Some minor points.
1.) Tom Hammond and I have discussed this before on the Elecraft reflector,
but seems like it is a FAQ that always needs repeating. IF an Elecraft
builder is attempting to use ONE soldering tip and just change temperatures
(knob) for assembling an Elecraft K2 kit -- they are likely using BAD
soldering techniques/skills (or were never properly taught soldering
techniques) -
and risk overheating or producing poor solder joints or worse - lifting
solder pad from the PC boards.
2.) The Soldering tip MUST be of the proper profile (e.g. conical,
screwdriver, single flat) and mass (.062"; .031", .093") for the specific
soldering joint being heated. Temperature is the THIRD variable of the 3
variables for proper soldering.
TYPICAL BAD TECHNIQUES:
+ Cranking the temperature dial beyond 800 degrees and using a small tip for
a large soldering joint.
+ Constantly changing tip temperature during a soldering session (e.g
soldering's version of the golden screwdriver problem)
+ Not understanding the characteristics of the solder being used. Is it a
Eutectic? What is it's melting temperature?
+ Using large diameter solder (> .031 or .050") for small PC work - which
regularly places too much solder on joint
+ Not using properly sized solder tip for work area
+ Not properly cleaning and tinning the solder tip before shut down of
station for evening
REASON FOR A TEMPERATURE KNOB
+ Various alloys of solder (e.g. tin-lead, silver solder, no-lead solder)
have different temperature/melting characteristics.
+ While most DIY may start with tin-lead alloys, permits transition to
no-lead in future without significant change in tool investment
+ Station is able to perform a wide variety of different works typical in
marketplace (general repair shop, DIY home user)
+ Most station have a temperature lock feature - to permit production
assembly usage (and avoid knob twisters on the assembling line) - that will
cause "out of spec" joints - critical for DoD and Military assembly work as
well as "rework"
BTW, Weller was made in the US until 2002. In 2002, Cooper Tools (Houston)
moved the entire plant to Mexico - HQ and repair services are still in Apex,
NC While this dropped the cost structure to that of other manufacturer's
imports (e.g. Japan and China) -- it took over a year (most of 2003) to get
the quality and consistency - at the levels of the Far East imports.
It did not help that Cooper Tools was "shopping the business" (looking to
sell division or spin off to separate company) during this same period. The
last remaining workers from Carl Weller's days at Weller Electric in Easton,
PA (1970 or earlier) have now reached retirement age.
Greg
w9gb
============================
Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:14:48 -0700
From: Alexandra Carter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Soldering stations
To: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
WRONG. You do have to change the tip on the Magnetrol type Weller
stations, of which the WTCPT is one, that's the beauty of it - no
nimrod technicians cranking a variable control up to 900 degrees and
lifting pads. I was just in fry's today buying two tips for my own
beloved WTCPT, a 700 degree fine point tip and an 800 degree flat tip.
73 de Alex NS6Y (whose KX1 LED turns out to be white after all).
On Apr 15, 2006, at 3:13 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
Jerry WA2DKG wrote:
Once again I read about having to change the tip in the Weller WTCP
soldering station in order to change the temperature...This is just
not so
and makes me wonder if I am listening to someone who has never used the
Weller...I have both the Weller WTCP and the Hakko 936 and the Weller
wins,
hands down...In my working days, over 40 years of soldering, I used
Wellers,
Paces, Edsyns, you name it, the Weller WTCP is my first choice...And,
it is
MADE IN THE USA!!!...
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