[Elecraft] Soldering Stations Question

[Alexandra Carter]

OK here's what you do. You get the handpiece to the Weller WTCPT and  
you just run it on DC. The base unit is just a transformer. Actually  
maybe not DC, run the handpiece on AC, use a transformer to step down  
your wall voltage and there you go. The temp control is all in the  
handpiece with these. Yes, Curie was a genius.

Goot makes good (or goot?) stuff. Hakko is also good.

For desoldering, I just use braid these days. I know enough about  
Pace desoldering stuff to go work for 'em rebuilding their stations,  
but I just use braid. 73 de Alex NS6Y.

On Jul 21, 2006, at 10:56 PM, Wyn Hughes wrote:

> I agee with these comments. Weller has a good reputation but is  
> also a very high end product price wise here in Hong Kong. Hakko,  
> Goot, though 'made in Japan' are similar and also made with  
> outsourced parts and probbaly labour. A Hakko 936 runs about $150  
> and a Hakko 808 desoldering gun around $200 here. Importing from  
> the US is not very satisfactory, as local voltage here is 220VAC
> I bought a Gordak 936A (China made clone of the Hako 936ESD) to  
> build my K2. Cost $35. It worked perfectly satisfactorily although  
> I did buy a Hakko 'made in Japan' steel tip, 1.6mm for the job. I  
> used it for every solder joint in the K2, the tip still has llife  
> left in it. I treated it to the recommended Kester 44 solder, which  
> I had to import from Mouser, as I would be reluctant to trust  
> 'brand x' China made solder at this stage of their development,  
> warranty issues apart.
> Also have a Aoyue 936A which is similar. I also have a Aoyue 808  
> desoldering gun (China clone of the Hakko 808, cost about $55).  
> That worked ok too using the standard (China made alloy) nozzle, as  
> the Hakko nozzles were $25 here which I felt was too expensive. As  
> things turned out I only had to use the desoldering gun a couple of  
> times. Maybe it will fall apart in due time but it has served its  
> purpose to date. The China made products seem reasonably well made  
> and are good value for money out in thispart of the world. I have a  
> Aoyue 474 desoldering station (Hakko 474 clone) waiting in the  
> wings unused for that time!
>
> Wyn, VR2AX
>
>
> 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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