Opinion - Best Soldering Station for (Fast) Hand Made Production ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SimonD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2016, 07:18:47 am
content: Hi,As the title says, which is the best value for money choice for a soldering station for hand made production (THT Components) ?Also stable temperature feedback, fast job (soldering proccess), robust construction, Wattage and this in a logic price for the station and the consumables.Until now i use some Weller WS 51 and Magnastat but they are not so fast and the tips aren't so "long life" as Weller says. Both are 50W.I also have and a wave soldering bath that is great but is not so practical for small production.Thanks in advance for your opinions!Simon.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2016, 07:21:48 am
content: If you can afford it the Thermaltronics TMT-9000s kicks the pants off everything else i've used.(not that i have tried everything on the market)http://www.thermaltronics.com/tmt-9000s.php

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2016, 11:03:00 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on May 18, 2016, 07:21:48 amThat looks interesting. I like how thin and light the handle looks to be.What does it mean that the power supply is 13.56 MHz?What does the LCD show?As an aside, they say they're the only ones to use Curie point technology, but the soldering iron I've been using for the past several decades, the Weller WTCP-L, uses that method.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 06:33:17 am
content: I have tried most of them and for production work, I keep coming back to Pace. I also have Metcal but it's sitting on the shelf now, and hasn't been used in forever.The things I like about Pace-Hand piece of super light and comfortable to hold-Heats up very quick (power on to soldering in maybe 3-5 seconds)-Lots of different tips to choose from-Tips are cheap, especially compared to Metcaland the #1 thing is that the tips last forever. I don't think I have never ever had a tip fail, and I couldn't even begin to count the number of connections I have soldered with some tips. It would have to be millions at this point. We use these stations all day every day. My Metcal tips would disintegrate quickly. They would either get a nick in the plating or something and as soon as it was compromised, the tip would just erode away to nothing in a matter of a few days.I have a few different Pace stations but they all use the TD-100 handpiece. It's awesome. It seems every Youtuber uses those giant Hakko POS things. I am so spoiled with pencil wands, I can't understand how anyone can use those giant clunky things. It's like shaving with a machete all your life until someone hands you a Gillette Mach 3. It's night and day.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 07:30:33 am
content: Quote from: billfernandez on May 18, 2016, 11:03:00 pmYeah, its nice to hold.I'm not 100% sure on the exact reason for 13.56mhz, but it's quite common on upmarket soldering stations. It has something to do with how the tip temp is monitored and regulated. (The tip sets the temp, so you do need to change it if, for some reason, you need a different temp. eg lead vs no lead solder).Note: This may sound annoying but the iron responds so instantly to thermal mass changes when you touch it to something that it instantly brings the object up to solder temp. So you no longer need to 'crank your iron up to 430C' for heavy soldering like you do on a normal soldering station.The LCD shows a bargraph of the thermal loading. Basically how much power is being used to keep the tip at its rated temperature. I've yet to see it get above 55%, even soldering some pretty large stuff.

author: harry4516
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 07:31:30 pm
content: it look very similar to my METCAL MX-500, maybe its almost the same.I can recommend it, its the best soldering iron I ever had.

author: m98
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 10:46:23 pm
content: I'm very happy with the Ersa I-con 1. Fast heat up time, nice soldering Iron and more than enough power. It's an enlightment compared to some Weller and no-name stations that I've used before. Don't have the comparison to Metcal or Thermaltronics, though.

author: joseph nicholas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2016, 11:16:43 pm
content: What the fuck? What is a Curie point? This must be some desperate attempt at gender equality in electronics.

author: exmadscientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 04:50:50 am
content: Quote from: joseph nicholas on May 22, 2016, 11:16:43 pmIt's arather well-established physical phenomenon. (And it's attributed to Pierre, not Marie, for what that's worth.) Personally I think its use by Metal in soldering irons was nothing short of brilliant engineering.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 06:35:50 am
content: Quote from: Psi on May 19, 2016, 07:30:33 am13.56 MHz is the only allowed frequency in that region of the spectrum. Seehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISM_band

author: stmdude
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 02:13:57 pm
content: Best _value for money_ ?Ask someone that has been at an assembly-line in China. You can bet your arse that those guys have figured that equation out.Somehow, I don't think it's PACE or MetCal.. I'd venture a guess at Quick though. Not in the same league as PACE or MetCal, but they sure get the job done. My QUICK202D has soldered everything I've thrown at it without hesitation or slow-downs, and the consumables are cheap.I'm sure there's a bunch of people here at the forum that have seen a TH line in China that can give you definitive answer.

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2016, 02:56:41 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on May 19, 2016, 07:30:33 amI recently saw another soldering iron claiming that it used induction heating and operated at 13.56mhz. So maybe induction heating is the answer.

author: billfernandez
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2016, 03:04:24 pm
content: OP: I'm in the process of preparing to do surface mount hand soldering and rework for the first time, and just placed an order for this station:https://www.howardelectronics.com/smd-rework/smd-rework-stations/xytronic/lf-853dtp/lf853dtp-5-in-one-lead-free-digital-soldering-desoldering-and-hot-air-rework-station-with-tweezers-and-small-hot-air-pencil/Not having received it I cannot say how well it works. The only review I could find for Xytronic products was a YouTube video of someone saying he'd just replaced his 20-year-old Xytronic soldering station with a new one, and that he was happy with both.What I liked about the station I ordered is that for a very reasonable price ($525USD) I could get a wide assortment of tools: soldering iron, vacuum-assisted desoldering iron, hot air pencil, desoldering tweezers, etc. This way I can learn how to use a variety of techniques, and upgrade later to more expensive equipment if this station turns out to be less than satisfactory.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 04:27:44 pm
content: Quote from: billfernandez on May 24, 2016, 02:56:41 pmMetcal and Thermaltronics both use the 13.56MHz induction Curie Point tech (Hakko has one as well, but the frequency isn't stated). BTW, the 13.56MHz frequency is what the SMPS outputs. Most soldering equipment uses linear PSU designs (transformers), that output the same frequency as mains (50 or 60Hz, depending on power grid).BTW, Thermaltronics was started by some ex-Metcal engineers when the patents expired.When the Metcals first came out, they did lead in performance. But that's since changed, as other manufacturers have caught up, if not surpassed Metcal's performance. Hakko's FX-951 is at least on par if not better (GreyWoolfeowns both the Hakko and a Metcal). Weller's caught up since the WD series IME, and JBC outperforms Metcal & Thermaltronics (don't know anyone with a Hakko FX-100).That doesn't make Metcal or Thermaltronics junk by any means (they're still highly useful for hand rework production, as the operators can't screw with the temps <= good process control>). Same goes for the new Hakko FX-100 or any other station that uses this tech.Quote from: billfernandez on May 24, 2016, 03:04:24 pmFWIW, I'm not a fan of all-in-one units like that. The reasoning behind it is thus:If one breaks, you lose the ability to use anything else (i.e. can't use one of the others to fix the broken one).Going with separates allows you to customize what you get. For example, the iron is typically used most often, so you'd want to put most of your budget there (performance + ergonomics). And since the hot air and desolder units aren't used as frequently, you can get units appropriate to your frequency of usage (this way you don't over-buy).In my case, I've a couple of different irons that attach to aWeller WD1(WSP80+WMP+switched stand+ various tips). My hot air station is aQuick 861DW, and desoldering is done by hand (wick & manual desolder pump). To put cost into perspective, I spent ~3x on the Weller gear vs. the hot air station. Manual desolder pump ~$20, and wick is ~$3 per 5' roll.Granted, I spent more than your Xytronics, but you don't have to spend that much to still get excellent performance. For example, theFX-951can be had for $236.49* (even though it uses cartridge tips, the common profiles run ~$11 - $15 each). Add this to the Quick 861DW, and you're in under $500, with better performance (both of these units are truly professional models, not toys).As per tips, you can put together a set of 5 that will do pretty much anything you'll ever run into, regardless of make or model.3x chisels; 1.6mm, 2.4mm, and 3.2mm (these cover both SMD sizes that can be easily done by hand, as well as PTH)1x bent chisel (good for SMD passives + removing bridges from SMD IC packages)1x hoofor1x dedicated drag soldering tip @ 3.0 - 3.2mm for either shape (the hoof can be used as a more general purpose tip + drag soldering, while the dedicated drag tip makes that method go even easier)Hakko's Tip Selection pagemight be of some use.* This is before the 6% discount they offer to EEVBlog members.

author: JuKu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 12:57:29 pm
content: Good post. I'd add another tip to the collection: The smallest and sharpest tip that the manufacturer offers. Sometimes you want to lift up a single pin of a 0.5 pitch part, get a hair of copper to a single pin of an SMD resistor array and so on.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 02:01:21 pm
content: Quote from: JuKu on June 01, 2016, 12:57:29 pmI find my bent conicals works well for that (Weller LT1LX & NT1X). That said, YMMV with other brands as the point may be too rounded.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:09:42 am
content: Quote from: Psi on May 19, 2016, 07:30:33 amThere is a narrow channel at 13.56MHz where you can radiate quite a lot of energy without a licence and without complaint. That's because it is the frequency globally allocated for use by most smart card systems.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2016, 09:40:49 pm
content: I do not recommend JBC, their tips oxidize quickly. If there was a purchase i made over last couple years that i regret i made, that was buying a JBC.Recently i visited a industrial expo and came across a PACE soldering station. In an instant i realized why it is used by pros and in production. If i will ever buy another station that is going to be PACE.

author: Capa-Alpha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2016, 08:41:07 pm
content: I've used a host of high-end production stations.Metcal - excellent recovery, but not temperature controlled. To change the tip temperature (which is never stated), you have to buy the same geometry tip for each temp range. So you buy a US$30 tip for the "600" series (supposedly 600°F tip temperature but more likely runs at 675°F), and if you need a higher temperature, you buy an additional "700-Series" tip (supposedly running at 700°F, but mine ran close to 800°F) for $30! Very expensive, and their tips do not last long enough. The tips heated up fast and were great with thermally challenging lead-free boards.Thermaltronics - called Easy Braid in the US. This is almost an exact clone of the Metcal. Story is the ex-President of Metcal set up the Chinese production line in the late 90's. He left Metcal and set up Thermaltronics in Australia when Metcal's key patents ran out, bringing along the China-based ex-Metcal Production/Manufacturing Manager along with him. So the product and tips are almost identical, although the Thermaltronics tips cost less. Still, same problem I have with Metcal: no real temperature control and tips cost much higher than the Pace tips I currentlyHakko - I will not use the old 936's. I've been spoiled. But I like their FX-951 (about US$275) series with tip cartridges but tips are not quite as powerful as Metcal's. Then again, they are not anywhere near as expensive (about US$16-20). Changing the tips is kind of clunky and I have burned myself doing it. Also, the front panel interface is kind of weird to change the temperature, much like an old alarm clock of the 80's.Pace ST-50 - This is my favorite production soldering station for many reasons. The tip-heater cartridges are easy to replace and can be changed within 2 seconds, hot or cold. The tips are pretty cheap (US$10 for the single point tips) when compared to JBC (super expensive) or Metcal (about US$26-36). The tips last a LONG time - my unit has an instant-setback toolstand that automatically lowers the temperature when you place it in the stand when not in use. Thus, the tip is not burning up in the stand and can last much longer, especially useful if you use lead-free solder, which will KILL your tips! The temperature control is superb, and you simply scroll the temperature up or down to change (range from 500°F - 850°F/260°C - 454°C) and they are very accurate, probably within 15°C at set temperature. I like the fact that I can change the temperature on the fly under a microscope, without looking if I have to. There are over 100 tips available that fit, many surface mount rework/removal tips, plus there is an optional thermal tweezer handpiece available for picking off chip component in seconds. It's pricey (about US$300 each), but much less than Metcal/Thermaltronics/JBC (all of these cost over $400) solder stations. The money you'll save in tips will make up any difference fast, especially if you have multiple people hand-soldering a lot. Definitely my favorite iron. Here's a link:http://www.paceworldwide.com/products/soldering-stations/digital-control-soldering-systems/st-50-digital-soldering-station-with-td100