[Elecraft] Calibrate Solder Station

[Don Nelson]

Walter V. Gilles wrote:
> Greetings,
>  
> I'm going to purchase a solder station, probably one of the popular Weller or Hakko units, with additional tips.  Both manufacturers sell accessories to calibrate the stations.  Some recommend performing a temp calibration whenever you replace the tip or the iron.  All well and good until you see the cost of these calibration (test) units.  Would it be prudent to forego the calibrations altogether, and just swap tips as needed, and rely on the initial cal to keep it in the ballpark?  I'm guessing after getting used to the station, you will have a sense of proper temp for a particular job, and could just tweak the temp setting up or down as needed without really getting into the calibration arena.  Just wanted to see what folks thought about calibration and if it was worth it.  Thanks.  73
>  
> Walter, WB2IDK (ex-N0DZJ)
>
>
>       
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Walter,

Your question prompted me to try my Raytek Minitemp remote thermometer 
on my Weller soldering station. I get some high temperature readings. I 
suppose that this kind of thermometer should be sufficient to monitor 
the how the soldering station is performing. Why not use a general 
purpose remote sensor instead of buying a specialized tool?

Don, N0YE