Electrical Engineering - Pace soldering stations?

Author

Pace soldering stations?

DaveC

2006-05-05, 4:21 am

I'm looking at a used Pace temp-control soldering station model ST45. I did a
usenet search this model and came up empty. This seems quite odd.

If you have experience with this model, I'd like to hear about it.

What do you like about it? Don't like about it?

Thanks,
--
DaveC
me@privacy.net
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Thomas Hejl

2006-05-05, 7:21 am

Dave,
So as not to keep you hanging, I work for a small business in the Northwest
that has several Pace units on inventory. I will see what is there and get
back to you ASAP.

Tom

"DaveC" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C0803EDE01DCC4B9F02845B0@news.readfreenews.net...
> I'm looking at a used Pace temp-control soldering station model ST45. I
did a
> usenet search this model and came up empty. This seems quite odd.
>
> If you have experience with this model, I'd like to hear about it.
>
> What do you like about it? Don't like about it?
>
> Thanks,
> --
> DaveC
> me@privacy.net
> This is an invalid return address
> Please reply in the news group
>

g. beat

2006-05-05, 10:21 am

"DaveC" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C0803EDE01DCC4B9F02845B0@news.readfreenews.net...
> I'm looking at a used Pace temp-control soldering station model ST45. I
> did a
> usenet search this model and came up empty. This seems quite odd.
>
> If you have experience with this model, I'd like to hear about it.
>
> What do you like about it? Don't like about it?
>
> Thanks,
> --
> DaveC
> me@privacy.net
> This is an invalid return address
> Please reply in the news group
>

Pace Corporate Web Page
http://www.paceworldwide.com/

Yes, this is Pace's equivalent to Weller (WESD51) and Haako (937?) of
similar configuration (Digital temperature readout).
Good station. Case was thermoplastic. Model has been superseded by ST-50
(IntelliHeat Control Technology).
ST-45 system is supplied with PS-90 (SensaTemp model).

Here is Pace Direct web site (direct sales / orders)
http://www.pacedirect.com/

Pace Manuals (list)
http://www.pacedirect.com/documents...=19&submit.y=10

ST-45 Manual
http://www.pacedirect.com/documents...45%20Manual.pdf

Looking for a Pace dealer / representative / distributor ?
http://www.paceworldwide.com/repsHome.asp

g. beat

DaveC

2006-05-05, 2:21 pm

Thus spake g. beat:

> Pace Corporate Web Page http://www.paceworldwide.com/

Yes, I saw the web site.

Google is not always The Answer.

I searched *usenet* to find discussions of this model in *news groups*. I'm
trying to get a bead on whether this is a good unit (I'm sure the Pace pages
will say "yes!") or something to avoid.

Looking for *experiences* with this model, or Pace stations in general.
--
DaveC
me@privacy.net
This is an invalid return address
Please reply in the news group

Nico Coesel

2006-05-05, 3:21 pm

DaveC <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>Thus spake g. beat:
>
>
>Yes, I saw the web site.
>
>Google is not always The Answer.
>
>I searched *usenet* to find discussions of this model in *news groups*. I'm
>trying to get a bead on whether this is a good unit (I'm sure the Pace pages
>will say "yes!") or something to avoid.
>
>Looking for *experiences* with this model, or Pace stations in general.

They are expensive, but they do have a lot of special soldering tips
for repair. OTOH, you'll only need special tools when you are working
on a board with components on both sides and need to remove a
component without destroying it. When working at one of my previous
employers I had access to a Pace soldering station but I found my own
tricks worked much faster than setting up the Pace.

If you are looking for just a soldering iron, I can recommend Ersa.
Their soldering tips last much longer than the ones from Weller. Ersa
also carries special tips for soldering fine pitch.

--
Reply to nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
Bedrijven en winkels vindt U op www.adresboekje.nl

DaveC

2006-05-05, 3:21 pm

Thus spake Nico Coesel:

> They are expensive, but they do have a lot of special soldering tips
> for repair. OTOH, you'll only need special tools when you are working
> on a board with components on both sides and need to remove a
> component without destroying it. When working at one of my previous
> employers I had access to a Pace soldering station but I found my own
> tricks worked much faster than setting up the Pace.

Nico,
I know very little about this topic, other than soldering regular pcbs
(non-SMD).

If you wouldn't mind, would you explain what you mean about why you need
special tips or tools if pcb has components on both sides? And what are your
own tricks?

Thanks,
--
DaveC
me@privacy.net
This is an invalid return address
Please reply in the news group

Nico Coesel

2006-05-05, 7:21 pm

DaveC <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>Thus spake Nico Coesel:
>
>
>Nico,
>I know very little about this topic, other than soldering regular pcbs
>(non-SMD).
>
>If you wouldn't mind, would you explain what you mean about why you need
>special tips or tools if pcb has components on both sides? And what are your
>own tricks?

Pace sells special tips for removing ICs in surface mounted packages.
They also have a tweezer like soldering iron (in fact 2 irons in one)
with which you can solder both joints of SMT resistors and capacitors
at once.

For soldering fine pitch I use a hollow tip (which is available from
any major soldering iron manufacturor). It takes some practice, but it
is manageble.

I remove fine pitch chips from epoxy (FR4) PCBs by heating the PCB
-carefully- with a paint stripper. This is non-destructive for the
component.

Desoldering fine pitch chips on a board with componentes on both sides
is more tricky (and destructive for the component) since the paint
stripper method won't work. I run a enamel copper wire underneath the
pins. Next I attach the wire to a component or via somewhere on the
board. Finally I heat the pads one by one and gently pull the pins
from the pads by pulling the copper wire. This method puts very little
strain on the pads of the PCB so it can also be used on paper based
PCBs. However, all the pins on the package get bend.

--
Reply to nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
Bedrijven en winkels vindt U op www.adresboekje.nl

g. beat

2006-05-05, 9:21 pm

"DaveC" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C080D4E201EB4523F02845B0@news.readfreenews.net...
> Thus spake g. beat:
>
>
> Yes, I saw the web site.
>
> Google is not always The Answer.
>
> I searched *usenet* to find discussions of this model in *news groups*.
> I'm
> trying to get a bead on whether this is a good unit (I'm sure the Pace
> pages
> will say "yes!") or something to avoid.
>
> Looking for *experiences* with this model, or Pace stations in general.

Let's see, I own 3 (MBT250, ST20 station, PS90 and PS80 irons and I repair
them ..
yes on the used market - if you know what they are - they are a great buy.

DaveC

2006-05-06, 2:21 am

Thus spake g. beat:

> Let's see, I own 3 (MBT250, ST20 station, PS90 and PS80 irons and I repair
> them .. yes on the used market - if you know what they are - they are a great

> buy.

Thanks, g.b.. Your comments are hereby added to my d.b. of Pace experiences.
I'm leaning toward buying this ST45 station. I'll have to buy tips on-line (I
prefer to be able to dash down to the local electronics supplier when I need
it *now*), but I guess I'll have to plan ahead a bit...

Thanks again,
--
DaveC
me@privacy.net
This is an invalid return address
Please reply in the news group

g. beat

2006-05-06, 4:21 pm

"DaveC" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:0001HW.C0817E290212F276F02845B0@news.readfreenews.net...
> Thus spake g. beat:
>
>
>
> Thanks, g.b.. Your comments are hereby added to my d.b. of Pace
> experiences.
> I'm leaning toward buying this ST45 station. I'll have to buy tips on-line
> (I
> prefer to be able to dash down to the local electronics supplier when I
> need
> it *now*), but I guess I'll have to plan ahead a bit...
>
> Thanks again,
> --
> DaveC

Dave -

Remember that expect for the ST-25 and ST-45, Pace really doe snot target
the hobbyists market - which is really where Weller, the Far East imports
and some Haako models exist.

Oki(Metcal) and Pace are usually seen in the professional work place
(production rework, SMT)
with some Weller and Haako.

The only caution that I would add is this:
The thermoplastic extrusions for the ST-25 / ST-45 or ST-65
are no longer available from Pace.
At that time Pace made the ST-35/ST-55/ST-85 which were the aluminum
extrusion case versions (with ability to mount the power supply base under a
bench-top or bench shelf.

So my only warning is avoid heating / burning the case with hot iron - it
will stay that way.
When I do not deal directly with Pace factory -
I work with Technimark and Chicago area Pace representatives - for parts,
etc.
http://www.technimark-inc.com/

gb

g. beat

2006-05-06, 4:21 pm

DaveC

2006-05-08, 2:21 pm

Thus spake g. beat:

> When I do not deal directly with Pace factory - I work with Technimark and
> Chicago area Pace representatives - for parts, etc.
> http://www.technimark-inc.com/

gb
Please contact me directly @davec2468ATtakeaimDOTcom (remove "take")

Thanks,
--
DaveC
me@privacy.net
This is an invalid return address
Please reply in the news group

joseph2k

2006-05-15, 11:21 pm

Nico Coesel wrote:

> DaveC <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>
your[color=darkred]
>
> Pace sells special tips for removing ICs in surface mounted packages.
> They also have a tweezer like soldering iron (in fact 2 irons in one)
> with which you can solder both joints of SMT resistors and capacitors
> at once.
>
> For soldering fine pitch I use a hollow tip (which is available from
> any major soldering iron manufacturor). It takes some practice, but it
> is manageble.
>
> I remove fine pitch chips from epoxy (FR4) PCBs by heating the PCB
> -carefully- with a paint stripper. This is non-destructive for the
> component.
>
> Desoldering fine pitch chips on a board with componentes on both sides
> is more tricky (and destructive for the component) since the paint
> stripper method won't work. I run a enamel copper wire underneath the
> pins. Next I attach the wire to a component or via somewhere on the
> board. Finally I heat the pads one by one and gently pull the pins
> from the pads by pulling the copper wire. This method puts very little
> strain on the pads of the PCB so it can also be used on paper based
> PCBs. However, all the pins on the package get bend.
>

In my limited experience 5 mil nickel wire works better, and there are tools
to put the leads back into shape. The just get real expensive for fine
pitch.

--
JosephKK
Gegen dummheit kampfen die Gotter Selbst, vergebens.Â_Â_
--Schiller

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