Re: Soldering irons [was Re: gEDA-user: Free Dog meetings at MITstarting this September!]

[Charles Lepple <clepple@ghz.cc>]

Stuart Brorson wrote:

> Please remember that this is my understanding of what's going on in a
> Metcal gained by lab heresay; I might always be confused about some
> detail or another . . . . 
The techical details sound right... or maybe someone gave the same sales 
pitch at my lab :-)

On the other hand, Weller and Hakko soldering irons are more than 
sufficient for occasional soldering if you're the type of person who 
spent under $500 for their stereo system, and can't hear the difference 
between it and your neighbor's $50,000 system.

That's not to say I wouldn't trade up if I had the choice.

A Metcal will give you the same amount of heat whether you are heating a 
QFP lead or a wad of 12 gauge wires (unless you reach the wattage limit 
for that particular tip). With a slightly less sophisticated 
temperature-controlled iron, you may have to boost the temperature 
setting slightly if there is a lot of thermal mass to whatever you are 
soldering.

--
Charles Lepple
clepple@ghz.cc