Digital clock

[Nick]

I find that my Metcal - when fitted with a ¼" chisel bit - is quite adequate for that job.

Ditto. Love them. Not found an electrical/electronic task that they can handle with ease.

However, without a doubt they come into their own for fine work - their control is phenomenal and they are extremely light as they use RF to heat and control the pen.

I bought mine from a lab closure in the US - then converted them for UK usage. (just changing a few links inside).

The MX-500s are the later version of the STSS-series. The MX-500s (40W max) have in turn been superseded by the MX-5200s (80W max). Just to confuse the issue, OK International (who own Metcal) have re-introduced a new range also called MX-500 which are essentially the old ones with micro-processor rather than analogue control. Even though the wattages may seem on the low side, the energy is delivered with such accuracy over a very controlled area that I've never felt that the pens are under-powered.

As a system for soldering, desoldering and re-work, especially for very fine work - I do mainly SMD stuff down to 0402 (1mm x 0.5mm component size) and chips with pins less then 0.5mm apart - Metcal is the industry standard.