and it will go into standby at your predetermined time. When you pick it up again it's ready to go in a couple of seconds. You can set any times and temp you want from the touch screen. The touch screen works great. They have both SMD pencils and different wattage irons available for it. The irons actually have a LED ring in the handle that will let you know if the tip drops below temp (settable parameter).The reason I bought this Weller now (I was going to buy the lower WD model or a JBC) is they have a special going on till the end of the year where if you buy a WX or WD station they will send you a free tool. Pretty much your choice of tools for it. I bought the WX2 controller with a pencil and stand. They are sending me a free set of $300 tweezers. If you can swing it you can buy just the WX1 power supply now for around $350 US and then choose any of the tools for it for free. That's not bad for a top of the line station.I used a JBC for a summer on a job and they are good and I was considering one but then I saw the deal on the Wellers.I had a Metcal last year for a couple of weeks. Quick to heat up but it would not always come out of sleep mode without turning it off and on again. It was a pain. That's why I got rid of it. Could have just been a bad unit but it was fairly new and someone else told me theirs had the same problem. I'm sure there will be many here that will say the Metcal is better but after using both, I have to say the Weller kicks ass.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 05:18:18 am
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 15, 2013, 03:55:07 amNice.Finally there's some value back in their products. Well, at least until the promo runs out.Hope you get years and years of great service out of it.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 01:04:57 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on November 15, 2013, 05:18:18 amActually even without the deal, the WX1 (single channel w/touchscreen) with an iron and stand is about $500. A comparable Metcal starts above $650 US. The WD series (Without the cool touchscreen and USB but still all the controls) is around $300 so that's pretty even with the other entry level stations and gives the same controls if not better than the higher Metcals. Price wise they are all pretty much in the same range. Even without the deal at this point I would still go for the Weller.Besides, the WX looks awesome. Nice big, easy to read display. Great for my old eyes. Not just a black box.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2013, 08:02:51 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 15, 2013, 01:04:57 pmI was thinking in terms of the WX1 + free iron & stand @ ~$350 vs. a JBC Compact @~$430. Extra $80 could be put towards a few tips. At full price, the JBC comes in cheaper, hence the value comment for a single port station just running an iron (separates do have an advantage with being able to run additional tools, which you were after). Tossing in 2x tips for free helps tip the scale in JBC's favor just that much more as well.There's also the variable tip quality that goes hand-in-hand with Weller lately (some good, had some the plating is shot in ~50hrs), so even if it is less expensive, it may cost more on consumables down the road. YMMV of course, but I consider consumables and particular tool selection as part of the decision process, and may change in favor of different companies depending on the specifics. But it seems that JBC has come in cheaper at more recent examinations (iron/s + tweezers + tip quality & selection).In some cases, there are alternative tip sources (Plato/Techspray; even seen Chinese clones from one eBay seller). Unfortunately, they don't make what you'd need though (nothing that's an AIO type, and only the more popular tip series).

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 01:13:42 am
content: I've not had enough experience with tips for these newer Weller stations yet. The MX SMD pencil tips cost but the iron tips are under $10. The cheaper Wellers I've seen lately are made in Mexico but the WX and WD series are made in Germany so my bet is the tips are fine. I've had a Weller WESD51 on the other bench for over a year now and that's been fine also. Still using the original tip which gets a lot of use and gets left on for long durations. Don't know where it was made as there is no country of origin marked on it.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 04:08:02 am
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 16, 2013, 01:13:42 amWeller's tips are made all over the place. LT series for example are made primarily in Bosnia (seen one from Japan). NT series is made in Japan. RT series are from Germany though, so I don't have direct experience (seen a review that indicated they bend FWIW; not sure if QC issue or improper use/abuse).Even their German made stations have had issues however (WD, WRM, & WX), and from my perspective, it's due to the rules regarding the "Made in Germany" qualification (20% content or significant transformation) that allow them to cut corners and still qualify.Mine for example (WD1), at least the power board was manufactured by an OEM in Asia.Pics of mine can be found here. Other threads cover the issues.It's not garbage by any means, nor am I looking to dump mine. But Weller isn't what it once was in regard to reliability or QC, tips included IME, and are being bested by the competition as a result.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 05:00:10 am
content: I think it's a given that nobody's station is going to last 30 years at this point. There's more to them now than an on/off switch and heater and a heck of a lot more to fail. I haven't had any tip problems with any of mine but I'm only using the PT, ET, and now the RT tips. I never buy tips on ebay as there are fakes all over the place. Don't use sponges anymore either.

author: DL8RI
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2013, 10:30:31 am
content: They seem to have changed their Tip-Manufactoring lately. At least my new LT-Tip (ordered at Farnell last week, produced 7/13) looks a little bit different from the other ones i bought the years before, e.g. it has the Weller-Logo printed on it.I hope for the best, has been used two times until now and has seen probably ~10 hours of heat (300-350°C). I will have a sharp eye on it and will report here if something happens.