I just picked up a Metcal MX500 station for general soldering/desoldering work and looking for some guidance on tip selection. It came with a desoldering tool (requires a compressor). Could someone suggest a couple of tips for both the soldering iron and desoldering tool that would cover a range of soldering I might encounter when doing a recapping or repair on audio equipment. I believe the tips come in different temperatures as well as different tip styles. I want to thank you up front for any advice you may give me.
Regards,
gwho
Regards,
gwho
For Metcal irons I like the shorter length tips with a narrow flat on the end.
For heavier soldering you'd need a wider flat on the tip. You really only need
those two tips, unless you do a lot of fine smt work. For smt, avoid their
longer tips if possible.
I would not recommend any of their longer tips, which have poorer thermal regulation.
See page 10 here: http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1...MI7M-xjIyq4AIVmLXACh3rzgpUEAAYASAAEgJ2sfD_BwE
Last edited:
Rayma,
Thanks for the help. Could you recommend a specific model tips that has worked for you for general purpose soldering and desoldering for the Mx500
Regards
gwho
Thanks for the help. Could you recommend a specific model tips that has worked for you for general purpose soldering and desoldering for the Mx500
Regards
gwho
I have found that the tips might as well be bought from OKI direct as they are no more expensive than resellers. Or 2nd hand on flea bay I suppose if you want a gamble.
I use a 5mm tip for earthing and power flex soldering, a 2mm chisel for general purpose work, and a fine tip for smd work. Seems to work OK for me.
I use a 5mm tip for earthing and power flex soldering, a 2mm chisel for general purpose work, and a fine tip for smd work. Seems to work OK for me.
I use the hotter 412 C tips. The 5mm is STTC-117, the others I use are 136P and 147P, the latter is a bevel 1.8mm long nose tip for SMD - well the stuff I can still see! I like all of them and find the long nose fine on small stuff, but I am an amateur unlike many far more knowledgeable folk on here. Hope this helps.
Jazid,
It helps a lot. I am no expert in soldering. Just want to have a good starting point for doing some simple stuff.
Regards
gwho
It helps a lot. I am no expert in soldering. Just want to have a good starting point for doing some simple stuff.
Regards
gwho
These things are a revelation if you are used to cheap irons. Wonderful tools! I don't know the pro Wellers and similar so cannot compare, but mine does everything I have needed, really well.
I was using a 30 year old Weller station that has now given up the ghost. Wish I would have done this years ago.
Thank you for the responses on the tip types. I have not heard anything on the tip type for the desoldering station. Could anyone make a suggestion on a tip type commonly used on pc board for pulling caps / resistor from thru hole vias.
Thanks
gwho
Thanks
gwho
Haven't used the desoldering station, but I use the one of the chisels with the P in the part number, which are the optimized heat transfer geometry tips. I think STTC-136P or STTC-125P.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.