[Elecraft] Soldering Stations Question

[Alexandra Carter]

I'm glad you brought that up since I love the Metcal. You can get  
decent Metcal stuff on Ebay. If I had to choose one iron, and I did,  
since I had a Metcal too, I'd choose my Weller. There's another  
brand, Japanese, called Hakko and imitators of the Weller stuff but  
that's ok they're good.

The Weller WTCPT is the sweet spot, the most high quality iron for  
the cheapest price, spend $120 and you have a good soldering iron for  
life. Mine is USA-made, as far as I can tell the tips are, I don't  
know about the new stuff, they'd better not be making it in China but  
you'd better check the label if you want to avoid paying the people  
putting us out of work.

Yes, the Weller Magnetrol system uses the Curie effect, it's really  
neat! 73 de Alex NS6Y.

On Jul 21, 2006, at 4:03 PM, Robert wrote:

> I use a METCAL soldering station and a METCAL Desoldering station.   
> This is a real high end and expensive set-up and not for everyone.
> Weller is good but not made in the USA. At least not anymore.   
> Components are made in China and Mexico like everything else.
> Get whatever you are comfortable with.  Many soldering stations are  
> overkill for most hobbiest.  Pace makes a nice small soldering  
> station called the
> Heatwise and like the METCAL uses the Currie effect to maintain  
> very stable tip temp regardless of thermal load.
>
> Bottom line is to get something that your comfortable with and  
> won't empty your wallet.
>
> Robert VE3RPF
>
>
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