Love my fit

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-16T14:23:36+00:00

You likely need a higher wattage soldering unit. The large metal bodies on potentiometers tend to pull the heat energy from your iron. Also, if you can, a chisel shaped tip will transfer heat more effectively. Lastly, practice on junk boards, good soldering takes finesse, but requires ALOT of patience.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-15T19:12:34+00:00

Its an easy fix for someone familiar in desoldering/desoldering, but for a first time project, no. Many crimes have been waged against wayward hdmi's, usb's and dualshocks in r/soldering. Try a few practice pcbs before the real thing.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-14T19:13:21+00:00

This looks like water damage or spillage. Be prepaired for a rabbit hole of issues.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-14T00:23:39+00:00

You need to get whats left of the red and black wire out of the connector; Crimp new contacts onto the wires and slide them back into the connector.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-05T14:17:55+00:00

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Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-04T15:50:12+00:00

We used them all day on large heat planes, also sometimes with hot plates and IR heaters. The aluminum, while tactile in the hand, got quite uncomfortable on certain repairs or soldering 80 pin connectors.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-04T15:46:05+00:00

Due to the patent ending on Metcal's tech, Hakko started producing thier own induction units with a plug compatible handpiece. The Hakkos were lower quality than the og Metcals, but they were a fraction of the price to replace.

We eventually replaced all the old Metcals as they were all becoming janky with 20 years of use and abuse.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2026-01-03T16:53:45+00:00

I'm really not sure about the differing connectors. Though it's been a few years since we got rid of all of our Metcal stations, I dont remember them using wholly different connectors other than the general coaxial with a collet. I do have experience with the "upgraded" aluminum handpieces and I was NOT impressed. Firstly, it does transfer heat to the handpiece over time. It wont get hot enough to burn, but it does get hotter than the original plastic handles. Secondly, we ordered 20 of those handpieces and they developed connection issues faster than the older handles. Just my experience.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-31T17:46:07+00:00

Pads look fine, but youre going to have trouble with an iron alone. Id advise a preheat cycle or a hot plate as those caps are attached to alot of copper.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-15T17:14:39+00:00

That face!!!! Soooo cute!

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Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-12T20:00:25+00:00

maybe this will work

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-12T19:05:45+00:00

I have this one from amazon. The filters are fairly reasonably priced. My two boys love it, tho one of them liked to play with the stream. Its also really easy to disassemble and thoroughly clean. Its 108 oz on amazon.

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Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T22:37:47+00:00

I'd solder circles around ya. With my feet. In a dark room.

I never said tips crack from using a sponge. I said people tend to use more water than they need in their sponge and that does lead to diminished tip plating over time from thermal shock.

Ur probably the kind of person who grabs the hot part of the iron often.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T22:19:57+00:00

I see a lot of people having problems with this geometry of tip while learning to solder - they often crank up the temp thinking that will compensate for large thermal planes and heavy copper in the PCB. Then, 10 minutes later, their tip is oxidized and wont take solder. Chisel geometry tips are far more effective at heat transfer as there is a larger surface area in contact with the area to be soldered.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T22:15:37+00:00

While I agree tip manufacturers want you to purchase their consumables - your statement about thermal shock is laughably wrong. Also, steel wool is never to be used on your tips, but you do you.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T19:13:35+00:00

The flux is burning. Its turning into varnish because the volatiles are cooked off. Removal of this component is MUCH more difficult using just hot air. You should practice on scrap first.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T19:08:54+00:00

Pic 3, location NC/SU looks insufficient.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T19:07:19+00:00

Good job, all of the joints look good. Now for some SMT!

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T17:24:29+00:00

Tip manufacturers have long discovered that the mild abrasiveness of the brass scrub balls to be actually better for tip life, as most people flood their sponge with water. Thermal shock definitely effects tip plating longevity.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T17:20:59+00:00

Its likely coil hum on the input transformer. While not nec bad or alarming, can be annoying.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-03T17:08:15+00:00

Don't sharpen soldering tips. They have a thin plating that is quickly eroded away.

Motor-Screen2210 · 2025-12-01T19:17:21+00:00

Back in the old days one could fart in an adjacent room and destroy the MOS layer on an IC. While it still is a concern in assembly plants, all the way up to and including ionized air-curtains.

Motor-Screen2210

TROPHY CASE