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Pace soldering stations?

D

DaveC

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm looking at a used Pace temp-control soldering station model ST45. I did a
usenet search this model and came up empty. This seems quite odd.

If you have experience with this model, I'd like to hear about it.

What do you like about it? Don't like about it?

Thanks,
 
T

Thomas Hejl

Jan 1, 1970
0
Dave,
So as not to keep you hanging, I work for a small business in the Northwest
that has several Pace units on inventory. I will see what is there and get
back to you ASAP.

Tom
 
G

g. beat

Jan 1, 1970
0
DaveC said:
I'm looking at a used Pace temp-control soldering station model ST45. I
did a
usenet search this model and came up empty. This seems quite odd.

If you have experience with this model, I'd like to hear about it.

What do you like about it? Don't like about it?

Thanks,
--
DaveC
[email protected]
This is an invalid return address
Please reply in the news group

Pace Corporate Web Page
http://www.paceworldwide.com/

Yes, this is Pace's equivalent to Weller (WESD51) and Haako (937?) of
similar configuration (Digital temperature readout).
Good station. Case was thermoplastic. Model has been superseded by ST-50
(IntelliHeat Control Technology).
ST-45 system is supplied with PS-90 (SensaTemp model).

Here is Pace Direct web site (direct sales / orders)
http://www.pacedirect.com/

Pace Manuals (list)
http://www.pacedirect.com/documents_manuals.php?lang=English&submit.x=19&submit.y=10

ST-45 Manual
http://www.pacedirect.com/documents/SODRTEK ST 45 Manual.pdf

Looking for a Pace dealer / representative / distributor ?
http://www.paceworldwide.com/repsHome.asp

g. beat
 
D

DaveC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thus spake g. beat:

Yes, I saw the web site.

Google is not always The Answer.

I searched *usenet* to find discussions of this model in *news groups*. I'm
trying to get a bead on whether this is a good unit (I'm sure the Pace pages
will say "yes!") or something to avoid.

Looking for *experiences* with this model, or Pace stations in general.
 
N

Nico Coesel

Jan 1, 1970
0
DaveC said:
Thus spake g. beat:


Yes, I saw the web site.

Google is not always The Answer.

I searched *usenet* to find discussions of this model in *news groups*. I'm
trying to get a bead on whether this is a good unit (I'm sure the Pace pages
will say "yes!") or something to avoid.

Looking for *experiences* with this model, or Pace stations in general.

They are expensive, but they do have a lot of special soldering tips
for repair. OTOH, you'll only need special tools when you are working
on a board with components on both sides and need to remove a
component without destroying it. When working at one of my previous
employers I had access to a Pace soldering station but I found my own
tricks worked much faster than setting up the Pace.

If you are looking for just a soldering iron, I can recommend Ersa.
Their soldering tips last much longer than the ones from Weller. Ersa
also carries special tips for soldering fine pitch.
 
D

DaveC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thus spake Nico Coesel:
They are expensive, but they do have a lot of special soldering tips
for repair. OTOH, you'll only need special tools when you are working
on a board with components on both sides and need to remove a
component without destroying it. When working at one of my previous
employers I had access to a Pace soldering station but I found my own
tricks worked much faster than setting up the Pace.

Nico,
I know very little about this topic, other than soldering regular pcbs
(non-SMD).

If you wouldn't mind, would you explain what you mean about why you need
special tips or tools if pcb has components on both sides? And what are your
own tricks?

Thanks,
 
N

Nico Coesel

Jan 1, 1970
0
DaveC said:
Thus spake Nico Coesel:


Nico,
I know very little about this topic, other than soldering regular pcbs
(non-SMD).

If you wouldn't mind, would you explain what you mean about why you need
special tips or tools if pcb has components on both sides? And what are your
own tricks?

Pace sells special tips for removing ICs in surface mounted packages.
They also have a tweezer like soldering iron (in fact 2 irons in one)
with which you can solder both joints of SMT resistors and capacitors
at once.

For soldering fine pitch I use a hollow tip (which is available from
any major soldering iron manufacturor). It takes some practice, but it
is manageble.

I remove fine pitch chips from epoxy (FR4) PCBs by heating the PCB
-carefully- with a paint stripper. This is non-destructive for the
component.

Desoldering fine pitch chips on a board with componentes on both sides
is more tricky (and destructive for the component) since the paint
stripper method won't work. I run a enamel copper wire underneath the
pins. Next I attach the wire to a component or via somewhere on the
board. Finally I heat the pads one by one and gently pull the pins
from the pads by pulling the copper wire. This method puts very little
strain on the pads of the PCB so it can also be used on paper based
PCBs. However, all the pins on the package get bend.
 
G

g. beat

Jan 1, 1970
0
DaveC said:
Thus spake g. beat:


Yes, I saw the web site.

Google is not always The Answer.

I searched *usenet* to find discussions of this model in *news groups*.
I'm
trying to get a bead on whether this is a good unit (I'm sure the Pace
pages
will say "yes!") or something to avoid.

Looking for *experiences* with this model, or Pace stations in general.

Let's see, I own 3 (MBT250, ST20 station, PS90 and PS80 irons and I repair
them ..
yes on the used market - if you know what they are - they are a great buy.
 
D

DaveC

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thus spake g. beat:
Let's see, I own 3 (MBT250, ST20 station, PS90 and PS80 irons and I repair
them .. yes on the used market - if you know what they are - they are a great

Thanks, g.b.. Your comments are hereby added to my d.b. of Pace experiences.
I'm leaning toward buying this ST45 station. I'll have to buy tips on-line (I
prefer to be able to dash down to the local electronics supplier when I need
it *now*), but I guess I'll have to plan ahead a bit...

Thanks again,
 
G

g. beat

Jan 1, 1970
0
DaveC said:
Thus spake g. beat:



Thanks, g.b.. Your comments are hereby added to my d.b. of Pace
experiences.
I'm leaning toward buying this ST45 station. I'll have to buy tips on-line
(I
prefer to be able to dash down to the local electronics supplier when I
need
it *now*), but I guess I'll have to plan ahead a bit...

Thanks again,

Dave -

Remember that expect for the ST-25 and ST-45, Pace really doe snot target
the hobbyists market - which is really where Weller, the Far East imports
and some Haako models exist.

Oki(Metcal) and Pace are usually seen in the professional work place
(production rework, SMT)
with some Weller and Haako.

The only caution that I would add is this:
The thermoplastic extrusions for the ST-25 / ST-45 or ST-65
are no longer available from Pace.
At that time Pace made the ST-35/ST-55/ST-85 which were the aluminum
extrusion case versions (with ability to mount the power supply base under a
bench-top or bench shelf.

So my only warning is avoid heating / burning the case with hot iron - it
will stay that way.
When I do not deal directly with Pace factory -
I work with Technimark and Chicago area Pace representatives - for parts,
etc.
http://www.technimark-inc.com/

gb
 
G

g. beat

Jan 1, 1970
0
DaveC said:
Thus spake g. beat:



Thanks, g.b.. Your comments are hereby added to my d.b. of Pace
experiences.
I'm leaning toward buying this ST45 station. I'll have to buy tips on-line
(I
prefer to be able to dash down to the local electronics supplier when I
need
it *now*), but I guess I'll have to plan ahead a bit...

Current ST-45 station (Pace changed to white base station fronts and
aluminum extrusion)
http://www.e-technimark.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=1109646484
 
J

joseph2k

Jan 1, 1970
0
Nico said:
Pace sells special tips for removing ICs in surface mounted packages.
They also have a tweezer like soldering iron (in fact 2 irons in one)
with which you can solder both joints of SMT resistors and capacitors
at once.

For soldering fine pitch I use a hollow tip (which is available from
any major soldering iron manufacturor). It takes some practice, but it
is manageble.

I remove fine pitch chips from epoxy (FR4) PCBs by heating the PCB
-carefully- with a paint stripper. This is non-destructive for the
component.

Desoldering fine pitch chips on a board with componentes on both sides
is more tricky (and destructive for the component) since the paint
stripper method won't work. I run a enamel copper wire underneath the
pins. Next I attach the wire to a component or via somewhere on the
board. Finally I heat the pads one by one and gently pull the pins
from the pads by pulling the copper wire. This method puts very little
strain on the pads of the PCB so it can also be used on paper based
PCBs. However, all the pins on the package get bend.

In my limited experience 5 mil nickel wire works better, and there are tools
to put the leads back into shape. The just get real expensive for fine
pitch.
 
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