On Apr 14, 2006, at 12:40 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
The Pace and Edsyn soldering stations are in the $130 range. The
OKI (was
Metcal) soldering stations like the Wellers with front-panel
temperature
controls get up near $200. Of course, they all have special purpose
tools
that cost much, much more, but which do different things such as
provide far
higher heats one would ever use on a PCB (up to 1000F), desoldering
tools,
etc.
Like you, I have a Hakko 936. The reason I like it over the Weller
in a $100
soldering station is for the Hakko's front-panel temperature
control instead
of changing tips to change temperatures. Of course Weller offers
front-panel
temperature change too, but at substantially more money than the
Hakko.
The premium for a Weller soldering station isn't quite that much if
you shop around a bit. There are several variable-temperature Weller
models available. The one which is most like the Hakko 936 is the
WES-51. I bought the predecessor WES-50 for about $90 a few years
back and a quick Google search found the WES-51 for $99 at Action. I
also have a Xytronic which is quite similar and was in the $60 range
when I bought mine about ten years ago.
73,
Bob, N7XY
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
