Electronics Forum | Thu Sep 08 04:10:52 EDT 2005 | Rob
Danotherms for hot air rework & Metcal MX500's for irons = very happy staff (& very unhappy accountants!)
Electronics Forum | Fri Aug 02 11:06:39 EDT 2019 | robl
Personally I'd take a Metcal MX500 over a 130W JBC every day, and we had hundreds at the last place. However, here we have lots of JBC's, and my engineers and solderers swear by them. Both are good irons and like any you need to get your tip choice
Electronics Forum | Fri Apr 05 07:17:40 EDT 2019 | jchris
We evaluated the Metcal CV-5210 and found that while it is a solid iron, the "Connection Validation" features were so quirky that our operators had to completely turn off the CV features. When Connection Validation was enabled, we had a massive amoun
Electronics Forum | Thu May 26 04:24:47 EDT 2005 | Rob
I beg to differ but the old metcals do handle lead free with no problems - Unless we have a rogue batch of ancient super MX500's.
Electronics Forum | Thu Apr 04 07:10:44 EDT 2019 | robl
Hi Matt, We've used the MX-5210 version, and they are good irons. Regarding the cross-breeding with a Christmas tree, we're not sold. Rob.
Electronics Forum | Thu Mar 11 12:11:02 EST 2004 | russ
Jon, one other option. Metcal makes tips for the MX stations that are for removing All sorts of Ic components. They are custom sized for each QFP size. If you have the MX stations this is a great way to go. These tips only heat the leads and par
Electronics Forum | Thu Feb 21 12:49:07 EST 2013 | deanm
We had the same problem with one of our boards with ground planes so that it required preheat using a hotplate before hand soldering. Then I learned about the Metcal MX-5000 series soldering irons. I was skeptical at first but we can now solder the s
Electronics Forum | Tue Jun 27 12:21:32 EDT 2017 | deanm
Sounds like a selective soldering machine would be your ultimate answer. But if you must hand solder, an oven, preheater or anything to heat the core of your board would help as mentioned before. We've used hot plates with success. As far as irons g
Electronics Forum | Tue Jul 12 09:51:42 EDT 2005 | russ
We use the JBC irons with and without the "leadfree" tips. We really have not noticed much difference between the standard and the lead free. The lead free tips do last a little longer but the tips are somewhat deformed by the extra plating. As f
Electronics Forum | Fri Mar 30 08:46:53 EDT 2007 | electronhose
I just purchased some PACE ST-25 systems for basic soldering and they work great. It was a deal at $155 each and they heat up FAST! Tips are around $6 each so the whole system is affordable. A step up for rework jobs would be the Metcal MX systems.
