Re: Soldering Iron

"Chris W" <1qazse4@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dDkEe.46465$rb6.26288@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Can someone tell me if this a good deal and of reasonable quality for a
> hobbiest?
>
> http://www.megaproductions.net/Soldering_Iron1.htm
>
> --

Chris,

While the price is attractive and it might be a great deal, there are a few
things that bother me about the specs.

1. No approvals listed.
2. No ESD (maximum tip voltage to ground) spec.
3. No temperature stability spec.
4. They don't know much about soldering iron care if they think you should use
emery cloth and alcohol to clean the tips.

I've used Weller/Ungar stuff in the past, but now I would go with a Hakko
soldering station. You would pay a bit more ($90 or so) for a 936-12 ESD safe
station but you definitely know what you are getting. It doesn't have the
direct temperature readout, but you don't really need that for hobby work.
Specs for 936-12 are at http://www.hakkousa.com/products.asp?page=3&pid=936-12.

--
James T. White


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