Soldering Station Suggestion - Work's Paying!

SpiffWilkie

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I know there are a million and a half soldering station threads on here, but I always see budget restrictions. Well, I don't have one. We're looking to purchase soldering/desoldering equipment at work and I've been asked to supply the suggestion for what to buy. I know more expensive doesn't always equal better but it sure can help sometimes. So, if you had no budget restrictions, what setup would you purchase?
 
I've always done well with the Pace MBT myself. but no budget restrictions? You got me. budget's kind of always been the primary.
 
I've used quite a few different ones... Weller, Metcal, Hakko, Pace, etc... with no budget restriction, I'd personally go with a Pace. It seems like a lot of the guys at my work prefer the Metcal, but having used them both a bunch, I like the feel of the Pace better.

Of course... bang for the buck... I'd go with Hakko.

DogP
 
I've used quite a few different ones... Weller, Metcal, Hakko, Pace, etc... with no budget restriction, I'd personally go with a Pace. It seems like a lot of the guys at my work prefer the Metcal, but having used them both a bunch, I like the feel of the Pace better.

Of course... bang for the buck... I'd go with Hakko.

DogP

I have 2 Pace systems here. Went to the soldering school from them back in the mid 90s to learn SMT rework and how to properly use/care for the gear. You'll want to go to the school as it was VERY well worth it.

RJ
 
Here is the one I have.
http://www.pacedirect.com/product.php?id=1573
Looks like it went up $200 since I bought mine a few months ago. I previously had a very old pace and it was still kicking along when I replaced it. Once you go with a real desoldering station you will never look back.

BTW, the problem with the metcal is you need an external air source and it better be clean. Pace has a pump built in.
 
Soldering ... definitely metcal... de-soldering... pace.

Now I wouldn't buy a new metcal ... you can get one off ebay used for a decent price... I payed $58.00 for my MX-500 my friend got his PS2E for $9.99!. Even if you pay 150-200 for a used one with a wand your getting a great deal.

I have a metcal SP440 desoldering station, it has a built in pump.... I do like it ... and it works very well but I must say I've used the pace at work and that thing can suck the chrome of a trailer hitch... the metcal seems a bit weak.
 
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Soldering ... definitely metcal... de-soldering... pace.

Now I wouldn't buy a new metcal ... you can get one off ebay used for a decent price... I payed $58.00 for my MX-500 my friend got his PS2E for $9.99!. Even if you pay 150-200 for a used one with a wand your getting a great deal.

I have a metcal SP440 desoldering station, it has a built in pump.... I do like it ... and it works very well but I must say I've used the pace at work and that thing can suck the chrome of a trailer hitch... the metcal seems a bit weak.

Work is weird and won't buy off of ebay. They'd rather pay through the nose and get it from one of their suppliers.
 
went to pawn shop and bought a used vacuum pump
invented a solder trap and installed a long hose so i can suck up molten solder at an alarming rate
 
I bought my first pace desolder unit from a going out of business sale at a computer store. Paid $50 for it and just needed to replace the heating element. Used it for a good 8 or 9 years before upgrading. Be careful buying old units on ebay. Some parts like heating elements and even some consumables are no longer available for the old stuff.
 
We use metcal and oki systems at work. I prefer to metcal, notably the MX-5000. There is a magnet in the holder which will cut power to the iron when you set it down which saves your tips. It heats back up almost instantly. Not sure how this relates to other systems but I really like working with metcal.
 
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