[TowerTalk] Soldering Stations

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

On 7/28/2015 8:56 AM, Paul Christensen wrote:
> Been enjoying the discussion...
>
> Questions concerning the Metcal heating technology:  (1) In the event the RF
> heating element fails, what is the typical replacement cost?; and (2) should
> the RF heating element last longer than traditional controlled temperature
> elements as used by Weller, Hakko, and others?
>
> Paul, W9AC
>

Good question.  A Metcal factory rep told me that the secret to long
life for Metcal tips is to use almost no water on the sponge.
If fact, better to wipe the tip with a dry paper towel.  If you
hear a sizzling sound when you clean the tip, you are using way
too much water and causing a severe thermal transient that will
over time if done repeatedly destroy the tip.  This failure
mechanism is specific to Metcal.  AFAIK, you can dunk Weller tips
in water all day long without damage.

Simply leaving the tip on 24/7 (not recommended) gradually erodes
the metal on the tip the same way it does on any iron.

In normal use, the tips last about the same as any other iron.
The lower temperature ones last longer.

Rick N6RK