by Andy on December 10, 2007
The new Weller ML500MP is a versatile mid-size soldering pencil that came out recently. Its main selling point is the fact that the user doesn’t have to choose between power and run time. With its medium setting working time of 30 minutes, it has the ability to finish numerous jobs between refills. This definitely makes it useful for field service repairs.
It also has a widely ranging temperature (750°F-900°F) allowing it to handle basic tasks as well as detailed projects. In addition, one of the most functional things about the ML500MP is that when its soldering tip is removed, it can be used as a mini-torch.
Here are a few more features of the Weller ML500MP Magna-Lite Butane Soldering Pencil that may interest you:
- Uses a Piezo ignition system
- Adjustable gas flow valve controls temperature range
- Wide base allows hands-free operation
- Window allows user to see fuel level
- Iron is refillable with Weller WB1 or WB2 filtered butane
- Comes with an ML501 tip
- Also uses ML502 and ML503 tips
All-Spec Industries carries the new Weller ML500MP as well as its accessory tips.
by Andy on December 3, 2007
Since we have done quite a few product reviews lately, we have decided a basic “how-to” article would be an appropriate post. The following is a series of steps to take when practicing the art of basic circuit board soldering.
First of all, you need to make sure you have all of the equipment that you need: a solder iron and solder. You should choose the appropriate iron based on the type of soldering you will be doing. In addition to this, you will need to choose a type of solder. If you’re working with electronics or circuit boards, be careful not to use acid core solder because of its corrosive nature.
Next, after you have all the right equipment, you should prepare your surface. The surface should be clean and all of the surfaces that are going to be soldered should be cleaned with a solvent and steel wool. All of your equipment should be free from debris as well.
Now you can start the actual soldering process. Bend the leads of the component and fit them through the correct holes in the board. Touch the pad and the lead with the iron’s tip to allow them both to heat up. After both are properly heated, you can begin soldering. The result should be a shiny connection with no cold joints (bubbles in solder).
After you have soldered everything that you need to, you need to clean up using solvent or steel wool to remove the extra rosin.
Check out this video on circuit board soldering. It goes a little more in-depth than my post, and gives you a visual reference as well.
by Andy on November 20, 2007
Luxo has come out with a new series of microscopes – the ESD-safe, 23mm System 273 Binocular Microscopes. They are designed for inspection and assembly use in ESD-sensitive environments, and their static dissipation is controlled by their ESD-safe lenses and body.
The lenses and eyepieces are protected with an anti-reflective coating that changes the electrical composition at the material’s surface. The body and the stand are coated with paint-laced metal. In addition, the surfaces are no longer insulated; therefore, triboelectric charging will produce lower voltages.
Here are a few more features of the Luxo ESD-safe, 23mm System 273 Binocular Microscopes:
- provides 270X total optical magnification
- 8” working distance and 15% greater field view (compared with Luxo System 250 models)
- smaller body giving you a greater workspace
- durable aluminum housing
- comes with 10X, 23mm widefield eyepieces and eyeshields
- rotates 360°
- zoom range of 0.7-4.5 (magnification range of 7X-45X)
- can be used with Luxo’s single boom stands or dual boom ball-bearing stands
Since 1937 Luxo has been a supplier of microscopes, task lighting, and illuminated magnifiers. All-Spec Industries is a proud carrier of Luxo ESD-safe microscopes as well as other Luxo products.
by Andy on November 12, 2007
The K-Sun BEE3FB2 3-in-1 LABELShop printer is a specialized printer for heat shrink tube identification, bar code labels, and custom labels, but it can also be used for labeling everyday items. You can conveniently label any of your equipment from files to shelves to jars. It can be used at home, at work, or in the warehouse.
Some of its impressive features include:
- Auto-cut or continuous printer for greater speed
- 14 fonts and a choice of 1-4 lines of text
- Printing on five different labeling tape sizes
- Choice of English or Spanish
- QWERTY style keyboard
- Printing on 2 heat shrink tube sizes
- Six bar code formats for management
All-Spec Industries is offering a new promotion on this new K-Sun BEE3 product. Check it out here.
by Andy on November 5, 2007
Jerry Blakely, President of Extech Instruments Corporation announced that Flir, a designer and manufacturer of thermal imaging and stabilized camera systems is purchasing Extech, one of All-Spec’s vendors, for $40 million.
This decision seems to make sense since the profitable Extech is a supplier of test and measurement equipment. Flir will be adding thermal imagers and Infrared cameras to Extech’s line of products. They have also been looking to break into the consumer market for handheld temperature-measurement devices for the cost benefits.
Flir’s products are mainly used for applications such as navigation safety, maritime and border patrol, search and rescue, and surveillance and reconnaissance. In addition to adding instruments to Extech’s product line, Flir will also get access to Extech’s catalog sellers so they can begin selling their lower-priced line of thermography items in the upcoming year. Extech also uses inexpensive manufacturing processes in Asia, and now Flir will now be able to take advantage of this.
All-Spec Industries carries a variety of Extech products including clamp meters, electrical testers, and digital multimeters.
