Pace soldering stations?

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,

Reply to
DaveC
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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

Reply to
Thomas Hejl

Pace Corporate Web Page

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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 Model has been superseded by ST-50 (IntelliHeat Control Technology).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)

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Pace Manuals (list)
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ST-45 Manual
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Looking for a Pace dealer / representative / distributor ?
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g. beat

Reply to
g. beat

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.

Reply to
DaveC

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 Coesel

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?

Thanks,

Reply to
DaveC

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 Coesel

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.

Reply to
g. beat

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,

Reply to
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.

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gb

Reply to
g. beat

Current ST-45 station (Pace changed to white base station fronts and aluminum extrusion)

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Reply to
g. beat

Thus spake g. beat:

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

Thanks,

Reply to
DaveC

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.

Reply to
joseph2k

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