Soldering Iron (cheap but good)

[Murray Leshner]

Only comment on $3 irons is whether or not they are ESD-safe...and what
stray voltage might be at the tip.

I have no idea if it can be objectionable, but that is something that is
defined, specified and measured on the low voltage (typ 24 V) irons.

PLenty of places where these economical irons are fine, but if you're doing
microelectronics, be aware of this parameter and decide whether it applies
to you.

Here's a helpful Hint & Kink kinda thing - it anyone still has the thread in
tip Ungar kind of heating elements...I needed a replacement tip one and
found that the threaded-end copper rod used to life many toilet tank floats
had the same thread and I used one once - had to file the desired shape, it
wasn't plated, and thus didn't last long, but long enough.

I note you use of the politically correct terminology for side cutters :O).


Murray





>From: Malcolm Leonard <radiorepair at MINDSPRING.COM>
>Reply-To: Malcolm Leonard <radiorepair at MINDSPRING.COM>
>To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
>Subject: Re: Soldering Iron (cheap but good)
>Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 02:10:35 -0700
>
>There was a time when,for all paractical purposes,only two quality levels
>exitsted in the world of hand tools.
>1.Good stuff made in the USA.
>2.Lousy stuff made in Asia.
>
>This was also true of guitars,at one time,by the way,and probably a lot of
>other things I am not familiar with.
>
>But,in recent times,foreign (Asian)companies have introduced an ***in
>between*** level of hand tool quality.
>Sometimes these foreign tools sell under famous American brand names(this
>is
>also true of some power tools..check out Delta,for example.) and are also
>available (at much less cost )under "unknown" brand names.
>Now,a given pair of side cutters,for example,may sell for $8.00 under a
>known US name,and sell for $2.98 under the
>Asian name.Same tool......folks......*same*tool..
>
>**However***the above mentioned side cutters under the American brand name
>will very likely display a higher level of quality control as regards how
>closely the cutting edges fit together.
>All this means is that All tolls vary in quality(even  very expensive ones)
>but you pay more if more time is spent by the maker of that tool separating
>the wheat from the chafff,because they have to pay somebody to inspect this
>stuff and they have to toss out a higher percentage of it if it  is sold
>under the famous American name.
>So,low price tools are very often just as good...**if** you take the time
>to
>go through a few and check them more carefully than you normally would
>check
>an American branded tool.
>I have no doubt the soldering iron mentioned works great.Soldering irons
>are
>pretty simple to begin with.
>
>Probably what has happened is the purchaser got himself a real deal because
>the name on his iron is relatively unknown.
>Furthermore....considering the low price,if he gets two years of use from
>it
>he is still ahead of the game.
>And one , more thing...have you checked the price of replacement tips for
>the famous name irons,lately?
>Probably cheaper to discard this iron and buy a new one rather than replace
>the tip on a more costly iron.
>Malcolm Leonard
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Neil Morrison" <neilsmorr at HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: <HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV>
>Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 9:30 AM
>Subject: Re: Soldering Iron (cheap but good)
>
>
> > FWIW, I've seen somewhat similar items at the dollar stores. This one
> > may be better quality than those, but to each his own taste!
> >
> > Neil
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Glen Zook" <gzook at YAHOO.COM>
> >
> >
> > > About a week ago I was in one of those stores that
> > > sell over-runs, etc., called "Big Lots".  This is a
> > > national chain and can be found around many
> > > metropolitan centers.  I came across a 30 watt
> > > soldering iron sold under the brand name "Hobby House"
> > > that had a price tag of $2.98.  This is a 30 watt iron
> > > and comes with a very simple stand.
> > > ...
> >
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