x-tronic 4000 soldering station


Need to buy soldering station, after reviewing a few including Hakko, Atten, Weller came at X-tronic 4000, this one out there includes the hot air gun as well, magnifying lamp, quite a few tips. Temp range from 150C which is suites me, I need 180C to work with WBT solder. Any experience on this from DIY folks would be great, anything I should be concerned about...
Thank you
avs9

Showing 5 responses by rodman99999

If you are using WBT 0800(4% Ag); the melting point is 178/180 degrees C, according to my spool's label. No problems, at all, soldering at just slightly above that temp. If the lower limit of a soldering station is 180 degrees, so what? You can always increase the temp.
Like I said, I've been soldering at slightly above the temp on the WBT 0800 spool, without any problems. I would not have bothered commenting, but for the fact that the OP is using the same solder. These guys recommend 250 degrees C, as the ideal temp: (http://www.takefiveaudio.com/PDF/WBT%200800.PDF) That's very close to what I'm reaching, with excellent flow, and the halogen-free flux does a fine job. Have you ever used WBT's lead-bearing/4% silver solder?
Maybe I'm missing something here? Kester and WBT solders are now the same formulations/fluxes, and I should believe Kester over WBT(regarding WBT's product)? Of course WBT will still perform at 700 degrees F. The issue is whether it will, equally as well at around 500 degrees F, which I(and others) have found it will. Happy soldering.
Mr K- Actually; I've never seen any recommendations regarding temps, from WBT. I started using Wonder Solder about 15 years ago, and found it worked wonderfully at lower temps than I was used to. To me; that was desirable, as dielectrics(like Teflon)tend to release gases, when heated. That means the chemical composition is changing. Not something I wanted to do to the expensive cables to which I was attaching various connectors, or the RCAs going in a chassis. When I started using WBT; I never raised the temp and never had a problem. Kimber Kable recommends 750 degrees, when using Wonder Solder, but I've never experienced any problems at 500 to 550.
Mr K- Absolutely NOT the kind of thing I want, hanging in the air about my soldering station. In this first reference; they mention that Teflon begins off-gassing toxic particulates at 464, and emitting six toxic gases at 680 degrees F(plus a few other tasty treats):(http://www.tuberose.com/Teflon.html) Next to a vacuum or air; Teflon has been my favorite dielectric(since the 80's). Many of the components I've soldered have been configured in a way that left them hard to heatsink, and I was always more concerned with the idea of altering the chemistry of the Teflon, than that of my own body(typical). (http://www.ewg.org/node/8305)