New Micro Marc resistance soldering tool???

[lab-dad]

Just got the new MM catalog.
On the cover is a resistance soldering tool for $170.
That's less than half the price of the regular one.
This one is only 63 watts though.
Is that enough? for what?
I'd really like one but $500 for a decent one is an awful lot of money.
I do okay with my pencil, gun and torch but the advantages of resistance are huge!
Your input (as always) is appreciated.
-Marty

[mabloodhound]

Got my issue yesterday and also saw that immediately.   I may just go ahead and get it to see what it will do.
I've been looking at these units for years and never could afford one either.

[Design-HSB]

THE (Buntbahn Forum), there are currently just a self-construction project on which I participate.
I'm just doing the finishing circuits soldered to the transformer together to build a case.


transformer


Board with the necessary equipment, for Widerstandslötgerät.

Right now I'm just cold and powerful pause forcibly.

[james_coldicott]

Hi Marty et al,

this article on building your own resistance soldering unit has just started doing the rounds again...

http://www.nmia.com/~vrbass/models/solderer.pdf

undoubtably quite crude but an interesting read nonetheless.

If you have the parts lying around it may get you off the ground.

James

[Ray Dunakin]

How do people avoid getting electrocuted by these things? I know I'm enough of a klutz that eventually I would inadvertently grab the wrong part of something while trying to hold the parts in place and apply the current.

[5thwheel]

If you can at all swing the price get the American Beauty.  I have the 250w version.  It is very dependable. I have had mine for many years (20?).  I was fortunate because I had a dealership for them back in the mid 80s so got mine at cost.  I have not been sorry I got it.

You won't get electrocuted but if you grab the tips you can get burned.

Bill

[lab-dad]

Well i bought it (the MM one)
I will let you guys know just what I think when it arrives.
No way i could afford the American Beauty.
-Mj

[cjd2255]

I did some shopping around for an American Beauty, and was able to find it for far less than what Micro Mark has it at.  I am really glad I made the investment. 
A buddy of mine got a used one on ebay for next to nothing.  He lives a few miles from American Beauty, so he took it over to them and they went through it and replaced what needed to be replaced.  They gave him a great warranty on it too now that is has been rebuilt.   

[Malachi Constant]

If there really is such a thing as a Micro Marc, that would explain how he managed to place tiny scale-size bits of lichen so neatly ... even a Mini Marc would be helpful for such things ...

Which way to the corner?   

[lab-dad]

Ill keep an eye out for an American beauty.
That would be a "Micro Markie"
Marty

[lab-dad]

Arrived today.
Kinda funny; a box,inside a box, inside another box.
When i got to the third one i was getting worried.
I soldered two pieces of .032 x .167" brass then two solid squares of .093"
No problems.
I didnt really buy it for delicate work so i am pleased.
It will be getting a workout shortly.
I would recomend it.
Marty

[Seattle Dave]

Have you got a part number you can share?  MM does not send me catalogs any more, at least I don't recall any recent one with this device on the cover.  With a part number, I could go to the web and see if they have it available online.  Many thanks.

Dave

[lab-dad]

Its right on the top of the front page.
In the newsreel thing.

List Price: $199.95
Our Price: $169.95
Item #: 85522

Mj

[eTraxx]

here it is on the website
http://www.micromark.com/microlux-resistance-soldering-unit-with-single-electrode-handpiece,10952.html

[lab-dad]

Follow up;

I have been using the crap out of my machine.
Simply stated - I love it!
I am able to solder 3/16 o.d. rod to other sizes so i think that speaks highly of the power.
It has done everything I have asked of it.
I am going through the carbon electrodes quickly, but then again I am using it a lot and for extended periods heating large pieces. It came with 6 and I have used 4 so far.
Again I am working in 1/16th so you guys in smaller scales should have no problem at all.

Here is an example;


Top pieces are 3/16
rods are .093 dia. by 1" long
Lower plates are 1/16th thick.
took about 5 seconds to heat the whole thing and the solder to flow.
No clean up at all was done. You can see the dark spot on the left rod where i held the electrode.

-Marty