I ordered a soldering iron with automatic solder feed via EBay from a U.K. supplier. I received the following message and a full refund.
"Hi dear customer, Thank you for your purchasing.We are so sorry to tell you that because of some accident, we found that our product have some quality problem. Please accept our deep apology. In order to do not let you receive the defective item. We have asked the suppliers to replace defective products. But the factory re-production will take some time. "
I took a closer look at the advert and I think the problem may be due to exposed mains connections accessible when the solder loading door is opened. A similar version on sale by the same supplier had pictures showing insulated internal electrical connections. They also only have a two core mains lead and so no earth connection to blow the fuse should the heating element develop a short to the metalwork. A friend has just bought one and so I am going to give it a PAT insulation stress test when I next see him.
if you have got one of these then I suggest you carefully check the internal connections!
(https://narrowgauge.retiarius.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/762A719B-D17A-48A6-9DAE-6943CF2A44BB.jpeg)
(https://narrowgauge.retiarius.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0A63F318-6562-47E8-AF4C-AB25FCE3DE87.png)
Perhaps a good quality 18w Antex soldering iron with a silicone power cable and feeding the solder yourself would be a better option?
This is what I have always used, but perhaps this is too 'old school'?
Quote from: B.Meldon on February 12, 2020, 16:07
Perhaps a good quality 18w Antex soldering iron with a silicone power cable and feeding the solder yourself would be a better option?
When my 25 year old no-name iron died last year I was assured by people on on of the "Vintage Electric Musical Instrument" forums that unless you paid £200 for a proper Weller station you were wasting money.
I bought a XYTronic temperature controlled system for £60 which has been perfect for everything so far, including guitar repairs.
A small Antex is ideal for just about everything railway related, apart from low temperature white metal.
Just don't buy one of these
(https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2016/03/stockphotofail.jpg)
I normally use a solder rework station with temperature controlled iron and a temperature controlled hot air blower - great for shrinking hellashrink tubing at 120 dec C. I wanted the 60w soldering iron with solder feed to help soldering Arduino prototype boards where 3 hands can be needed to hold small components in place, hold the solder and hold the iron.
I can only assume the iron in the photo is not switched on as otherwise the heating element that the person is holding would be very hot!
I have used low wattage Antex irons for years and these are very good and not expensive. I have found Weller to be good as well if you need a higher wattage. No need to spend £200 though!
And thanks Retarius for the alert, it looks a nasty piece of work.
Frank
Quote from: Frank on February 14, 2020, 10:37
I can only assume the iron in the photo is not switched on as otherwise the heating element that the person is holding would be very hot!
Back in the days of 20th century electronic engineering i was taught that to be a good electronics engineer you were either born with asbestos fingers or you had to learn to take the heat! Maybe she is in training!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: Retiarius on February 12, 2020, 19:19
I wanted the 60w soldering iron with solder feed to help soldering Arduino prototype boards where 3 hands can be needed to hold small components in place, hold the solder and hold the iron.
I agree its a pain, for through hole stuff its not to much of an issue but for SMD I have gone back to using paste which is easier, but can be very expensive.
Stephen