AeroElectric-List Digest Archive

Mon 02/20/17


Total Messages Posted: 11



Today's Message Index:
----------------------
 
     1. 10:17 AM - Re: Re: Tie Wraps For Wire Bundles (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
     2. 11:05 AM - Re: Re: Tie Wraps For Wire Bundles (Alec Myers)
     3. 11:08 AM - Re: Re: Solder Station (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
     4. 11:10 AM - Re: AMP 59250 crimper (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
     5. 11:50 AM - Re: Re: Solder Station (C&K)
     6. 11:56 AM - Re: Re: Solder Station (Alec Myers)
     7. 12:41 PM - metcal solder stations (Christopher Cee Stone)
     8. 12:52 PM - Re: Re: Solder Station (Stein Bruch)
     9. 01:05 PM - Re: Re: Solder Station (Alec Myers)
    10. 04:52 PM - Re: Re: Solder Station (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
    11. 08:35 PM - Re: Re: Solder Station (Art Zemon)
 
 
 


Message 1


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 10:17:17 AM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Tie Wraps For Wire Bundles
    At 12:19 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: >And believe you me: that postage to US is cheap, you should be over >this side of the pond ordering from US to UK, unbelievable the cost: > >John Yeah, I'm not sure I have any understanding of how shipping costs are assessed. It costs more to ship my books out of the country than the books cost. I can order stuff off eBay for a few dollars with free shipping from outside the country. Bob . . .


    Message 2


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 11:05:50 AM PST US
    From: Alec Myers <alec@alecmyers.com>
    Subject: Re: Tie Wraps For Wire Bundles
    A lot of Chinese goods not only are cheap but have free shipping worldwide. I n fact the actual shipping costs are paid for by the Chinese government, it' s a kind of hidden subsidy on exports. On Feb 20, 2017, at 13:13, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectri c.com> wrote: At 12:19 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: > And believe you me: that postage to US is cheap, you should be over this s ide of the pond ordering from US to UK, unbelievable the cost: > > John Yeah, I'm not sure I have any understanding of how shipping costs are assessed. It costs more to ship my books out of the country than the books cost. I can order stuff off eBay for a few dollars with free shipping from outside the country. Bob . . .


    Message 3


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 11:08:30 AM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: > >My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect >that Metcal irons use? Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip. The cord out to the tip is multiple conductors. Replacement heaters have 4 conductors. Emacs! Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative to Metcal. I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away several . . . but depending on my experience over the next few years with Hakko, I may very well not replace any Metcal that goes belly up. I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . . although it appears to incorporate similar technology. The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot- air station. http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5 Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've got a surface-mount assembly project coming up where I'll try it out with attaching parts with solder paste. The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking and label removal . . . watch this space . . . Bob . . .


    Message 4


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 11:10:06 AM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: AMP 59250 crimper
    At 08:14 AM 2/20/2017, you wrote: >Bob, > >Question on the crimper operation > >I bought one off eBay some time back. I've looked and looked but >can't find any documentation covering the exact use of the 4 >position adjustment screw. I see what it does, just not sure what >position 1-4 corresponds to what crimp. The label is good and >readable. Any guidance you can offer. It sets height of crimp on the INSULATION grip only. For virtually all aircraft wire, leave it on "1". If you have occasion to do a crimp on some wire with obviously thicker insulation (like automotive PVC), some larger setting may produce a better looking grip on the insulation. Bob . . .


    Message 5


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 11:50:21 AM PST US
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    From: C&K <yellowduckduo@gmail.com>
    My Weller solder station uses a magnet attached to the back end of the solder tip. It loses magnetism at the predefined temperature as it heats. That cycles the power to the heater. It is often referred to as the Curie temperature of the magnet according to Wiki. You can change tips for a different temperature. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curie_temperature Ken On 20/02/2017 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: > At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: >> >> My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect >> that Metcal irons use? > > Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip. > The cord out to the tip is multiple > conductors. Replacement heaters > have 4 conductors. > > Emacs! > > Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative > to Metcal. > > I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away > several . . . but depending on my experience over > the next few years with Hakko, I may very well > not replace any Metcal that goes belly up. > > I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder > station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . . > although it appears to incorporate similar > technology. > > The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot- > air station. > > http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5 > > <http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5> Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . > but I've > got a surface-mount assembly project coming up > where I'll try it out with attaching parts with > solder paste. > > The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking > and label removal . . . watch this space . . . > > > Bob . . . >


    Message 6


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 11:56:08 AM PST US
    From: Alec Myers <alec@alecmyers.com>
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    We must have different MetCal soldering irons, then. My handset is connected via an RF connector and a length of heat-resistant coax. The station is a 50Watt 1MHz (I think) RF generator, and the tip selectively absorbs more RF energy as the temperature drops, and yes, it was the Curie point effect that's used. The base station and handset is about USD$1k - but, it's a complete pleasure to use, from the tiniest SMD component to soldering ring terminals on 6, 4 or 2 gauge wire - all equally easy. On 20Feb2017, at 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com> wrote: At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: <alec@alecmyers.com> > > My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Metcal irons use? Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip. The cord out to the tip is multiple conductors. Replacement heaters have 4 conductors. <1bd797ce.jpg> Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative to Metcal. I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away several . . . but depending on my experience over the next few years with Hakko, I may very well not replace any Metcal that goes belly up. I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . . although it appears to incorporate similar technology. The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot- air station. http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5 Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've got a surface-mount assembly project coming up where I'll try it out with attaching parts with solder paste. The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking and label removal . . . watch this space . . . Bob . . .


    Message 7


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 12:41:29 PM PST US
    From: Christopher Cee Stone <rv8iator@gmail.com>
    Subject: metcal solder stations
    I did not know this until Bob started a discussion of solder station technology... ...Chris Stone Curie point vs. conventional hand soldering technology 5 October 2016 <http://www.dataweek.co.za/default.aspx?pklissueid=1134>, *Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services* Information from Thermaltronics. With today=99s delicate and complex electronics, temperature accuracy is a consistent challenge. Component density, lead size and thermally sensitive components all combine to make the demands of process control difficult to meet. Soldering in electronics assembly processes is primarily used to provide a convenient joint or connection to ensure electrical contact. Solders do not typically provide high mechanical strength, given the soft nature of most common solder materials. While many of these soldering processes today are automated, there is still a high demand for hand soldering in the electronics industry, especially for odd sized components, low-volume applications and repair and rework of printed circuit boards. [image: Figure 1. Key elements of a hand soldering process.] Figure 1. Key elements of a hand soldering process. To understand how to make a good solder joint or connection, it is first necessary to understand the conditions necessary to achieve a successful result. Soldering is a process by which two metals are joined together with a third metal or alloy. The third metal or alloy has a much lower melting point compared to the first two metals. In adhesive joining, adhesives bond by mechanical attraction, having to do with the mechanical surface properties of the material being joined, relative to the adhesive. [image: Figure 2. Oxidation is a common problem with conventional soldering iron technology.] Figure 2. Oxidation is a common problem with conventional soldering iron technology. In soldering there is also a chemical reaction in addition to the physical reaction. Therefore, to achieve a good solder joint it is necessary to consider the following: *=A2 Intermetallic layer * *=A2 Solder joint structure * *=A2 Joint temperature (MIL standard)* *=A2 Formation of reliable solder joints * *=A2 Tip temperature vs. joint temperature * *=A2 Maintenance of the soldering profile (as in a reflow oven)* *=A2 Heating technology (high-frequency Curie heating vs. conventiona l ceramic heater technology)* One of the most important considerations in hand soldering is the formation of the intermetallic layer, in other words the chemical joining of the solder, copper and other materials found in the contact area. Without an intermetallic layer there is no valid solder joint, but once created it grows at any temperature and accelerates exponentially as the temperature increases. [image: Figure 3. Circuit diagram representing induction heating process.] Figure 3. Circuit diagram representing induction heating process. In this soldering process, temperature control is paramount since excessive heat (overshoot of temperature) will potentially cause differences in the CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) and result in brittle or stressed joints which are then subject to failure. In general, soldering should be done as quickly as possible, (a 2 =93 5 second window), the lowest possible soldering temperatures should be selected and repeated soldering of the joint should be avoided. Solder joint temperature is, therefore, one of the key elements in ensuring a successful connection. *MIL-STD (military standard)* [image: Table 1. MIL-STD soldering temperatures for various solder formulations.] Table 1. MIL-STD soldering temperatures for various solder formulations. According to commonly adopted MIL-STD standards (see Table 1), joint temperature is the solder melting temperature plus 40=C2=B0C, and the solde r tip touches joint for typically 2-5 seconds. For this reason a soldering iron providing better thermal transfer is capable of using a lower tip temperature to deliver enough thermal energy to form a reliable solder joint. Soldering irons with less efficient thermal transfer properties will require higher temperatures to achieve the same result =93 but at the risk of forming a thicker metallic layer which will be prone to failure under stress and also potentially causing damage to sensitive components and the pad. This requirement for efficient thermal transfer was exemplified in 2003 with the introduction of RoHS and the need to meet the higher demands of lead-free solders. [image: Figure 4. Curie Heat technology avoids the oxidation suffered by conventional soldering iron heating technology.] Figure 4. Curie Heat technology avoids the oxidation suffered by conventional soldering iron heating technology. Most hand soldering iron companies responded by trying to improve heat transfer or by increasing solder melt temperatures. However, in doing so, other problems were created, for example solder splatter, decreased tip life, tip-to-ground resistance issues, tip-to-ground voltage leakage problems, and overshoot of temperature. In part this is due to the design of conventional technology soldering irons which rely on a thermocouple, with a dial or LCD display to control temperature and which require regular calibration to ensure a minimum of accuracy. However, all the problems associated with conventional soldering irons can be avoided by adopting Thermaltronics Curie Heat technology. Those familiar with the phrase =98Curie point=99 will know that every magnetic alloy, when heated, will, at a certain temperature, lose its magnetism. Therefore, by a simple method of using different magnetic alloys, combined with an induction heating process, Thermaltronics has created a range of soldering systems which can meet the soldering demands of but with none of the pitfalls of conventional soldering irons. The heart of the Thermaltronics high-frequency soldering system is the combined tip/cartridge which incorporates the magnetic alloy heater, the centre of which is made of copper. Different magnetic alloys are used to achieve differing temperatures but at idle (while in the soldering stand) the temperature of an individual tip/cartridge will be maintained within the range of =C2=B11,1=C2=B0C. (Temperatures of individual tips will vary d ue to the amount of copper mass but each tip will still maintain its own unique temperature profile within a defined range.) When power is generated from a Thermaltronics power supply, current flows through the handpiece (on the surface of the magnetic alloy) and will, in turn, induce heat. However, once the Curie point is reached and the magnetism is lost, the current can no longer flow and as a consequence the alloy will cool. In so doing the magnetism returns and the heating process starts all over again. Needless to say all this is happening in microseconds and, as shown in Figure 5, it is repeatable and by far the most efficient way to control temperature. Basically it boils down to pure physics, i.e., it is not reliant on dials, thermocouples or other control mechanisms. [image: Figure 5. Illustration of the Curie point heating process.] <http://www.dataweek.co.za/articles/Dataweek%20-%20Published%20by%20Technew s/k3694e.jpg> Figure 5. Illustration of the Curie point heating process. Credit(s) Supplied By: Zetech <http://www.dataweek.co.za/supplier.aspx?buyersguideid=8&acc=0629> Tel: +27 11 789 3230 <+27-11-789-3230> Fax: +27 11 789 3233 Email: zetech@zetech.co.za <zetech@zetech.co.za?subject=Referral from dataweek.co.za&body=Dear Zetech,%0D%0AI read the article %22Curie point v s. conventional hand soldering technology%22 on the Dataweek website (http://www.dataweek.co.za/55659N) and have the following query/comment:%0D%0A%0D%0A> www: www.zetech.co.za


    Message 8


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 12:52:44 PM PST US
    From: "Stein Bruch" <stein@steinair.com>
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    The older Metal's use the multi conductor cable (we have a number of them) and the newer ones use the connector as shown below. Indeed that brand (OKI/Metcal) is one of the better solder stations out there (in my biased opinion)- Weller also makes some really nice solder stations (as does Hakko). We happen to use Metcal's in our shop because that's just what we started with many years ago. That said, none of the higher end units are cheap - and really not something the average consumer really needs at all. There are a pile of sub $200 units out there that will more than work acceptably for the average person not doing production type work. Cheers, Stein From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Alec Myers Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 1:49 PM Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Solder Station We must have different MetCal soldering irons, then. My handset is connected via an RF connector and a length of heat-resistant coax. The station is a 50Watt 1MHz (I think) RF generator, and the tip selectively absorbs more RF energy as the temperature drops, and yes, it was the Curie point effect that's used. The base station and handset is about USD$1k - but, it's a complete pleasure to use, from the tiniest SMD component to soldering ring terminals on 6, 4 or 2 gauge wire - all equally easy. On 20Feb2017, at 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com <mailto:nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com> > wrote: At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: <mailto:alec@alecmyers.com> > My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Metcal irons use? Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip. The cord out to the tip is multiple conductors. Replacement heaters have 4 conductors. <1bd797ce.jpg> Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative to Metcal. I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away several . . . but depending on my experience over the next few years with Hakko, I may very well not replace any Metcal that goes belly up. I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . . although it appears to incorporate similar technology. The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot- air station. http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5 Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've got a surface-mount assembly project coming up where I'll try it out with attaching parts with solder paste. The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking and label removal . . . watch this space . . . Bob . . .


    Message 9


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 01:05:52 PM PST US
    From: Alec Myers <alec@alecmyers.com>
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    Interesting point of comparison: the expensive Metcal station is still only 7 0% of the list price of the AMP crimp tool Bob has been recommending. > On Feb 20, 2017, at 3:49 PM, Stein Bruch <stein@steinair.com> wrote: > > The older Metal=99s use the multi conductor cable (we have a number o f them) and the newer ones use the connector as shown below. Indeed that bra nd (OKI/Metcal) is one of the better solder stations out there (in my biased opinion)=93 Weller also makes some really nice solder stations (as do es Hakko). We happen to use Metcal=99s in our shop because that =99s just what we started with many years ago. That said, none of the highe r end units are cheap =93 and really not something the average consume r really needs at all. There are a pile of sub $200 units out there that wi ll more than work acceptably for the average person not doing production typ e work. > > Cheers, > Stein > > > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelect ric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Alec Myers > Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 1:49 PM > To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Solder Station > > We must have different MetCal soldering irons, then. My handset is connec ted via an RF connector and a length of heat-resistant coax. > The station is a 50Watt 1MHz (I think) RF generator, and the tip selective ly absorbs more RF energy as the temperature drops, and yes, it was the Curi e point effect that's used. > > > <image001.jpg> > > The base station and handset is about USD$1k - but, it's a complete pleasu re to use, from the tiniest SMD component to soldering ring terminals on 6, 4 or 2 gauge wire - all equally easy. > > > On 20Feb2017, at 2:05 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectr ic.com> wrote: > > At 07:42 PM 2/19/2017, you wrote: > > > My bad - it's not the Curie point. anyone know the physical effect that Me tcal irons use? > > Some form of thermo-sensor at the tip. > The cord out to the tip is multiple > conductors. Replacement heaters > have 4 conductors. > > <1bd797ce.jpg> > > Hakko is quite possibly the Pacific Rim alternative > to Metcal. > > I have two Metcal stations left. I've given away > several . . . but depending on my experience over > the next few years with Hakko, I may very well > not replace any Metcal that goes belly up. > > I erred earlier, the second Pacific Rim solder > station I have doesn't have Hakko's name on it . . . > although it appears to incorporate similar > technology. > > The #2 tool is a combination soldering and hot- > air station. > > http://tinyurl.com/j3qosz5 > > Don't have alot of hours on it yet . . . but I've > got a surface-mount assembly project coming up > where I'll try it out with attaching parts with > solder paste. > > The heat wand has proven useful for heat shrinking > and label removal . . . watch this space . . . > > > Bob . . . >


    Message 10


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 04:52:32 PM PST US
    From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" <nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com>
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    At 01:47 PM 2/20/2017, you wrote: > >My Weller solder station uses a magnet attached to the back end of >the solder tip. It loses magnetism at the predefined temperature as >it heats. That cycles the power to the heater. It is often referred >to as the Curie temperature of the magnet according to Wiki. You can >change tips for a different temperature. The Weller WTCPT solder stations go WAaayyyy back. I took a hiatus from Electro-Mech to go work in the video industry. What an education that was! The chief engineer I went to work for had the WTCPT stations in his lab. I was so impressed with them that I fitted every assembly station on the production line with them. When I went back to Electro-Mech a few years later, I hit up the boss about fitting our production line with these leading edge tools. I needed 12 stations and I think they were about $100 each at the time. He balked at that big an expenditure. So I asked him what kind of budget I could have to upgrade the line from the 25w, non-controlled irons. He offered me $600. A few weeks later he came into my office in a bit of a huff wondering where I got off blowing the budget on WTCPT stations. I was a bit taken aback, I in fact spent considerably less than then funds budgeted. I discovered that the station base contained only a 24v, 2A transformer. Replacement wands for the station were $25 or thereabouts. So I went down to Elmer Travis' surplus store on N. Broadway and bought two big honker 24v transformers. I think they were 15A for $20 each. I wired the benches for 24VAC distribution and installed those really cool irons at each work station. I think I got it all done for under $500 including my labor to hook 'em up. I was introduced to Metcal at Beech. But until I too could afford to acquire them, my own benches were fitted with WTCPT repair wands and junk box transformers. Bob . . .


    Message 11


  • INDEX
  • Back to Main INDEX
  • PREVIOUS
  • Skip to PREVIOUS Message
  • NEXT
  • Skip to NEXT Message
  • LIST
  • Reply to LIST Regarding this Message
  • SENDER
  • Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message
    Time: 08:35:37 PM PST US
    From: Art Zemon <art@zemon.name>
    Subject: Re: Solder Station
    Boy I wish I had known this story before I dropped $140 on my own Weller WTCPT station. :-) -- Art Z. On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 6:45 PM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III < nuckolls.bob@aeroelectric.com> wrote: > At 01:47 PM 2/20/2017, you wrote: > > > My Weller solder station uses a magnet attached to the back end of the > solder tip. It loses magnetism at the predefined temperature as it heats. > That cycles the power to the heater. It is often referred to as the Curie > temperature of the magnet according to Wiki. You can change tips for a > different temperature. > > > The Weller WTCPT solder stations go WAaayyyy back. I took > a hiatus from Electro-Mech to go work in the video industry. > What an education that was! The chief engineer I went to > work for had the WTCPT stations in his lab. I was so > impressed with them that I fitted every assembly station > on the production line with them. > > When I went back to Electro-Mech a few years later, I > hit up the boss about fitting our production line with > these leading edge tools. I needed 12 stations and > I think they were about $100 each at the time. > > He balked at that big an expenditure. So I asked him > what kind of budget I could have to upgrade the line > from the 25w, non-controlled irons. > > He offered me $600. > > A few weeks later he came into my office in a bit > of a huff wondering where I got off blowing the > budget on WTCPT stations. I was a bit taken aback, > I in fact spent considerably less than then > funds budgeted. > > I discovered that the station base contained > only a 24v, 2A transformer. Replacement > wands for the station were $25 or thereabouts. > > So I went down to Elmer Travis' surplus store on > N. Broadway and bought two big honker 24v transformers. > I think they were 15A for $20 each. I wired the > benches for 24VAC distribution and installed > those really cool irons at each work station. > I think I got it all done for under $500 including > my labor to hook 'em up. > > I was introduced to Metcal at Beech. But until > I too could afford to acquire them, my own benches > were fitted with WTCPT repair wands and junk box > transformers. > > > Bob . . . > -- https://CheerfulCurmudgeon.com/ *"If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Hillel*




    Other Matronics Email List Services

  • Post A New Message
  •   aeroelectric-list@matronics.com
  • UN/SUBSCRIBE
  •   http://www.matronics.com/subscription
  • List FAQ
  •   http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm
  • Web Forum Interface To Lists
  •   http://forums.matronics.com
  • Matronics List Wiki
  •   http://wiki.matronics.com
  • 7-Day List Browse
  •   http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list
  • Browse AeroElectric-List Digests
  •   http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list
  • Browse Other Lists
  •   http://www.matronics.com/browse
  • Live Online Chat!
  •   http://www.matronics.com/chat
  • Archive Downloading
  •   http://www.matronics.com/archives
  • Photo Share
  •   http://www.matronics.com/photoshare
  • Other Email Lists
  •   http://www.matronics.com/emaillists
  • Contributions
  •   http://www.matronics.com/contribution

    These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.

    -- Please support this service by making your Contribution today! --