Metcal questions - cartridges and power saving stand. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: d0ss
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2012, 04:27:55 am
content: I've recently upgraded from a cheap Aoyue soldering station to a couple of Metcal stations PS2V-02 (RFG-30) and MX-500. I liked the first Metcal so much I needed a spare as I can't see me going back, anywho the questions.1) Has anyone compared the Thermaltronics cartridges to the Metcal ones?I found some iffy looking videos on Youtube promising better thermal recovery and heat up times from the Thermaltronics cartridges but I'd like to hear from anyone that has actually used and compared them. There was a post from Mike (Mike's electric stuff) saying Thermaltronics had sent him some cartridges after calling them chinese knock-offs. He did say he would do a review but I've not found it, I guess they may have never turned up / he never got the time/inclination to do it. Although I think buying up cheap Metcal cartridges on eBay when they turn up could be a better idea.2) Has anyone noticed increased tip life due to the power saving stands or is the feature annoying?I guess the magnets saturate the core in the tip and stop the transformer from absorbing RF? Unfortunately this isn't something I'm clued up on but I'm wondering if I could rig up some magnets myself to the old work stands. I'm not sure if there are any repercussions in doing this.Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

author: grenert
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2012, 05:55:30 am
content: I've got an older Metcal like you. I was forgetting to turn off the power supply, so I decided to upgrade to the newer handpiece and power saver stand. The new stand is better in that you can have the sponge and the copper wool at the same time, and there are slots in back to place tips when not in use. The down side is that the new stand is more plasticky and lightweight, but it seems durable enough. There is a delay of a few seconds when you take it out of the stand (more like 10 seconds the very first time you use it), but it's not too bad. The advantage of not having burned up solder and resin on the tip makes the tradeoff acceptable for me. It's easier to keep the tip tinned.I get most of my tips from dealers with new-old-stock on ebay. I tried buying some used tips cheap, but they were of spotty quality and overall not worth the price savings. Never tried Thermaltronics tips.

author: d0ss
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2012, 11:22:47 pm
content: Quote from: grenert on October 31, 2012, 05:55:30 amThanks for the response, did you purchase the new ultra fine hand piece or the new standard sized one? I had been eyeing up the ultra fine model.I hadn't planned on buying second hand cartridges on eBay not sure what abuse they've been through, like you said new-old-stock comes up fairly regularly and are usually cheaper than the Thermaltronics counterpart.I think I may have to just go ahead and buy a Thermaltronics tip, I'm looking for a STTC-817 the high heat (450C) will probably be a good test. Oddly I never changed the tip on my old station probably due to the hassle, but it is something I do with the Metcal almost every time I use it.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2012, 11:43:59 pm
content: The Thermaltronics cartridges I got are fine - I can't see any performance or lifetime difference, although their version of my favorite SMTC-1147 has a sharper edge, which I find is better for getting into the corners when reworking QFNs.One thing I find annoying with the PS stand is that on big tips like long blades there is a noticeable heat-up lag - it would be better if there was an option to flip the magnet out of the way (in a way that makes it obvious it's disabled) when using big tips. The power display on the MX5000 at least tells you when it's ready.The newer smaller handpieces supplied with the MX5000 are a slight improvement ( although the rubber wears out). Not sure how worthwhile the micro-fine stuff is - I've never found the standard one too big.If you got the fine you'd certainly want it as well as, not instead of the standard one.

author: d0ss
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2012, 01:21:23 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on October 31, 2012, 11:43:59 pmTa for the input, you're probably the reason I bought a Metcal a bit of googling for Metcal information certainly brings your name up a lot. The amount of recommendations from you should probably earn you a commission.I'll probably not replace the 2 old hand pieces I have then. They're working good for the moment - 1 has a suspiciously weak feeling cable near the iron end and doesn't look like it will be a easy job to repair if/when it breaks.I can see me buying a power saving stand though as I always seem to leave the station powered on. Always getting told off at work for that as well, yet I still do it. Guess I'm preoccupied finding out if I've fixed the thing in question.