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@Harvey,
? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
On Thu, 21 Mar 2019 21:25:22 -0500, you wrote: @Harvey,
? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
to be on when powered up. Both lights, red and green? Normally, green is power, and if there is a red light, then that indicates that the tip in the wand is disconnected, defective, missing, etc.... That is about all you can do without a wand. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? The wand is simply a holder. I haven't seen much go wrong with the two that I have. It's the tip you'll need, too. I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
bidding. That happens. If you consider it, Thermaltronics may be useful. The wand you want is an MX-RM3E from Metcal (seems to be the right one and says STTC tips). Their price is a reasonable 114.00 at their web store (*hack*..... *hack*.....) The Thermaltronics SHP-1 is supposed to be a direct replacement, and is 88.00 (amazon....) Ebay still may be your best bet. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
avoided? Now, new from China? No experience at all with that, could be very good, could be very bad. I'd be tempted to avoid them until either don't have a choice, or it doesn't matter all that much. The thermaltronics tips seem to be good, though, and less expensive, perhaps 20 dollars. Having said that, contact me off list, please. Harvey
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
The Metcal wand as I understand it, is just a length of flexible coaxial cable. Has anyone tried to home brew one? I have a stash of EBay tips that don't fit my MX500. Maybe thats a way to use them.
--
-- The only difference between men and boys, is the price of their toys.
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Pretty much need a handle and tip to test. However, you might be able to wire just a tip with a diy socket of hobby? brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer clips. It's at RF frequencies so not a long turm hookup,? but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
I just verified I could test mine with paperclip as the outer coax jumper, and a arduino type jumper with the plastic rounded using an exacto blade to fit in the center contact, that I was able to warm up a tip and get a green light.
Pretty much need a handle and tip to test. However, you might be able to wire just a tip with a diy socket of hobby? brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer clips. It's at RF frequencies so not a long turm hookup,? but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I just verified I could test mine with paperclip as the outer coax jumper, and a arduino type jumper with the plastic rounded using an exacto blade to fit in the center contact, that I was able to warm up a tip and get a green light.
Pretty much need a handle and tip to test. However, you might be able to wire just a tip with a diy socket of hobby? brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer clips. It's at RF frequencies so not a long turm hookup,? but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
If you scroll down that link and see the pictures of an opened wand, there is an LC at the tip connections. Not sure the values.
On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 10:39 AM Lee Studley via Groups.Io <indigoredster= [email protected]> wrote:
I just verified I could test mine with paperclip as the outer coax jumper, and a arduino type jumper with the plastic rounded using an exacto blade to fit in the center contact, that I was able to warm up a tip and get a green light.
Pretty much need a handle and tip to test. However, you might be able to wire just a tip with a diy socket of hobby? brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer clips. It's at RF frequencies so not a long turm hookup,? but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
Thanks Lee,
? I have to get some tips yet. But that may work.
On 3/22/2019 12:24 PM, Lee Studley
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Pretty much need a handle and tip to test. However,
you might be able to wire just a tip with a diy socket of hobby?
brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer clips. It's
at RF frequencies so not a long turm hookup,?
but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering
pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both
lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or
do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering
pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed
the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are
they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies
that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
_.
|
Cool, thanks for taking the time to test/verify that.
Dave
On 3/22/2019 12:33 PM, Lee Studley
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I just verified I could test mine with paperclip as
the outer coax jumper, and a arduino type jumper with the
plastic rounded using an exacto
blade to fit in the center contact, that I was able to warm
up a tip and get a green light.
Pretty much need a handle and tip to test.
However, you might be able to wire just a tip with a diy
socket of hobby?
brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer clips.
It's at RF frequencies so not a long turm hookup,?
but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a
soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both
lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be
tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering
pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and
missed the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or
are they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies
that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
|
Thanks for the info. Probably top secret values on those 2
components. :-
Dave
On 3/22/2019 12:48 PM, Lee Studley
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
If you scroll down that link and see the pictures
of an opened wand, there is an LC at the tip connections. Not
sure the values.
On Fri, Mar 22, 2019 at 10:39
AM Lee Studley via Groups.Io <indigoredster= [email protected]>
wrote:
I just verified I could test mine with
paperclip as the outer coax jumper, and a arduino type
jumper with the plastic rounded using an exacto
blade to fit in the center contact, that I was able
to warm up a tip and get a green light.
Pretty much need a handle and tip to
test. However, you might be able to wire just a tip
with a diy socket of hobby?
brass or an Arduino type wire jumper and outer
clips. It's at RF frequencies so not a long turm
hookup,?
but a go-nogo test.
@Harvey,
?? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without
a soldering pencil and
it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit
and both lights appear
to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to
be tested or do I need
an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a
soldering pencil as I was
sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day
and missed the
bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any
good or are they to be
avoided?
Thanks,
Dave
p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other
goodies that I have
been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best
sizes.
|
You most likely need a hand piece to test the Metcal.? I believe some of the power supply models have open circuit shut down capability.? So if you don't see any RF at the connector that is not definitive for being defective.??? The hand hand piece with the element is really an inductive heating element that regulates the temp by the curie point of the alloy used for the actual tip.? I never opened up? one of the element tips but it should contain an inductive heating coil around the heat conductive alloy.?? IIRC there is a resonant cap located in the body of the hand piece that forms a series LC resonant circuit with the heating coil in the heating element.??? I guess the idea is as the temp approaches the curie point of the material in the core of the inductor, the LC resonant point shifts off? resonance reducing the absorbed energy, thus regulating the temperature.? As you start to solder the tip cools, returns to resonances and absorbs more energy.? They respond very fast.
I purchased a special stand for the hand piece which has a sponge, and tip storage but it also contains some ferrite material around the hole for hand piece.? The ferrite upsets the resonant point so the tip standby temp is lowered when not in use, extending tip life. ? I do notice a slight delay before the tip gets to soldering temp with this stand over the old one but it's not significant.?
After market tips and Metcal clones are available from a company called Thermaltronics.? thermaltronics.com ? Tips are in the $11 to $22 range.
Be aware there are different temp ranges available for each style tip??? 325-358c (type 600)?? 350-398C (type 700)?? 420-475c (type 800)
I normally use 63/37? tin/lead , hate the lead free stuff.?? So my old 600 types work fine? just need to get a couple higher temp ones for the lead free boards
Craig
|
Craig,
? Well I am going to have to buy a hand piece to use my new power
supply ( I got a very low serial number (26xx) unit as it seemed
like a deal ) so that is what I am looking for now. I may buy a
new one but I will watch for deals for a bit first on used ones. I
know that Thermaltronics sells stuff for the Metcal so I am good
there. But the type info is useful. Thanks for the explanation on
how the unit works. I just bought some 63/37 last week as I always
used 60/40 and wanted to see if it is actually low heat and how it
works. I never tried lead free but I too, am not a fan of it just
from what I read. I suppose I will have to buy a roll in case I
need to do a repair on a lead free board some day but that will be
far off if ever.
Dave
On 3/23/2019 9:04 PM, designer_craig
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
You most likely need a hand piece to test the Metcal.? I believe
some of the power supply models have open circuit shut down
capability.? So if you don't see any RF at the connector that is
not definitive for being defective.??? The hand hand piece with
the element is really an inductive heating element that regulates
the temp by the curie point of the alloy used for the actual tip.?
I never opened up? one of the element tips but it should contain
an inductive heating coil around the heat conductive alloy.?? IIRC
there is a resonant cap located in the body of the hand piece that
forms a series LC resonant circuit with the heating coil in the
heating element.??? I guess the idea is as the temp approaches the
curie point of the material in the core of the inductor, the LC
resonant point shifts off? resonance reducing the absorbed energy,
thus regulating the temperature.? As you start to solder the tip
cools, returns to resonances and absorbs more energy.? They
respond very fast.
I purchased a special stand for the hand piece which has a sponge,
and tip storage but it also contains some ferrite material around
the hole for hand piece.? The ferrite upsets the resonant point so
the tip standby temp is lowered when not in use, extending tip
life. ? I do notice a slight delay before the tip gets to
soldering temp with this stand over the old one but it's not
significant.?
After market tips and Metcal clones are available from a company
called Thermaltronics.? thermaltronics.com ? Tips are in the $11
to $22 range.
Be aware there are different temp ranges available for each style
tip??? 325-358c (type 600)?? 350-398C (type 700)?? 420-475c (type
800)
I normally use 63/37? tin/lead , hate the lead free stuff.?? So my
old 600 types work fine? just need to get a couple higher temp
ones for the lead free boards
Craig
_._,_._,
|
Hello Dave,
Friday, March 22, 2019
I have used the Chinese tips and they seem OK for hobby use, so as
the pencil is just a tip sleeve connection, carrier and lead for the
tips, they too SHOULD be OK.
Best regards,
Chris mailto:chris@...
D> @Harvey,
D> ? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
D> it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
D> to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
D> an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
D> sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
D> bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
D> avoided?
D> Thanks,
D> Dave
D> p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
D> been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
D>
|
On Sun, 24 Mar 2019 10:00:53 +0000, you wrote: Hello Dave,
Friday, March 22, 2019
I have used the Chinese tips and they seem OK for hobby use, so as
the pencil is just a tip sleeve connection, carrier and lead for the
tips, they too SHOULD be OK. Chinese tips? Never saw them. Amazon or Ebay? Ditto for the wands.... Harvey
Best regards,
Chris mailto:chris@...
D> @Harvey,
D> ? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
D> it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
D> to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
D> an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
D> sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
D> bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
D> avoided?
D> Thanks,
D> Dave
D> p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
D> been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
D>
|
Hello Harvey, Sunday, March 24, 2019 OKI tips on Ebay are often counterfeit, but in my experience in light usage they seem OK, not sure how they'd last in a commercial environment. If I were using the tips commercially I would obviously go for genuine from a trusted supplier. I haven't seen the handles, but the other poster seems to believe they are available. Best regards, Chris mailto:chris@... HW> On Sun, 24 Mar 2019 10:00:53 +0000, you wrote: Hello Dave,
Friday, March 22, 2019
I have used the Chinese tips and they seem OK for hobby use, so as
the pencil is just a tip sleeve connection, carrier and lead for the
tips, they too SHOULD be OK.
HW> Chinese tips? Never saw them. Amazon or Ebay? Ditto for the HW> wands.... HW> Harvey
Best regards,
Chris mailto:chris@...
D> @Harvey,
D> ? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
D> it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
D> to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
D> an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
D> sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
D> bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
D> avoided?
D> Thanks,
D> Dave
D> p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
D> been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
D>
HW>
|
On Mon, 25 Mar 2019 09:37:03 +0000, you wrote: Hello Harvey,
Sunday, March 24, 2019
OKI tips on Ebay are often counterfeit, but in my experience in light
usage they seem OK, not sure how they'd last in a commercial
environment. If I were using the tips commercially I would obviously
go for genuine from a trusted supplier. I haven't seen the handles,
but the other poster seems to believe they are available.
Ah, ok. I tend to use amazon, which has a more limited selection but guarantees your satisfaction. I've returned some things ranging from DC voltage converters (packed loose in a box, broke the ferrite in the inductors) to an Aoyue desoldering station (it rattled, had broken ceramic in the heater grid, and had a 1/4 inch hole burned in the grid.... slight cosmetic defects indeed.....). I don't get the super bargains, but I get a bit more surity. Harvey
Best regards,
Chris mailto:chris@...
HW> On Sun, 24 Mar 2019 10:00:53 +0000, you wrote:
Hello Dave,
Friday, March 22, 2019
I have used the Chinese tips and they seem OK for hobby use, so as
the pencil is just a tip sleeve connection, carrier and lead for the
tips, they too SHOULD be OK.
HW> Chinese tips? Never saw them. Amazon or Ebay? Ditto for the
HW> wands....
HW> Harvey
Best regards,
Chris mailto:chris@...
D> @Harvey,
D> ? I picked up an older PS2E-01 from ebay without a soldering pencil and
D> it was listed as "tested-good".? I got the unit and both lights appear
D> to be on when powered up. Is that all it takes to be tested or do I need
D> an iron to be sure it works? I missed out on a soldering pencil as I was
D> sick and had a rough day with other stuff that day and missed the
D> bidding. Also, are the new pencils from China any good or are they to be
D> avoided?
D> Thanks,
D> Dave
D> p.s All my carbide drills arrived along with other goodies that I have
D> been waiting on. :) Hopefully I got the best sizes.
D>
HW>
|
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