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Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders. |
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Thread Tools |
10th Oct 2017, 1:36 am | #41 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,934
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Quote:
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10th Oct 2017, 7:06 am | #42 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Mine came with a spare element. These aren’t inaccuracies.
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10th Oct 2017, 9:13 pm | #43 |
Octode
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.
Posts: 1,180
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Just out of interest, I found the board for the Maplin station (almost the same as the OP) I demolished a while ago. Not a lot to it, just this board and a lump of metal. The Triac is a BT13G.
Andrew
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11th Oct 2017, 2:24 pm | #44 |
Triode
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Tavistock, Devon, UK.
Posts: 32
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
When the company I worked for shut down and made us all redundant, they were basically throwing away anything that wouldn't transfer easily to overseas locations. Avos, PCs, all sorts of stuff. I got to keep most of my tools, including my Weller station, still going strong, and a whole reel of 60/40 solder, also still plenty left! Never been interested in other brands as such, although if the Weller dies, the Antex factory is just half a mile away...
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11th Oct 2017, 2:41 pm | #45 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2,181
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Looking back at RW #5 post, I've had two Wellers, both from similar sources. First one was one made from two found in the scrap pile in a factory in RW area. That was a TCP. My ECP which needs a temperature sensor came from a GEC factory, via same method -again two scrap found in bin, and I made one out of the two. As I mentioned earlier, for quick jobs, I'll use the Weller as it heats a lot faster than the Maplin BP53.
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11th Oct 2017, 3:43 pm | #46 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,061
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
I think my old antex 660TC unit was quite decent for the money. It’s up to soldering temp within 2 mins from stone cold, comes with a nice flexy silicone lead and just has a simple dial to set the temperature. The tips are dirt cheap and have a decent life for hobby use.
On the downside, the control is not brilliant and it can be slow to maintain temperature with a small bit vs a big ground plane! Swapping bits is not the easiest thing to do, especially hot, and I have managed to break the stand several times as the plastic is rather brittle ☹ Not sure about their new versions, I don't thing having the temp adjustment in the handle is useful and its just something else to go wrong. dc |
11th Oct 2017, 5:31 pm | #47 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Shropshire, UK.
Posts: 3,051
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
I have a couple of older Antex TCS 'in handle' irons. They work well on a set-and-forget basis, but the miniature pots aren't really up to regular adjustment. As far as the Maplin and similar stations go, you might as well just wire a standard iron through a lamp dimmer.
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11th Oct 2017, 9:22 pm | #48 |
Pentode
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Cardiff, UK.
Posts: 211
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Hi,recently located a Weller ps3d station and iron for £30. Owner says it's working fine,however I can find no info on it via web. Can anyone elaborate as to age of item and value considering its age and quality.
It will be my first solder station as I only solder infrequently but am.interested in delving into a bit more repair work as a hobby. I've ever recently lost an antex Xs 25 which I lent to a friend and have now misplaced it😤😤 Thanks for any advice. |
11th Oct 2017, 11:08 pm | #49 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Early 1990s. Good value. If it works, snap it up quick. That's about half the going price for a working one.
You can test it's working by turning it on and listening. The handpiece should click every few seconds as the magnastat switch changes state. Look out for dropped ones (the casing won't stay together) and knackered iron cables and connectors. They're all replaceable but a hassle you don't need. The iron stands tend to look pretty horrible after a few years but don't let that put you off; they still work Expect to buy a new bit for it. RS sell them for around the £5-6 mark each including free next day courier. They last a very long time from experience. I've only ever bought a new one if I needed a difference size. |
11th Oct 2017, 11:54 pm | #50 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2,181
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Edwar65- if buying from RS, it's a lot cheaper to go collect from the trade counter. Order/pay on-line and usually collect next day.
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11th Oct 2017, 11:55 pm | #51 |
Pentode
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Cardiff, UK.
Posts: 211
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Many thanks for the info, won't get to look at it till weekend but seems a genuine chap, so I'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks Tom. |
12th Oct 2017, 7:17 pm | #52 |
Pentode
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Maldon, Essex, UK.
Posts: 182
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
I wonder whether the Parkside Digital Soldering Station that will be available at Lidl from Sunday 15 October for £17.99 will be worth buying:
https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/Non-Food-O...articleId=6988 |
12th Oct 2017, 7:28 pm | #53 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Probably not.
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12th Oct 2017, 8:03 pm | #54 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Nottingham, UK.
Posts: 648
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Hi all,
Not sure if any Pace equipment goes second hand, but the PS-80 iron and control unit is probably the best iron I've used in 30 odd years. Cheap they're not but there is a vast range of tips available for the irons. With a little practice you make a 'iron joint' look as good as hot-air. I was a dedicated Antex user for years, and have used Weller's as well as a Henley Solon (remember those?). But for me all round the Pace do seem the best, but at a high price. The Metcal is good too, but as others have found, they don't seem too rugged. SJM. |
12th Oct 2017, 9:00 pm | #55 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK.
Posts: 2,532
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Henley Solon. Yes, my dad had one that I cut my teethe on. I'm a Weller man. Pace have been good wheel they work, but never found them durable in a number of places I used them. Once had a Pace rep turn up uninvited to try to sell me their kit, and he wasn't impressed when sent away!
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14th Oct 2017, 9:02 am | #56 | |
Triode
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales, UK.
Posts: 44
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Quote:
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14th Oct 2017, 9:53 am | #57 |
Octode
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,770
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Yes, depends what you want. The problem with that type of stuff though is spares. It is very unlikely that spare tips and element will be available for long - if at all. Given the price point though, maybe that's a churlish comment, as the price of the whole thing is less than a tip for certain stations. Still, sticks in the craw for some of us to chuck stuff out - at any price point for any reason.
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Chris |
14th Oct 2017, 2:12 pm | #58 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
Purely in a pool of ironic coincidence, my WTCP51 has just failed on me. No heat. Magnastat jammed. First time that has ever happened to me.
Will call Farnell on Monday as it's still under warranty. May have to purchase a Hakko iron "just to see" (poor excuse but meh ) |
15th Oct 2017, 3:35 pm | #59 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Aberystwyth, Wales, UK.
Posts: 358
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
I normally use a Weller TCP iron but have just purchased the Lidl iron as it is easy to adjust the temeprature. As expected the Lidl one is no match for the Weller, the cable is not very flexible and the bits are not a very good shape. However the iron warms up quickly the display shows the iron temperature and also how much power is being delivered to the element. The bits just screw into the iron so should be easy to manufacture. I used the iron this afternoon and for the price I am pleased with it but it will not replace my Weller.
Dave GW7ONS |
15th Oct 2017, 9:42 pm | #60 |
Pentode
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Cardiff, UK.
Posts: 211
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Re: Modern soldering stations.
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I've fired it up this evening and it gets hot very quickly, but I can't here no clicking as mentioned in previous comments. I took the tip assembly apart and have looked at guts in iron. When iron tip is viewed with lights off, I can see the tip glowing a very dim red����. The tip is marked with a no7 at base. Being a novice with this iron what would be way forward with repair should it need it?? Many thanks Tom. Last edited by Edwar65; 15th Oct 2017 at 9:48 pm. |