[Boatanchors] Found another use for my new 'isolated' Variac

[Phil]

About a month or so ago I bought that 1000VA 'isolated' Variac (isolated 
because the primary is isolated from the secondary as in a standard 
Isolation Transformer.

Well, I didn't expect to get a LOT of use out of it as I only 
occasionally work on old tube stuff that would benefit the most.  It was 
purchased as a "safety item" for the bench.

Well, yesterday I received a box containing a LOT of terminal strips 
with parts attached, potentiometers (sp?) and so forth.  LOTS of 
cleaning up to do.  I first started the task by using the soldering iron 
on my soldering station that has the larger tip (the station has two 
irons).  It did the job, but took awhile to heat the terminal lugs and 
work the parts off. Most of them are those type used  military type that 
have two rows of hollow posts on a phenolic or fiberglass plate with the 
parts between the two opposite posts.   Takes more heat than the typical 
PC boards.

So then I switched to the smaller (100/140 Watt) Weller gun. IT too 
worked well but was a bit clumsy.

Then I thought of the 60W Sears Iron.  The one I usually reserve for 
PL-259 plugs.  Gets very hot and transfers a LOT of heat.  A little too 
much sometimes ;-)

Then I saw the Variac sitting there.  Set it for about 95V, plugged the 
iron in, and Voila!  Instant variable temperature soldering iron.  It 
looks like it will be ideal for the task at hand, and no wear on the 
soldering station irons or soldering guns (yeah, I probably went 
overboard on setting up the soldering capabilities of my bench (grin).  
That Sears iron has been sitting in the toolbox for years with only 
occasional use.  But at least I DO know which end of the soldering iron 
to hold on to. . .


-- 
73 From "The Beaconeer's Lair"
Phil, KO6BB
http://www.qsl.net/ko6bb/  (Web Page)

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