Pace ADS200 soldering station

[Cliff Matthews]

120w and stays cool all day.. looks nice. FWIW, I'm down in the basement with the TS-100 stuff, but it's always nice to dream..



*edit (subject line was too triggering)

[chris_leyson]

Hmm... not so sure about Pace, been using TD-100 irons for a few years now and to be honest I'm not impressed with the tips when using lead free. For fine or very fine SMT work I would prefer a Metcal over Pace anyday.

[Cliff Matthews]

I jumped  to snag one for a possible EEVblog review right when they posted and if Dave wants one (no strings..), he can have one.
Who knows, maybe he'll prefer it over his JBC (110W vs 75W) and he can retire his old Pace station.

[bsudbrink]

You can take my MBT-250 when you can pry it out of my cold dead hand.   

[EEVblog]

I'm planning a US$150 station shootout, sadly this one at US$250 is a tad outside that.

[Dyaxxis]

I'll definitely keep an eye out for that review. Thanks Dave.

Now, I own several Pace items (e.g. MBT-250 w/SX-100, SMR-25, Pik & Paste 100) and a JBC CD-1 (w/T245 and T210) amongst several other well-known branded items. I like my MBT-250, but I was in the market for a cartridge based soldering station and looked at various soldering stations, including the WDS 100. After various evaluations, the CD-1 was much more suited to my personal requirements. 

Back to the ADS200, I'm truly interested in more information than what's on the current official website for it, particularly:

• Price confirmation: I noticed that it's listed at a much lower price point than even it's "lesser spec'd" current digital "Intelliheat" stations, and I personally think that's great accomplishment
• Versatility and backwards compatibility: Lots of information concerning both "SensaTemp" and "Intelliheat", which is way too much for me to list here, but now's there's "AccuDrive", which opens another door to more questions. One thing I have noticed is that both the ST 50 and the WDS 100 are compatible with their MT 100 "mini tweezers", which is a design consideration that wasn't available in other single channel stations.

Because I'm a longtime customer of Pace, I'm thinking of reaching out with these enquiries to see what and when they can provide more specifics, because the price point and design revisions have me quite curious.

[Bud]

JBC CD-1D w/T245 owner here and hate it. Tips are quickly oxidizing garbage, just a few sec and it is dark and solder wire rolls back on itself and not sticking to the tip. Re-tinning with Kester tinning paste did not help. Running it only at 260C . The handpiece is too delicate and too long for comfortable work, I always fear it will snap in half if I am not very careful putting it in the holder. The only good thing is the tip changing design, just takes less than 2 sec using the bracket on the stand to pull the tip out and insert the other one. When ADS200 comes out , will buy the same day and ditch the JBC.

Edit: if Pace will supply the station with good quality tips, it indeed may become JBC killer.

[EEVblog]

JBC CD-1D w/T245 owner here and hate it. Tips are quickly oxidizing garbage, just a few sec and it is dark and solder wire rolls back on itself and not sticking to the tip.

My tips have corroded too.

[Dyaxxis]

JBC CD-1D w/T245 owner here and hate it. Tips are quickly oxidizing garbage, just a few sec and it is dark and solder wire rolls back on itself and not sticking to the tip.

My tips have corroded too.

I believe mine might have as well, however... I've had my iron set at 325 C with a setback temp of 150 C. The usual solder I use is Kester 63/37 Eutectic rosin core solder over a variety of tips for both of my irons. I use minimal dwell time and when I'm ready to replace the iron, I apply solder, remove by a gentle and quick wipe over the corner of the shock sponge, reapply more solder, then place in the holder. I only use the heavy wool if serious contamination is present and that's not been often. I turn the unit completely off unless I think I'm going to use the iron again within a minute or two.

With that mentioned, I performed maintenance and repair on a variety of items (most consumer repairs) at least 3 to 4 times a week for the past year and still perform quite well and wet very easily. I've only used tip tinner twice in the beginning, which I almost thought my tips were ruined, but were easily wetted with minimum controlled solder after some rewetting with the usual solder I use.

These are just my results so far, however... I believe once I need to use a harsh lead-free solder with an acidic flux, any tips used are going to be very short lived. I'll report back when the situation arises.

In regards to my Pace MBT-250 w/SX-100 desoldering iron, I've set the iron to roughly 335 to 350 C. I've abused the tips by doing lots of the things that shorten tip life, including desoldering lots of SAC305 and other lead-free alloys with extended dwell times. After each extended period, I've followed the Pace recommended barrel clearing procedure before replacing. I remove the tip and turn the iron off if I'm not using it more than a few minutes. Each tip lasted about a year or more. This is not realistically convenient, nor cost effective for most practical uses, however these are the results I've experienced with this procedure.

Again, I'm speaking only from my experience on my own rework equipment.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that occasionally I use an old Pace ST400 IR preheater on any board I think would need it.

[lmaokore]

JBC CD-1D w/T245 owner here and hate it. Tips are quickly oxidizing garbage, just a few sec and it is dark and solder wire rolls back on itself and not sticking to the tip. Re-tinning with Kester tinning paste did not help. Running it only at 260C . The handpiece is too delicate and too long for comfortable work, I always fear it will snap in half if I am not very careful putting it in the holder. The only good thing is the tip changing design, just takes less than 2 sec using the bracket on the stand to pull the tip out and insert the other one. When ADS200 comes out , will buy the same day and ditch the JBC.

Edit: if Pace will supply the station with good quality tips, it indeed may become JBC killer.

My tips have corroded too.

I've had no problems with JBC tip oxidation. Wet as good as my Hakko.

[PA4TIM]

I have a MBT-250 with the normal handpiece, the tweezers and SX-100 soldersucker, Made a big mistake 3 years ago to buy a Metcal station. Solders really great but the quality suck, the service even more. I did it because my (20 years old ? ) SX-70 was worn. So I was very happy I did not sell my MBT-250. 6 months ago I asked Pace for advice about overhauling my old MBT. They gave very quick, honest and good advice. Supplied me even the tip-partnumbers I needed and which soldersucker would fit my needs.  I still do not regret that.  I do a lot of soldering and desoldering (professional repairwork) I would like to add in the future a station with a micro handpiece, and microtweezers  and add a hotair pencil to my 250 (I'm not sure yet they have one for my 250).

The only downside is the long warming up time. Often not a problem because it is almost always powered on but it increases the lifetime of the gear(and tips)  and as much as I use it some on/of handpiece stand and fast heating would be an advantage . That feature I liked from the Metcal.

If I need a third station or replace my Weller the new Pace would be a serious candidate.

[Cliff Matthews]

PA4TIM - Based on history, do you see the street price of the ADS200 eventually falling from 239 to 199? The reason I ask is Dave could include it as an alternate candidate in the shoot-out (at least if they weren't joking, he could have one free...)

*edit - They seem interested in giving him one for a burl.. I made sure no strings attached (once they hit production)

[flolic]

My tips have corroded too.

So as mine.
Because of that I just got Chinese clone tip for a test (C245-034) and so far it performs as good as original, does not oxidize, has superb tin wetting and cost half the price.
Time will tell how long it will last, but for now I am satisfied.

[bsudbrink]

add a hotair pencil to my 250 (I'm not sure yet they have one for my 250).

I'm not sure if you are asking a question here, but just in case... You want a SensaTemp TJ-70.  There's a new one on ebay right now, a little on the pricey side.  If you are patient, cheaper ones come up from time to time (frequently mislabeled).

[PA4TIM]

Thanks for the info but it was not a question.  It is for the future, At this moment my Oki still works fine.

[Neganur]

Seems difficult to buy this one, it's not in the pace online shop yet.

Also none of the stores ("where to buy") on the paceworldwide.com page have it.

[Cliff Matthews]

Seems difficult to buy this one, it's not in the pace online shop yet.

Also none of the stores ("where to buy") on the paceworldwide.com page have it.

It 's a new product http://smttoday.com/industry-news/pace-soldering-station/

It shows $239 in this store https://technimark-inc.com/soldering-rework-soldering-stations/pace-ads200-soldering-station-8007-0578.asp

[PA4TIM]

PA4TIM - Based on history, do you see the street price of the ADS200 eventually falling from 239 to 199? The reason I ask is Dave could include it as an alternate candidate in the shoot-out (at least if they weren't joking, he could have one free...)

*edit - They seem interested in giving him one for a burl.. I made sure no strings attached (once they hit production)

I do not think Pace should make cheap hobby grade stations. I would rather pay 300 for a wel build Pace and still can buy parts over 10 year as a hobby grade 150 dollar Pace. 239 dollar is already very cheap if it is Pace quality.

I do not mind if they send me one for a serious review.  I do not have enough subscribers but I would only review such a station after I worked a few weeks (minimal 3 to 6  hours a day ) with it.

[Bud]

Do i see no strain relief on the handpiece? 

[Neganur]

It 's a new product http://smttoday.com/industry-news/pace-soldering-station/

It shows $239 in this store https://technimark-inc.com/soldering-rework-soldering-stations/pace-ads200-soldering-station-8007-0578.asp

I can't use the 120V version (but thanks!)

[Cliff Matthews]

It 's a new product http://smttoday.com/industry-news/pace-soldering-station/

It shows $239 in this store https://technimark-inc.com/soldering-rework-soldering-stations/pace-ads200-soldering-station-8007-0578.asp

I can't use the 120V version (but thanks!)

Yeah, just read the bottom of the brochure.. I'll include a link FWIW..
https://technimark-inc.com/images/ADS200_Brochure_US-version%20_PN5400-0149.pdf

*Don't see why they don't use a 90-240v switcher and avoid complexities (conversion: open box and trade manual and IEC line cord)

[Cliff Matthews]

Update: There is no retro compatibility with older hand pieces and they have a mini-tweezer to be released this summer.

[Dyaxxis]

Update: There is no retro compatibility with older hand pieces and they have a mini-tweezer to be released this summer.

Just noticed that reply on my YouTube enquiry. My completely random assumption is that after much consideration, it was much more economical and feasible to start with a completely new standard and lineup, whilst supporting and eventually phasing out some of the older series (again, just my wild guess from noticing their lineups over the years).

I'm hoping the newer mini-tweezers are designed similar to the newer soldering pencil (using cues from their newer soldering pencil hand piece, as well as having an even larger large variety of tips than previous). The vast amount of "hot tip tweezers" I've tried have worked, but not to the point where I felt they were worth the investment.

[mrpackethead]

I'm planning a US$150 station shootout, sadly this one at US$250 is a tad outside that.

That would be awesome.   I have $800 stations on my workbenches in the lab. Thats fine. we make stuff htat earns money. and some of its specialist.    But i'm constantly being asked by people what to buy.     

I really love my Hakko FX951.. as my 'go-to' iron.

[helius]

Just noticed that reply on my YouTube enquiry. My completely random assumption is that after much consideration, it was much more economical and feasible to start with a completely new standard and lineup, whilst supporting and eventually phasing out some of the older series (again, just my wild guess from noticing their lineups over the years).

So that makes the 4th generation of Pace handpiece connectors:
1. 1960s 117V Thermodrive (NEMA 5-15 socket)
2. 1980s Sensatemp (circular connector w/ black collar)
3. 2000s Intelliheat (circular connector w/ blue collar)
4. 2018 Accudrive (don't know if this will be color coded)

It's worth remembering that there was limited backwards compatibility for earlier generations. For example, Intelliheat stations could use Sensatemp handpieces with an adapter cable, and certain Sensatemp stations like the PPS400 could be used to control the temperature of 117V tools.
There was a special connector for the HeatWise and TempWise stations (the red collar) that was equivalent to Intelliheat, without the backwards compatible capability.