[Amps] Metcal soldering iron and microscopes

[jeff millar]

> Obviously, any gadget that operates by **RF POWER** can't be bad... but
> what's especially good about soldering with a Metcal?

Three points, I think
    Generate the heat very close to the tip...with very little thermal
resistance between heat source and tip.
    Temperature regulation, power proportional to load
    Very little thermal mass, very short thermal time constant, warm up in
seconds

This means even a very small tip will have high wattage and have the power
heat a rather large mass.

Most soldering irons rely on excess temperature and heat transfer from a
large thermal mass to the object.  This make soldering time very
proportional to thermal mass of the object, and small objects subject to
over temperature stress.

jeff, wa1hco