N8YX
02-24-2013, 09:50 AM
Back story:
I recently got hold of one each used Pace PPS-400 and PPS-85A rework stations (minus handpieces...of course) and began to search for information on the various accessories, tips and other consumables which are used by the setups.
In doing so, I discovered the YouTube video linked below. Granted, there is a lot of equipment-specific jargon being thrown about by the presenter - he obviously loves his employer and its products - but the same principles apply to any of the various manufacturers' basic equipment types: Soldering pens, powered vacuum desoldering equipment, hot-air pens, hot tweezers and vacuum assisted chip extractors.
Having watched the entire video, the following recommendation is made: Buy the highest-end equipment you can afford, even if it's a used station plus accessories. Almost all of the commercial grade gear can be rebuilt if needed and the quality is far higher than most bargain equipment. And you can get replacement parts...
In the commercial arena, Pace, Metcal and JBC are it. Each has its loyal group of followers - much as Ford, Chevy and Chrysler have theirs.
Next in line are the high-end hobbyist/occasional-use industrial setups. Of these, Weller and Hakko appear to have the widest accessory and spare parts support.
I'm sold on Pace. That stuff will bankrupt me yet but if the job absolutely, positively HAS to be done right they arguably offer the most versatile setups on the market. A complete PRC-2000 package plus accessories (new) can easily fetch over $4000. A bit steep for the home user but worth every penny if you're doing lots of SMT work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0wI-5YZQm4
I recently got hold of one each used Pace PPS-400 and PPS-85A rework stations (minus handpieces...of course) and began to search for information on the various accessories, tips and other consumables which are used by the setups.
In doing so, I discovered the YouTube video linked below. Granted, there is a lot of equipment-specific jargon being thrown about by the presenter - he obviously loves his employer and its products - but the same principles apply to any of the various manufacturers' basic equipment types: Soldering pens, powered vacuum desoldering equipment, hot-air pens, hot tweezers and vacuum assisted chip extractors.
Having watched the entire video, the following recommendation is made: Buy the highest-end equipment you can afford, even if it's a used station plus accessories. Almost all of the commercial grade gear can be rebuilt if needed and the quality is far higher than most bargain equipment. And you can get replacement parts...
In the commercial arena, Pace, Metcal and JBC are it. Each has its loyal group of followers - much as Ford, Chevy and Chrysler have theirs.
Next in line are the high-end hobbyist/occasional-use industrial setups. Of these, Weller and Hakko appear to have the widest accessory and spare parts support.
I'm sold on Pace. That stuff will bankrupt me yet but if the job absolutely, positively HAS to be done right they arguably offer the most versatile setups on the market. A complete PRC-2000 package plus accessories (new) can easily fetch over $4000. A bit steep for the home user but worth every penny if you're doing lots of SMT work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0wI-5YZQm4