++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 07:34:12 -0500 From: Tom Hammond =?iso-8859-1?Q?N=D8SS?= Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Edsyn soldering station Paul: >Does anyone on the list have experience with the Edsyn soldering station >(Mod. #951SX) that is on sale at Radio Shack dot com. If so, how do you >think it compares with the Weller WTCTP? The statistics given in the ad are >decent but I'm more concerned about reliability and human engineering such >as is it well balanced? > >Your comments are greatly appreciated. EDSYN is a very old and well respected manufacturer of soldering equipment! While I have no specific experience with this particular product, I suspect it will work well for you. But before you buy, check on sources for the economical acquisition of tips... you'll probably want an assortment to match several types (widths, that its, generally chisel-point work the best) of soldering job. FLASH...!!! Just looked into my 'library' of books and catalogs and found an Edsyn catalog. The 951SX has a 95W heater!!! WOW! That's a LOT of available heat!!! Should do REALLY exceptional for ensuring that your tip is ALWAYS up to temp, even under the most rigorous soldering applications. Additionally, they have a fairly wide assortment of available tips, although the larger (wider) tips will require a different 'holding sleeve'. Not sure of the price of the larger sleeve, it IS available. Tips ARE available: price $5-$7 each. depending upon source... PERSONALLY(!) I'd buy the Edsyn over the WTCPT HANDS DOWN!!! Why would ANYONE want to have to change tips in order to change heat ranges when they can merely do it fro the front panel? And the Weller won't even come CLOSE to being able to keep up with the temperature recovery ability of the Edsyn. I happen to have the mil-spec version of the WTCPT, the WTCPK, which includes DEsoldering (kinda) tools, so I know from where I speak. I DO NOT use the WTCPK unless I'm taking it on a trip!!! PLEASE NO FLAMES from WTCPT aficionados! To my (failing) mind it's a no-brainer!!! 73 - Tom Hammond N0SS ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 10:54:48 -0400 From: "Steve Ray" Subject: [Elecraft] Edsyn soldering station I have both a Edsyn soldering station which I bought on sale to build my K2 and also a Ungar Soldering Station, (similar to the Weller as you must change tips to change temp). In fact it works fine with the Weller tips. I use the Edsyn for fine work with a small spade tip on building the K2, but found a needle tip worked better on building the SSB, NB, AT, etc. modules. I really like the temperature control on the Edsyn. On the Ungar I use a 700 degree, chisel tip about 3/16 across for big stuff (connectors etc.) I found the Ungar with the chisel tip is ideal for removing and tinning the insulation on the toriods for the K2. You can fine the Ungar used at hamfests for about $25.00. Some advice, don't buy used tips for the Ungars or Wellers they are usually bad. I bought three used ones for a buck a piece at a hamfest and when I tried to use them they all became red hot. Apparently the temperature control was stuck in them. New tips usually go for about $3.00 and are worth it. Just a side note, I used the Kester solder with 2% silver for my K2 and really like it. Very easy to clean up the flux as it seems to be low flux. Just let the solder joint cool down and the flux easily scrapes off. 72, Steve Ray K4JPN ex K1VKW HW-101, HW-8, Elecraft K2 1422 HeathKit fan EM82fp Warner Robins GA ++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 09:42:49 -0600 From: mike Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Edsyn soldering station At 05:13 08/18/2001, you wrote: >Does anyone on the list have experience with the Edsyn soldering station >(Mod. #951SX) I purchased mine a little over 2 years ago, in preparation for the K2. It was through TechAmerica (ancestor of RS.com), for 1/2 price. I later picked up additional tips for it for around $5. I believe Mouser may also carry Edsyn tips - I know I've seen them in at least one major catalog. As Tom N0SS noted, having used the Edsyn, I find it odd that people have to change tips to change the heat on their Weller's. The Edsyn has the temp knob right on the front - dial up whatever you want with whatever tip you need! Although I haven't had the need for them, the 951SX also has a wide variety of SMT tips available. I find it very nice to work with - nice light & padded iron, stable base with cords of good lengths. It has the ability to calibrate it as well, if you have the equipment to do so. If you're careful, you can change tips on the run, too, using a pair of pliers. The manual lists a variety of replacement parts for it, too, should you ever break something. All in all, I'm quite satisfied for my $75 + a few extra tips! I strongly recommend it. All the usual disclaimers apply. 73, Mike Boice, KW1ND Nampa, Idaho ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 22:07:31 -0400 From: John & Esther Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Edsyn soldering station Paul (and list), My company has about 10 to 15 Edsyn 951SX stations. I've found them to be reliable (we did have one fail on the shop floor - literally, as it we dropped on a concrete floor - we replaced the handle portion and it's working fine). I've used Weller products for most of my career (as an engineer, not an assembly person - so my experience is in prototyping and not production work). The Edsyn iron works just as well as the Weller units I've used, costs less and is the fastest heating iron I've ever used (ready to solder in about 30 seconds - really!). The units are temperature calibrated and static safe. We've been using the Edsyn's for about 2 years. I have mine on several days a week for the full day. Edsyn has a good selection of tips, including a high thermal mass tip for the 951SX that is great for heavier work (like connectors and large terminal strips). We got started using the Edsyn irons when I found them at the Shelby Hamfest (Shelby, NC) for $70 each. Another engineer I work with bought one serveral years back and was very pleased so I bought 5 of them and took them to work. We've doubled the number since then, based on the good performance. Note that Edsyn sells all the parts for the iron as spares (they give you an exploded view of the iron with a full parts list). We purchased some of ours through Carlton-Bates. The ones I bought at Shelby (still kicking myself for not cleaning the guy out) were being sold by Tech America - which now seems to have become a part of Radio Shack. I would note that one of our techs prefers Weller sponges to the one that comes with the Edsyn. I would agree that the Weller sponge works good, but I've been ok with the Edsyn sponge. He just uses the Weller sponge in the Edsyn holder. The Edsyn iron has a plastic ring that holds the tip assembly on. Some of them require periodic tightening (every few days), something I've not seen on a Weller iron. But I've also seen Weller irons that have corroded at the same tip holder ring, making getting the tip off a real chore. I don't know what plastic Edsyn uses, but it is some tough stuff. The Edsyn also has a housing (again, plastic) around the iron with a paper filter that cuts down on solder smoke while the iron is idle. The nice thing is that the plastic ring that holds the tip on can be touched even after the iron has been on for hours. I frequently change tips to do surface mount parts, so that makes the change over quick and easy. The handle has a nice feel, is padded and about the right length. Not much different than a Weller, except I've haven't had the rubber pad come loose on the handle on my Edsyn, something that seemed to happen a lot on the Weller I had. Note that my experience with the Weller goes back to the magnetic tip type irons (WCTCP series I think). I will say I've seen Weller around shops and at work that are years old and still kicking, so they make a great iron - but not inexpensive. For the money, the Edysn is a great deal. I borrowed a 951SX from work to build my K2. No compliants here. Note: Usual disclaimers - I don't work for Edsyn, I'm just a lowly engineer, blah, blah... John WB4VLQ K2 SN 1766 +++++++++++++++++++++++