I have managed to come by an old Vigor resistance soldering machine. It's the 1500 watt SM-800 model in case you are interested.
Fixed a few of the small problems, like making up a stainless steel tip, and have started to play about with it.
Sort of neat to see paper clips burn but this is a new experience for me so I have been trying to get a better fix on how to use this equipment properly.
I have done some web searching and have improved my understanding but questions remain.
If anyone would be kind enough to fill in some of the blanks I would appreciate it.
Wondering what I should watch out for like...
I haven't seen anything that talks about eye protection other than just wear goggles. But every once in a while the thing arcs.
American Beauty seems to be a "name" in this area and I have looked at their site and down loaded some of the video clips. Any other companies that I should check out.
One site recommends using Supersafe Superior #30 flux. Other suggestions? This is the web site:
Some sites have suggested pulling the anode from old batteries. I remember doing this as a kid but I now wonder if this is such a great idea.
The tweezer tips that I see seem to have both the + and - leads attached. That way you just clip on and the tweezers just heat what's between them.
I'd like to make up something like these but don't have a good fix on the design. Especially how to keep both tips electrically and thermally insulated from each other.
At this stage, I'll admit that this machine is mostly a tool in search of a problem. But one thing that I would like to do is use it to roll my own battery packs for robots that I build. I have done this with regular solder gun and appreciate that you must NOT put too much heat into the battery.
Books?
Web sites?
Any other tips? (Bad pun intended! :-)
Thanks for any help.
DOC
Buy my junk!