Thermaltronics TMT-9000S-2 Soldering System

[metalphreak]

http://www.thermaltronics.com/products.php

Review on Overclockers Australia
http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=971697

http://www.chemtools.com.au/

Chemtools are offering a group buy price to OCAU members which is $396 inc delivery in Australia.

Just thought I'd mention it here if anyone is interested. You can probably contact them directly and get the same deal. Looks like a pretty nice unit. If I had $400 spare I'd be all over it 

[mikeselectricstuff]

Apparently Thermaltronics was started by some former Metcal people when the patent ran out. The tips are compatible  with Metcal.
$400 is certainly a great price for what is basically an MX-5000 clone

[robrenz]

Until yesterday I never heard of JBC soldering stations but I saw it on this thread https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=990.0  After looking at the specs it looks like this outperforms all other irons in thermal recovery as shown in this  http://www.howardelectronics.com/jbc/images/performance-comparison_1209.pdf   It has very quick one hand tip change even while tips are hot.  It also will make Dave very happy since it has adjustable temperature.  This also means you only have to have one tip of a particular shape  instead of the various temperatures of the same tip.  They have as extensive an array of tips as Metcal.  I was so impressed with the specs I ordered a CD-1BB model yesterday $396.00 US with free shipping.  It will arrive today.  I am not a fanboy yet but you should certainly take a look at this unit before buying a station.

[metalphreak]

Apparently Thermaltronics was started by some former Metcal people when the patent ran out. The tips are compatible  with Metcal.
$400 is certainly a great price for what is basically an MX-5000 clone

Yep sounds about right. The Chemtools rep posted a fair bit in the group buy thread, but you have to have been a member for at least 3 months to read that section of the forums.

• MX5000 and the TMT-9000S are both 13.56Mhz RF power supplies and spare parts and tips are compatible with each other
• Both systems have several years warranties
• Both systems are dual switchable systems
• Both systems have the capabilities to add through hole desoldering and surface mount tweezers handpieces

Having used and supplied both products over the years, the MX5000 is a higher power system than the TMT-9000S. Although, this extra power is unnoticed when using fine tips for surface mount because the tips are so fine they are limited to the amount of power they draw.

For very heavy applications when used with very large chisel tips, the MX5000 will have the ability to draw more power than the TMT-9000S. In saying that, I have not found an application yet, were the extra power that the MX5000 possesses has been necessary.

As you mentioned the MX-5000’s are lot more expensive and I think an over kill for 95% of most applications. With the MX5000’s price ranging from $750.00 up to $950.00 you are paying extra for a brand name and this then puts the unit out of most people price range.

With 650+ TMT-9000S sold in Australia alone over the past 12 months, the TMT-9000S is priced very well for the performance and options that it provides and is fast becoming the technicians first choice for benchtop soldering equipment.

[aokman]

i just ordered one of these units myself with some tips. Will report back about how it goes compared to my Hakko was a good deal in any case