Author Topic: New Metcal clone? (Read 12868 times)

mikeselectricstuff · « **on:** January 17, 2013, 10:48:01 am »

Someone on Piclist posted about this iron they just got hold of, which sounds like it performs in a similar league to JBC & Metcal - not clear if it's induction heated but the tips look rather like Metcal ones
http://www.jovy-systems.com/en/products/solder-stations/isolder-40.html

Could be a bargain at US$160

Nermash · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2013, 11:06:54 am »

I-solder 40 (Invincible, Intelligent, Inconceivable)

Pricing in Europe cca 150 €?

amyk · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2013, 11:20:37 am »

User manual says 24VAC output so it's probably just the normal transformer-based design, with an integrated tip-heater. More similar to the Hakko FX-951.

The shape of the base station looks like a boot or rhinoceros foot... not really a fan of these weird enclosures

saturation · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2013, 01:36:28 pm »

Interesting, certainly better priced than an old technology Hakko FX888 in the EU.

poorchava · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2013, 04:51:35 pm »

And they actually have a retailer in Poland. Cost is PLN 550, which would be EUR 134. Not bad.

A bit shame that it's low power. It says maximum power consumption it 50W, so more like for precision work than all-round universal station.

I wonder how this 'intelligent temperature control' really works.

vzoole · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2013, 08:06:24 pm »

I think it is a copy of 'Chinese Hakko FX-951' without display and buttons.

Same handpiece, same holder.

Amarbir[Lynx-India] · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2013, 08:26:48 pm »

Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 17, 2013, 10:48:01 am

Someone on Piclist posted about this iron they just got hold of, which sounds like it performs in a similar league to JBC & Metcal - not clear if it's induction heated but the tips look rather like Metcal ones
http://www.jovy-systems.com/en/products/solder-stations/isolder-40.html

Could be a bargain at US$160

Mike ,
Jovy Does Not Clone anything .thier RE7500 and re8500 are excellent low cost bga machines .

zaoka · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2013, 04:18:46 am »

Jovy is good company!!!

http://www.howardelectronics.com/Jovy/index.html

T4P · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:35:53 pm »

Well if it is a clone of FX-951 why does it not have temp control buttons?

But i've seen it around for a long time already. A long time. Like 2 years at least, even earlier than i saw thermaltronics

reagle · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2013, 11:57:35 pm »

Did some Metcal patents expire recently? I see several apparent clones appear out of nowhere!

Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on January 17, 2013, 10:48:01 am

Someone on Piclist posted about this iron they just got hold of, which sounds like it performs in a similar league to JBC & Metcal - not clear if it's induction heated but the tips look rather like Metcal ones
http://www.jovy-systems.com/en/products/solder-stations/isolder-40.html

Could be a bargain at US$160

mikeselectricstuff · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2013, 12:26:02 am »

Quote from: reagle on January 20, 2013, 11:57:35 pm

Did some Metcal patents expire recently? I see several apparent clones appear out of nowhere!

I believe so - I'm told Thermaltronics was started by some ex-Metcal people.

reagle · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2013, 12:29:10 am »

Thermaltronics looks about as expensive as the original though

member_xyz · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2013, 03:11:14 am »

Hong Kong seller TOOLBOOM has iSolder-40 listed at USD125 but currently out of stock.
http://toolboom.com/en/Soldering-Station-Jovy-Systems-iSolder-40.php

Tips look like Thermaltronics RF induction type and are priced about the same and pre heating is fast about 5 seconds.

I have Thermaltronics 9000 RF induction iron and I absolutely love the performance.

cybergibbons · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2013, 08:36:41 am »

FX-951 and Metcal tips look very similar at the end. No temperature control on it, which again would suggest Metcal like.

vzoole · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2013, 08:08:31 pm »

Quote from: T4P on January 20, 2013, 11:35:53 pm

Well if it is a clone of FX-951 why does it not have temp control buttons?

Because they company in crisis and don't working any engineer here?! I don't know.

But as I said it is a copy of Hakko 912 handpiece (or chinese Hakko FX-951) and the tips same like Hakko T12 series.

iSolder-40 tip

iSolder-40 tip

Hakko T12 tip

Hakko handpiece

mamalala · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2013, 09:05:28 pm »

Quote from: reagle on January 21, 2013, 12:29:10 am

Thermaltronics looks about as expensive as the original though

You can build a Metcal/Thermaltronics compatible RF supply yourself:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/diy-metcal-13-56-mhz-rf-supply

Greetings,

Chris

T4P · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2013, 02:36:11 pm »

It's just because a integrated heater that's similar. They all use integrated heaters.
They might look the same but are they the same?

reagle · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2013, 06:59:46 pm »

So do we know yet if this thing is RF heated or just a fancy conventional station minus temperature regulation?
From the videos of thermal recovery and heat up time, I'd say it looks more like an RF powered station, but that's just my guess

vzoole · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2013, 09:06:58 pm »

Just blinds don't see it is a hakko clone which have a normal resistor heating element.


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Author Topic: New Metcal clone? (Read 12868 times)

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