[TowerTalk] soldering station

[Michael Clarson]

Eric: Hexacon is still around. Love their irons. The S series is their
assembly line industrial grade. These are not temp controlled, but the 60
watt one that takes 1/4" tips will do a fine job on PL259s, all day, day
after day. They do cost around $100. --Mike, WV2ZOW

http://www.hexaconelectric.com/

On Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 12:43 PM, K2CB <k2cb at comcast.net> wrote:

> I have been using a Weller WES51D  for years. I must've soldered hundreds
> of PL259 and N connectors. I have a few different style tips on hand, and I
> change the tip according to the job at hand.
>
> I also use the "tin the braid solid and cut it to a clean edge with a
> razor blade" method for PL259s. Then I solder the holes of the connector.
> The main thing is to use good quality silver plated connectors, not the
> garbage typically found at hamfests nowadays. Something like the Amphenol
> 83-1SP, or even the silver connector sold by DX Engineering, which is
> basically a rebranded RF Industries sIlver Teflon PL259. This past fall I
> think I installed close to 60 of the DX Engineering connectors, and I was
> quite satisfied with their quality.
>
> The WES51D always provides enough heat. It is all just a matter of skill
> over time, and selecting the appropriate tip for the job at hand.
>
> There are are a number of style tips available for this particular
> station. I use it for anything from surface mount work to heavy connectors,
> and it just keeps on going. They run about $150. Tips run about $4 each.
>
> My first one lasted about 10 years. The first thing to fail was the cord
> where it enters the pencil. Due to the age, I just found it more
> cost-effective to replace the entire station. My second unit is now about
> five years old, and still running strong. It sees almost daily use.
>
> On another note, about 25 years ago a good friend of mine worked for a
> company called Hexicon Electric in Roselle Park, New Jersey. They made some
> really nice military grade soldering stations in the day. A repair job or
> two would always result in him reciprocating with some nice soldering
> equipment every now and then. Unfortunately, he became a silent key a
> number of years ago, and I think the company eventually had the same
> misfortune. At that point I switched to Weller.
>
> Eric
> K2CB
>
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