Easy Braid/Thermaltronics EB2000S rebate! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2014, 03:01:03 am
content: For those on a market for a Metcal- like system, Easy Braid aka Thermaltronics has a buy 3 get 2 free deal. I stumbled on the rebate form on Digikey:This is their 470kHz system compatible with the likes of Oki PS-900 and MFR-1100/2200. Digikey lists them at around $200 (see for ex EB1350-ND, but there are several configurations depending on tips types), so for $600 you get 5 stations. Not a bad deal IMHO, plus you can use EasyBraid, Thermaltronics or Metcal tipshttp://media.digikey.com/pdf/Other%20Related%20Documents/EasyBraid/EB2000S_Rebate.pdf"Purchase 3 EB2000S soldering systems and receive 2 free when you return the rebate form below.Complete ALL FIELDS on the form with your contact information.Email completed form WITH a copy of your distributors sales invoice. The invoice must be datedbetween April 15- July 15th, 2014"

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 06:03:48 pm
content: What's it look like inside?Where's the temp adjustment? I guess it's fixed.

author: gaijin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 06:48:57 pm
content: Looks like the temp is set by the tip you use.Blue 325-358CYellow 350-398CRed 420-475C

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 06:51:19 pm
content: QuoteThis can be problematic.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 07:59:04 pm
content: Quote from: gaijin on April 17, 2014, 06:48:57 pmInteresting. How's that implemented? Each one has more/less material to give higher/lower resistance?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 08:01:22 pm
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on April 17, 2014, 07:59:04 pmThese are not resistive heating elements. They're RF induction, and a specially picked alloy is used to absorb the energy. The curie temperature of the alloy is the maximum temperature.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 08:06:53 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on April 17, 2014, 08:01:22 pmI see now. Do the METCALs operate the same? I presume so. I like the size of the iron on these but my iron's just fine and I don't need 5.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 08:09:57 pm
content: Quote from: GiskardReventlov on April 17, 2014, 08:06:53 pmYes. As far as I know, the Thermaltronics units are functionally identical and actually designed by the same team.

author: GiskardReventlov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2014, 02:04:17 am
content: Quote from: Monkeh on April 17, 2014, 08:09:57 pmSounds like these are good quality then. Maybe a good buy for an ebay entrepreneur.

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2014, 09:59:31 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on April 17, 2014, 08:09:57 pmYes Thermaltronics was founded by some ex-Metcal employees once the original Metcal patents expired a few years ago.Easy Braid solder stations are just re-badged Thermaltronics and primarily sold at Digi-Key.http://www.thermaltronics.comhttp://www.easybraidco.com/hand-solderingThermaltronics/EasyBraid is cross compatible with Metcal/Oki, so you can use tips from one manufacturer in the hand piece of another. And even use a hand piece from one manufacturer with the power supply of another.But there's different series from each manufacturer. The most expensive series operate at 13.56 MHz, while the cheaper on ones operate at 470 KHz. So make sure to always buy accessories/replacement parts for the correct series regardless of what brand you buy from.Thermaltronics to Metcal Tips Cross Referencehttp://www.thermaltronics.com/references.phpEasyBraid to Metcal Tips CrossReferencehttp://www.easybraidco.com/cross-references.php?competitor=4The RF soldering technology used, patents etc. are discussed is thisDIY Metcal 13.56 MHz RF Supplytopichttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/diy-metcal-13-56-mhz-rf-supply/150/Based on this topic you can build you own 13.56 MHz power supply compatible with the high end hand pieces and tips from both Oki/Metcal and Thermaltronics/EasyBraid.Or even if you don't want to build you own, you can just read the topic to learn a lot about how this unique Metcal RF solder station technology works and how the tip temperature is kept constant.

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 01, 2014, 01:47:34 am
content: I can now confirm the rebate does work- we bought some stations at work from Digikey and received the rebate ones directly from EasyBraid. Not the top of the line MX500/5000 type but still very capable stations. They even have a microswitch in the holder that shuts off power whenever the handle is placed there. Seems to work pretty well so far.

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2014, 07:58:26 am
content: Quote from: 3roomlab on May 01, 2014, 02:07:38 amNo, Thermaltronics was founded by some ex-Metcal/OKI employees once the original Metcal patents expired a few years ago. I think they were just waiting for the patens to expire before launching their Thermaltronics brand.http://www.thermaltronics.com.auQuoteMetcal on the other hand was merged with OK Industries in 1996.

author: AndersAnd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2014, 11:17:28 am
content: If anyone is looking for Thermaltronics/EasyBraid hand soldering equipment, EasyBraid is also sold by Amazon of all, but only from their US sitehttp://www.amazon.comAmazon only sell the top series EB9000 though.I haven't seen it sold branded as EasyBraid anywhere else than by Digi-Key and Amazon US.But before deciding on what Metcal/Themltronics/EasyBraid solder station series to buy, do note that the most expensive series has much wider selection of special purpose tips that the lower end series where only more generic tips are available.

author: bombledmonk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2014, 08:35:48 pm
content: Quote from: AndersAnd on May 01, 2014, 11:17:28 amThat's primarily because Metcal threatens to pull their line from any distributor that carries Easybraid irons and tips. Mostly smaller specialized distributors sell Metcal product and the risk of getting a highly profitable line pulled isn't worth it for carrying the competition. DK 'used' to have Metcal....