Salas, your (and mine) Metcal PS-900 soldering station with standard SFV tips has about 390C, I measured it. But unlike ceramic heater, variable temperature soldering station (all others) PS-900 has constant temperature but variable power output by design of inductive RF heater. When you touch the lead of small resistor output power is 12w but with say heatsink pin on groundplane it is near the maximum of 60w. Conventional irons always have the same declared power so 390c is too high. It is always better to use short, blunt and wide soldering iron tips than to increase temperature.
In my experience, with good tip selection for each type of work, there are almost no difference between lead and no lead soldering.
In a video, I have seen an American guy retailing all brands in a main soldering equipment company saying that the 900 can peak at 90W briefly even.
He was claiming that is why Metcal does not highlight the power spec because its dynamic. About temperature setting, the industry don't seem to refer in relation to power though. They talk solder wire and flux specific needs. It would just have to do with being quicker on the job when the power is excessive and/or using a finer tip I guess.
Lead-free Hand Soldering
Attachments
did some solder work on a bass guitar today
its a real joy to use
sometimes I find it convenient to solder with left hand
feels very easy and natural with this iron
I left it on for a bit longer this time
it went into stand by mode at 250degr
and to get it up to full power at 360degr was like a blink of an eye
very nice
Photos are in order I guess. I did not recommend you a Metcal but the Ersa instead because the entry PS900 is almost double the money and I know that 90% of people understand better having temperature control and a screen. It also has a smaller iron and slimmer tips, more fine for hobby work than industrial. I wish you enjoy it.
yes
considering it takes only a second to get it on full power, I would like it to go in stand by mode much faster
maybe just in a matter of seconds only
I like to avoid the tip turning blue like it does now
or something else might be adjustable to deal with that
need to visit a friend to ask if he has a micro SD card
yes, and with a few other options for professional production
like being lockable so that other can't use it, or change settings
adjusted temperature down to 350degr instead of 360
tip does not turn blue now
and since I bought solder with sharp 180degr melting pointt ...
being 1.2mm seems still ok as well
says Sn62 LMP
I suppose its lead solder with 60% tin, 2% silver, 38% lead, and low melting point(LMP)
(and I suppose it points at eutectic)
its gone from suppliers list
and seem difficult to find specs now
No.
You need to read the other constituents.
I can confirm that 62 Sn, 36Pb 2Ag is a eutectic melting/solidifying @ 179°C
Whereas 63 Sn, 37 Pb is a eutectic melting/solidifying @ 183°C
Solder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Note the warning for 3% silver (cracking)
Note also that 1% Cu is euctectic, whereas 2% Cu is not eutectic.
Wharton sell 2% Cu, but not 2% Ag.
You need to read the other constituents.
I can confirm that 62 Sn, 36Pb 2Ag is a eutectic melting/solidifying @ 179°C
Whereas 63 Sn, 37 Pb is a eutectic melting/solidifying @ 183°C
Solder - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Note the warning for 3% silver (cracking)
Note also that 1% Cu is euctectic, whereas 2% Cu is not eutectic.
Wharton sell 2% Cu, but not 2% Ag.
Last edited:
I've been following this thread because my cheapo soldering station died after nearly a decade of use (one of these: Deluxe Soldering Station from Circuit Specialists except with a digital display). I was going to buy another cheap Chinese knock-off but this thread got me looking at higher end stations. ERSA isn't available here in the US, I didn't like any of the Hakko or Weller irons that I could afford, and JBC was right out of my price range. Eventually I found a nice Metcal PS-900 at a reasonable price. I got it from HMC Electronics (I'm not affiliated, but they had the best price and very fast shipping). It arrived yesterday so I had to test it out. The packaging is very plain, but professionally wrapped. That's a big plus in my book - companies that care about performance and aren't trying to sell you based on the box. The power station is small - smaller than my previous iron. The handle is smaller and easy to hold, the tips can be changed remarkably easily and quickly and it heats up in seconds. The stand is good, but requires a bit more care to insert the iron. The iron in use is great - the best I've ever used, although that's not saying much. By the time I've taken it out of the stand and moved the tip into place, it's at full temperature. It stays right at the set temperature (although I haven't tested it with anything that really soaks up heat yet) and the thin handle, fairly short heating element, and silicone cord make for good ergonomics. I'm very happy with this purchase - I know I'll get plenty of mileage out of it and the fast turn-on makes it so much more convenient to do quick repairs and touch-ups.
- Status
- This old topic is closed. If you want to reopen this topic, contact a moderator using the "Report Post" button.