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[Mark47]

Does any one use these? I ask because I have been given one as a gift. 8-40 watt with three spare tips. The idea sounds great, but how good are they. I had been looking at a digital soldering station for a more precise control.

Mark

[geoff p]

Mark,  I have used an Antex adjustable iron for about 14 years.  Over here (SE Asia) I couldn't get spare tips for it so I wrote to Messrs Antex, and got an almost instant, helpful reply.  I've only stopped using it whilst in Taiwan because the mains here is only 110 volts against the Antex 240V.

The analogue temperature control is perfectly adequate to use from small, delicate stuff right up to 'cooking' an obstinate chunk of brass or copper.  The exact temperature doesn't really matter within reason - it's the amount of heat that will destroy transistors/ICs etc.

If you have any choice at all, go for Antex, they are an old-established firm with proper old-fashioned values.  No, I don't have any connection with them except as a satisfied customer.

Geoff