Good solder station?

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Salas

Salas

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Fenris said:
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.
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Congratulations. Metcal remains a great iron even at the 470kHz PS900 affordable level. The entry to the stand is narrow diameter because it creates a short to the induction for engaging auto sleep and needs be tight. More of a nest than a rest. Takes some getting used to indeed.
 
T

tinitus

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not sure, I don't think they use the same iron
appears like the i-tool nano is smaller, and completely new design
but looks like i-tool nano and i-tool both use the same i-tool tips

btw, I'm still very satified with my Pico station, it's just a sweet tool
I have it in permanently in my living room
and you hardly notice it at all
very discrete design

but appears it does not shut off completely by itself if forgotten
only goes down on very low stand by
could be because the on/off switch is ordinary manual switch
 
Salas

Salas

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tinitus said:
roughly $200 ;)

I-CON PICO - ERSA - SOLDERING STATION, 80W, 240V, | Farnell Ireland
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Its the same 80W station and tool to the more expensive Icon Nano, the differences are: A. Pico is not built to ESD safety spec B. Pico's tray is lighter/cheaper. By the way, ESD safety is not working by the station alone, it nulls if you are not grounded yourself with a wrist strap and the bench mat too through a conductive backing.

unboxing station de soudage pro ersa icon nano ! - YouTube
 
dirkwright

dirkwright

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Joined 2011
Salas said:
Its the same 80W station and tool to the more expensive Icon Nano, the differences are: A. Pico is not built to ESD safety spec B. Pico's tray is lighter/cheaper. By the way, ESD safety is not working by the station alone, it nulls if you are not grounded yourself with a wrist strap and the bench mat too through a conductive backing.

unboxing station de soudage pro ersa icon nano ! - YouTube
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Aw man, you don't have to worry about static electricity!!

Just make sure the humidity in your work space is above 50% (like a basement), or alternatively, wet your hair before you work.... Really, this is what a lot of pro's do! I used to visit an avionics repair and calibration facility and they had humidifiers there. The hair thing I read about somewhere else...
 
Salas

Salas

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dirkwright said:
So, what's wrong with good American iron, like a heavy duty industrial PACE?!?!

Who wants a soldering station that looks like an iPod or something? For the real men out there, get a monster PACE!!! <gggg>
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Vs. PACE I would think that the Fisher Price like Hakko has the advantage of price and bench space economy. But industrial PACE ain't same category, Hakko FX is serious hobbyist category. They got pricier ones for that. JBC is better than those if going for some pro level iron anyway IMHO.
 
dirkwright

dirkwright

Member
Joined 2011
Salas said:
Vs. PACE I would think that the Fisher Price like Hakko has the advantage of price and bench space economy. But industrial PACE ain't same category, Hakko FX is serious hobbyist category. They got pricier ones for that. JBC is better than those if going for some pro level iron anyway IMHO.
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I can't believe the prices they want for those big PACE soldering stations on eBay! They show a piece of gear that looks like it came out of a pile of junk, and they want $250 for it!!!! I swear, people must be smoking crack on eBay these days.... :mad:
 
G

GLooP

Member
Joined 2011
Ordered the nano yesterday from Germany, EUR 177. Ersa seem to apply some weird floor prices to distributors making their products bear insane margins. Talked to a rep that told me the nano is close enough to i-con one, except power and electronics, to make the price difference losing sense for hobby work. Thanks all, will report once I receive it :)

On the mat and bracelet thing: I'm planning on a diy solution - aluminium foil over rubber insulation with 1 megaohm resistor to ground plus commercially available bracelet. Should this work? A good mat is like 70 EUR. Also - my mains power lacks a true ground - is this much of a problem?
 
Salas

Salas

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If you are not working on iPhone and the like in dry air conditions but you mainly do analogue audio don't be afraid of static 99% of the time. The spec for ESD safe irons is less than 5 Ohm from tip to true mains ground. Their cases and plastics are antistatic too. Nano is all those things, Pico isn't.
 
Salas

Salas

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Joined 2002
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dirkwright said:
I can't believe the prices they want for those big PACE soldering stations on eBay! They show a piece of gear that looks like it came out of a pile of junk, and they want $250 for it!!!! I swear, people must be smoking crack on eBay these days.... :mad:
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The FX's tray is metal BTW and Alu base unit too no matter the toy story looks. Not bad at less than $100.
 
Turbon

Turbon

Member
Joined 2011
Salas said:
If you are not working on iPhone and the like in dry air conditions but you mainly do analogue audio don't be afraid of static 99% of the time. The spec for ESD safe irons is less than 5 Ohm from tip to true mains ground. Their cases and plastics are antistatic too. Nano is all those things, Pico isn't.
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I still have to experience any trouble just putting the board on the workbench and work with it. Old Weller wecp-20 - I would like to find spares to this one...

Regards
 
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