Digital clock

[Nick]

Here we go

Heh

I only use Metcal because I'm doing most very fine SMT work (as I mentioned above). For almost every single amateur (and a lot of professionals too), Metcals are not necessary - businesses will amortise the cost over three years anyway, so aren't bothered.

BTW., they do have temperature control - its built into the RF characteristics of the tip - the tips are preset for different temperatures - you buy tips based on both their temperature and shape - the temperature is generally set to whatever solder mix you are using, normally a SAC alloy at about 220C - this is 37C higher than the old 63/37 SnPb eutectic mix (183C), so the move to RoHS meant that all commercial shops had to renew their bits.... not to mention everyone having to have higher-temperature-resistant components so that they survive flow and IR soldering...

I have a couple of 100 tips - bought a job lot about 10 years ago for peanuts when a lot of labs were closing - I fully agree that to buy new, they're not cheap. Annoyingly, they are all pre-RoHS, so I've had to buy some new ones to re-work modern SAC-soldered boards.

Metcal also have a full service center in the UK - spares are available on eBay and elsewhere as well.

Nuff of all this! Each to their own