This is the forth blog post in support of the RoadTest that does a comparison between the
METCAL GT120-HP-T6 Soldering Station
and
Weller WT1012N Soldering Station
I have included a Tear Down Sequel blog post because there were two addtional tear down items I wanted to explore after using the units.
These are the equipment foot print and the pencil rest.
Power Controller Unit Foot Print:
The space footprint occupied for the the Weller and Metcal units is similiar. Instead of recording dimensions, I placed the power unit and pencil rest on an 8.5inchX11inch sheet of paper and drew their outlines. This will give the reader an idea of the space requirements. As can be seen from the outline the foot print for both unit is very similar. Recall the Metcal has an AC power adapter that plugs into the power controller. The unit won't take up space on the bench but does need to be accommodated.
The Metcal power controller (square objects) is a taller unit at 6inches verses 3.75inches for the Weller.
Pencil Rest
Both the Weller and Metcal soldering systems provide a stand to hold the solder pencil when not being used. Each manufactures pencil rest provides a wet sponge holder, brass pad holder and tip holder. The Metcal has a smaill reservoir at the top of the rest to store parts? I have used it to hold the restainer clip for the cartridge only option described in the earlier post.
I found the ergonomics of the Metcal unit more ideal than the Weller. The Weller unit has the sponge and brass pads located at either end of the pencil rest. The Metcal has the sponge and brass pads located on one end. Using the Weller pencil rest you must decide what is more to you liking, the sponge or brass because the pencil rest hold locks over only one end. In the current configuration the brass pad is used more therefore it is located under the pencil rest.
Metcal has a slotted opening that holds the brass pad. I find this arrangement of sponge and brass options more conducive instead of the either or option.
I also found the tip holder for the Metcal more conducive. In the Weller unit, some tips will acutally touch the sponge when inserted. If the pencil holder is reversed the tips may rest in the brass. The Metcal design is such the situation described doesn't exist.