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Soldering Station

I need a new soldering station to replace one I lost during a move.
This is for hobby use in microcontrollers and general analog/digital
work.

Is a Metcal MX-500 a reasonable choice for these applications? I know
it's more expensive than other stations, but I've heard good things
about it.

Anything else I should consider?
 
R

Rich Webb

Jan 1, 1970
0
I need a new soldering station to replace one I lost during a move.
This is for hobby use in microcontrollers and general analog/digital
work.

Is a Metcal MX-500 a reasonable choice for these applications? I know
it's more expensive than other stations, but I've heard good things
about it.

Hop over to http://www.howardelectronics.com/ and
http://www.web-tronics.com/soldering-equipment---supplies.html for some
other options. I've been pretty happy with Xytronic gear plus
Web-Tronics has some "house brand" equipment that looks pretty good.

If you're setting up a new station, it's probably worth it nowadays to
go ahead and get a hot air + iron + desoldering-iron.
 
D

DJ Delorie

Jan 1, 1970
0
Is a Metcal MX-500 a reasonable choice for these applications? I know
it's more expensive than other stations, but I've heard good things
about it.

That's what I use for my hobby work (uC+A/D, just like you). I got it
only because it was on eBay (used) for the same price as a new SP200.
I eventually added the talon (not available for the SP200) which
quickly turned into my favorite non-iron tool.

Also, I'd been using an old Radio Shack iron for many years (decades?)
and decided it was worth spending extra for better tools.
 
B

Ben Jackson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Is a Metcal MX-500 a reasonable choice for these applications? I know
it's more expensive than other stations, but I've heard good things
about it.

Every Metcal I've used (including the MX-500) has been far and away better
than every other solder station I've used. On the other hand, for about
1/10th as much you can get a perfectly acceptable station (including the
Xytronic 379 someone mentioned in another post).

If I were going to upgrade I'd probably spend the money on a stereo
magnifier first, and then the Metcal.
 
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