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Duratech TS-1620 Soldering Station
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Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 3:56:45 PM on 21 May 2020.
	Jimb Location: Kanahooka, NSW Member since 18 November 2016 Member #: 2012 Postcount: 712
Bought the above Soldering Station from Jcar about 6months ago. Typical Chinese product worked brilliantly for 6 months and game over. Even if I fix it which is not looking likely not sure I want to use it. I expected a transformer inside and a low voltage element. No way! Measured 220VAC on element, small nasty little pc board which I can't Remove without destroying the the pot which is locked in a plastic ring and cannot be unscrewed. LED Appears o/c the barrel gets hot but not enough heat on element. It serves me right. I bought it to replace the Dick Smith one I had for years before it played up. Just thought I would have a quick winge. Can anyone suggest a safe reliable Soldering Station that I can buy without spending a fortune which I don't have. Regards Jim

Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 1:44:21 PM on 22 May 2020.
	Tallar Carl Location: Latham, ACT Member since 21 February 2015 Member #: 1705 Postcount: 2155
Get your self a scope. Yeah not cheap but not real expensive either. Instant heat and easy to use.

Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 3:23:22 PM on 22 May 2020.
	Johnny Location: Hobart, TAS Member since 31 July 2016 Member #: 1959 Postcount: 544
Everyone should have a Scope Iron. As well as a temperature controlled soldering station. However they can be very destructive in the wrong hands. You can solder a delicate solid state device with a scope and you can also solder leaks in your house guttering!. JJ

Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 4:06:59 PM on 22 May 2020.
	Marcc Location: Wangaratta, VIC Member since 21 February 2009 Member #: 438 Postcount: 5254
Some of the Jaycar stuff is a worry. I bought two fixed temp irons off of them they were too hot for the intended job & failed rapidly. I do wonder about their voltage rating. The UPS did a battery and damn near melted the batteries down. Scope for improvement there I have actually added a thermal fuse mains side to it. I don't know if they are still operating but the seriously hot iron that has two elements left is an Australian Matson from 1968. There is a very old 25Watt Weller. Current temp controlled one is from Jaycar dated as purchased June 2009 Albury store. Its a "Goot" made in Japan & their Goot solder wick, as far as I am concerned is the better one. It actually works. If all else fails I have a jewellers oxy torch plus bigger. Viz Industrial Marc

Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 5:03:03 PM on 22 May 2020.
	Irext Location: Werribee South, VIC Member since 30 September 2016 Member #: 1981 Postcount: 470
The best soldering station I've ever used was a JBC soldering station available from Mektronics in Victoria. They are an RF type and go to an idle state when in the dock but fire up to the set temperature almost immediately when picked up for use. They can sink ridiculous amounts of heat for the size of the tips which come in many styles. Once you've used one you lust after it from then on. The down side.. They are around $700!! Having said that I'm still using my Weller WTCP station which I've had since I was 18 (I'm 62 now). Amazingly I can still buy tips for it from WES Components!! If it dies I might buy a JBC if I can hide the cost from my wife somehow.

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