Metcal Talon question - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 10:49:27 am
content: I have been seeking a second-hand Talon tool for my MX500 unit for years but they are a very rare find.I have been mulling over fabricating or printing a tweezer tool and wondered how the two cartridges connect electrically? In parallel?I assume that the Talon cartridges are not interchangeable with the standard STTC wands as they must be of a lower power consumption. Metcal list them separately.I have several MX500 units so at worst I could run each cartridge from its own PSU and use standard cartridges in the DIY tweezer.BT

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 11:03:45 am
content: They're wired in series, the tips have two pins. I think there are some components in the handle.TBH I find tweezer tools like this to be of limited use, as because the tips only move in one direction and have no springy compliance, you have to hold it at exactly the right angle to get good thermal contact, which can be awkward.I find it much, much easier and quicker to use two normal irons, one in each hand.As SMD removal is fairly undemanding power-wise, for a homebrew setup you could probably wire two handpieces in parallel on one PSU

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2024, 09:17:20 pm
content: For small components I disagree with Mike, nothing will beat a hot tweezer for picking up 0402/0603's and swapping them around, etc.For large components, don't know I haven't used them for that yet. Maybe two irons is fine.Anyway, plenty of talons on ebay so I'm not sure why you are saying they are rare:https://www.ebay.com/itm/116249721514$115.There are also the following options, but more oriented at small smd parts:- Thermaltronics TZ-KIT-1 (SHP-MTZ) $180/$260- Metcal MX-PTZ- Metcal CV-H4-PTZ- Hakko FX1003 $170/250If you were to DIY something, the thermaltronics H70 tips are fairly small and cheap ($11) so could be an option. Equivalent to hakko T31.

author: exmadscientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2024, 06:19:17 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on August 09, 2024, 09:17:20 pmBe warned that these are fairly crap. They're just clunky and I struggle to do even 0603s with them, when 0402s are trivial with other tweezers (JBC Nano).

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2024, 03:12:03 am
content: Thanks for the replies.THM_W: The used handpieces are available in the US but invariably the sellers won't ship outside the states. Australia is a bit of a wasteland for used tools.Mike: This was prompted by the prospect of removing 57 x 1206 resistors. I can't use a hot air gun as they are tight up against plastic parts. I am confident of soldering the replacements with paste and a single fine tip.I will have a look at the Thermaltronics H70s.Regards, BT

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2024, 10:47:16 pm
content: Quote from: BurningTantalum on August 11, 2024, 03:12:03 amYou can use a re-shipper service if the seller only ships to USA.For 1206 (3.3mm) and below, some of the smaller handpieces might work better, if you get large enough tips.Though it can be done:

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2024, 06:59:04 am
content: It seems that the FX-100 drive frequency is 13.56Mhz so the Thermaltronics H70 series tips could be a possibility for a DIY tweezer driven from a Metcal MX500 (I have a couple of spare PSUs if they need modding.)Thanks all, BT