This is just a general message to the list. I just bought a rather nice
temperature controlled soldering station made by Tenma in Taiwan. It has a
digital readout and allows you to set the temperature desired using the
readout and then switch to automatic temperature control. The station I
bought is catalog number 21-1590 and is selling for $69.95 from the regular
price of $119.00. A similar soldering station using an analog bargraph
display is selling for $59.95. The iron is interchangable between the two
stations and costs $11.25 for a replacement iron. The station comes with an
iron and conical tip. I bought a replacement iron and a couple of extra tips
just in case the company goes out of business next week, although I think
that is unlikely.
The seller is MCM Electronics, 1-800-543-4330. You might want to give them a
call and ask for a catalog. The catalog numbers for the tips are:
21-148 for 3/64" conical, 21-925 for 1/8" long conical, 21--926 for 1/8"
screwdriver tip, 21-927 for 3/64" long screwdriver tip, all for $2.39 each.
The replacement iron is #21-149 and is rated at a maximum of 48 watts. I've
soldered some 6-32 brass hardware with the small tip without any problems and
still was able to work on the pc board without resetting the control.
I've been using an Ungar 40 watt iron with a chisel tip for years but I
didn't have any problem transferring to this unit. I hadn't bought a true
temperature controlled station until now because I was put off by the over
$100 price range of the Wellers for my hobby use. So far this unit is serving
well.
MCM also has desoldering pumps at $4 as well as other tools and supplies.
Just thought someone out there might like the information.
72, Darrel, WD6BOR
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