Bench Multimeter for £30

[Jonathan]

These are my most recent choices:



I got the JBC soldering iron after using some in the lab. I've been doing a LOT of soldering recently. They are so nice to use I couldn't resist. It heats up faster than you can pick the iron from the stand and move it to the PCB on your desk. I can't fault it at all, but even now I've had it for a few months I'm not sure if I should have got it - just so expensive, even via eBay as this one was.

Also pictured are two desoldering options - the ZD-985 is a relatively low cost one with a vacuum pump, which is good but the guns are a bit delicate. I mainly got it because I soldered about 100 fake transistors on to something. Otherwise, for most thing's you're good with a conventional pump, but heated. You can get those for £6 here - well worth it.

I do have an antex iron aswell - had it practically since I was in nappies. Several new tips and a new element, but it's still the same iron ;)



Regarding flexible cables - you can buy the cable separately:

https://www.rapidonline.com/Antex-W0...rSearchScope=1

For bigger stuff I use this:

http://cpc.farnell.com/weller/sp80nu...-uk/dp/SD01900

Buy a few and you can solder very big stuff:



If all you're doing is soldering for CNC machines, I don't see much point in getting anything fancy - it's only really worthwhile if you're soldering delicate PCBs, or just doing an awful lot of soldering. Just make sure you have an iron with enough power to deal with the bigger wires and connectors, but not something that will make a mess of anything more delicate.

[John S]

I do have an antex iron aswell - had it practically since I was in nappies.

So you have had it a month then ?

[cropwell]

I do have an antex iron as well - had it practically since I was in nappies.

I have just taken delivery of the new Antex TCS50 - and I'm probably going back to being in nappies soon

Silicone lead is quite a bit more flexible than my older Antex and it does 0 - 300 in 45 seconds with a 6mm bit on it, so I am happy (well not a miserable as I normally am !)

Cheers,

Rob

[Boyan Silyavski]

Guys, just buying cables for servo encoders and discovered this gem, getting 10m for all my stuff and if happy will change even drills and so cables.

http://www.tme.eu/en/Document/a3f4a2...-008__SiHF.pdf

I chose the 3x0.75mm silicone Helukabel cable

SIHF3X0.75

for about less than euro per meter. At same time en ebay or elsewhere at least 6euro per meter similar cables. There is a bit thinner one at 0.5mm per core which could be more suitable. 180C i think is ok given that its flexible which is more important

[cropwell]

I know this is an old thread, but the Antex TCS50 I ordered in August 2016 has just gone bang in my hand. The silicone cable flexes too much near the exit from the iron and the conductors broke, so I took the iron to pieces and resoldered the slightly shorter lead (Thanks to the Antex iron I bought in 1978). I must have overheated something as it worked for a while, before filling the inside of the handle with black whiffle dust.

[the great waldo]

Antex had a load of problems with the tcs 50 irons (Chinese made) Luckily they honour their guarantee and send replacements. I had 2 go south one straight from the box but the latest batch of replacements have worked fine so far, and when working they work great. Although if one conks out again i'll bite the bullet and get one of these https://www.conrad.com/ce/en/product...450-C?ref=list The Ersa tips virtually last forever. I'd be curious to know what the coating is on their bits that stops them pitting.
Cheers

Andrew

[cropwell]

I don't expect a new one from Antex, this one was two years old and I attempted to repair it. Still, a reel of solder would be a nice token gesture.

[the great waldo]

I don't expect a new one from Antex, this one was two years old and I attempted to repair it. Still, a reel of solder would be a nice token gesture.

Hi Cropwell
Send it back to them and they will most likely stand by thier product and send you a replacement. I've been using antex irons for 40 years and have always been well happy with them!
Cheers.
Andrew

Sent from my XT1580 using Tapatalk

[Boyan Silyavski]

Next time buy the Chinese one i bought. No problems so far.

[cropwell]

Send it back to them and they will most likely stand by thier product and send you a replacement.

I emailed the Sales Manager at Antex and he asked me to send the defunct iron back to them, which I have done. They have also taken on board my suggestion that the flex grommet should be longer and more flexible (as in the older model TC50W) as the silicone lead is more pliable and likely to have the conductors fail, as mine did (just after the flex grommet).

I have already replaced the dead iron but maybe they will respond with a new iron, then I will have three. Won't that boost my productivity.