Alas, I'm no match when it comes to repairs to almost anybody on this site. I don't even get them cleaned up like you do. My vacuum cleaner doesn't suck strong enough, and I wont desolder ICs just to clean underneath them. ![Grin ;D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/grin.gif)
Until lately, I didn't care too much whether the stuff worked, as long as I had one working part. But since reading here I'm eager to get the whole enchilada into working condition, along with a dignified appearance.
"And so it begins" http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=%20And%20so%20it%20begins
Let us know your address before you are committed to the lunatic asylum.
Jackson, et al stole that quote from Babylon5 a decade earlier; he's a shameless Bab5 fanboi, and Tolkein never actually wrote those words. UD is hardly a valid reference; more like Wikipedia for the "Jackass" crowd.
![Wink ;)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
That said... Dibs on his probe collection when the little men in white coats take him away...
![Tweak :-/O](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiliey_cal.gif)
Heads up anyone thinking of getting a similar meter to bd139 theres a Kenwood DL-2051 going on Ebay in case you hadn't noticed (listed this morning) and here's the link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282692846303
Am I the only one who thinks that thing looks decidedly Protek?
That switch should work actually in that situation. Worst case, you know which ones won't work in the future ![Cheesy :D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/cheesy.gif)
Soldering iron thoughts are moving towards something new and Hakko now.
If you're looking to get into the Hakko T12 unitized tip ecosystem on a budget, you can build a very good station with the
generic OLED T12 controller and a set of
T12 clone tips; just add your own 18-28V 3-4A power supply. You get approx 90% the performance of genuine Hakko for around $60-80 all up, PLUS you get motion-canceled sleep mode.
Folks will argue that the clone T12 tips don't last as long as the real Hakko tips, which is true. But you can buy a whole assortment of 10 pieces for less than one Hakko tip costs. Spend the money for genuine on a a fine cone and L-hook tip you'll use all the time; get the cheap ones for what you don't use all the time.
Just avoid the full kit with the "converted Hakko 907" handle like the pic below; every last one of those handles is an unmitigated POS that will have you HATING the whole station. Spend the money and piece it together separately with a
FX-9501 handle or
FM-2028 modular handle; whichever you prefer. Both work almost as well as my genuine Hakko handle.
This vendor has a FX-9501 handle that's prewired for the motion-sensor used by the OLED T12 module; otherwise you'll have to wire in the one that comes with the module.
They also have the T12 OLED Module at a fair price. My clone FX-9501 came from them.
I have this, Weller, Aoyue and Metcal on my bench since my FX-951 caught fire inside
![Shocked :o](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/shocked.gif)
and the only one I like better is the Metcal, but I can't afford more than a few tips for that, even used. And the setup on the OLED T12 module is SO much easier to use, just more sensible than anything short of the old analog knob that it is a joy to use; changing temps and presets on the FX-951 was such a PITA I was actually GLAD when it died.
![Tongue :P](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/tongue.gif)
I don't use it all that often. As a bench meter, I prefer the LEDs of my Siemens B1041 and like the handiness of my Fluke 8060A.
Today I built a shelf onto my workbench so I can hopefully stack more equipment there. Cost me most of the day. And looks terrible (I'm no good with mechanical work). It doesn't help that I made it out of several older pieces of furniture (of course I wouldn't throw away perfectly good wooden boards, would I?). But then, I already added a board to make it deeper by 20 cm, so the visual appearance couldn't be ruined anymore, anyway. And I don't bother as long as it does its job.
Over the past weeks I also carried some smaller items home (don't have a car), like some panel meters. Yesterday I replaced two caps in a Weston 1234 (they had been replaced before), and now have a nice 4.5 digits Panaplex meter. Needs some calibration, though, and I couldn't find anything resembling a manual.
I just redid the worktop of my main bench; a jobsite I was on down here they were tearing out a cashwrap with cultured marble top and I got a nice piece 92" x 29" to make the whole bench (two drafting tables side x side) into one contiguous surface.
1st pic is a typical day in the middle of 6 projects at once.
![Face Palm :palm:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)
2nd pic is EVERYTHING cleared off to make way for the marble and a planed 1 x 10 plank as a filler to get the full depth I needed. I don't think it was that empty even on the day I moved in.
3rd pic is what it looked like about 30 minutes later...
![Undecided :-\](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/undecided.gif)
Yes, that is the handle of the 454 under there.
![Wink ;)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/wink.gif)
mnem
You do NOT want to see what's BEHIND me...
![Shocked :o](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/shocked.gif)