Soldering station for precision applications

Soldering station for precision applications
Posted by kcs on 03 Jun, 2015 21:17
I want to buy a good quality soldering station for precision soldering applications. After reading a lot of opinions in this forum and some others I came to conclusion that it should be either Ersa i-CON 1, Weller WX 1011, JBC CD-2SD or something from Metcal. I don't like Ersa i-CON series and Metcal, so I will eliminate them. I have observed that a lot of people are complaining about Weller and its recent decline in quality, but I have suspicions that not always apples are compared to apples. Usually, they don't specify if they have in mind Active-Tip, Power-Response or Silver-Line irons and their tips and if they are talking about WX, WD or even older stations. So, I want to ask specifically - has anyone tried WX power station and WXMP iron and has any complaints about those two items? Why would I want to choose JBC CD-2SD over Weller WX 1011?

Also, where would you recommend buying JBC production from (in Europe)? There is no local JBC distributor in my country.

#2 Reply
Posted by JackP on 03 Jun, 2015 21:35
Most high end brands (Hakko, Ersa, Metcal, JBC...) have a specific hand piece for precision work. It's down to other factors that you decide on which one you like (you won't regret anything really from the major brands).

#3 Reply
Posted by agehall on 03 Jun, 2015 22:56
I just recently got myself a Weller WX2022 kit and if you ask me, it is an awesome tool. Never tried any other high quality station, but there is nothing wrong with this one.

Plan is to do a short review of it on YouTube as soon as time permits...

#5 Reply
Posted by kcs on 04 Jun, 2015 13:41
john_p_wi, the major thing I don't like - fixed temps, there are some other minor things as well.

agehall, I would appreciate if you could do a short review any time soon.

#6 Reply
Posted by con-f-use on 04 Jun, 2015 16:52
I like my WX station from Weller. The WXMP soldering pen, has a good selection of very fine tips. It is, however, on the pricey side but not as much as JBC that has been suggested.

#7 Reply
Posted by john_p_wi on 04 Jun, 2015 17:02
Quote from: kcs on 04 Jun, 2015 13:41
the major thing I don't like - fixed temps, there are some other minor things as well.

OK, thanks. Funny, thats what I like about Metcal. When using it with eutectic solder you have the same consistent performance, of course one has to use the appropriate tip for the application to appreciate this.

#8 Reply
Posted by John Coloccia on 04 Jun, 2015 22:42
I've used or owned most everything. My main station is now a JBC. Easily the best station I've ever used.

#9 Reply
Posted by zapta on 05 Jun, 2015 01:01
If you want a good soldering station, make sure to pick one that allows quick tip changing. Matching the tip to the job is important for quality work.

#10 Reply
Posted by savril on 05 Jun, 2015 01:33
As you are posting in the Beginners forum, I would ask "Are you sure you need a precision solder station ?".
I'm a beginner and when I was searching for a solder station, I though I would need a precision station to do SMD. I finally bought a JBC CD2B and I'm very happy with it.
The cartridge you can have in the C245 format go as low as 0.3 mm in conical and 0.6 mm in chisel. For the CD-S (C210 cartridge), it go to 0.1 mm in conical and 0.2 mm in chisel.
I do CMS up to 0603 and I mostly use the chisels in 2.2mm, sometime in 1.2mm. I bought the 0.6mm chisel but I found it too small for my use. So I guess I can do 0402 without problem with the CD2B (other than the problems happening between the chair and the iron).
I don't know what user of precision stations do with them but I would guess it is to solder 0201 and below under microscope.

#11 Reply
Posted by kwass on 05 Jun, 2015 04:08
I love my Weller WSM 1C. Instant heat, instant tip changes, incredibly precise control and it's cordless when needed.