[throwup238]

Just use Metcal fixed induction soldering irons. I just saw a power supply for an MX-500 for $100 on eBay and there is the hobbyist level PS-900 on sale new for under $300 on Amazon right now (which works just as well but might not last 30 years like an MX-500). Thermaltronics was started by some Metcal engineers after their patents expired so they’re a cheaper source of tips but I haven’t looked at their power supplies recently.

Unlike wellers and other soldering irons they don’t use a PID loop. They exploit the curry effect of the alloys their tips are made of and pump 2.6 MHz RF into the handle which keeps the tip heated the entire time with zero delay, even when contacting huge copper pours. The downside is that you have to change the (expensive) tips to change the temperature, but the upside is that it’s capable of delivering much more heat. Since the iron is capable of heating so fast, temperature control doesn’t really matter because it can melt the solder long before damaging nearby chips.

If you’re not using a solder oven, that’s the best option. It’s expensive but it’ll make a night and day difference to your soldering work. I’ve got a Metcal that’s almost 25 years old that still runs like a champ, is compatible with tips sold by Metcal and Thermaltronics, heats better than any soldering iron I’ve used since, and is easily repairable if it breaks.

[jdietrich]

I don't want to start a holy war, but the JBC system with integrated cartridge tips is at least comparable to Metcal for high thermal mass joints and (IMO) superior for very fine SMD work. The JBC system has the advantage of allowing one-handed tip changes while the tip is still hot. It's also very affordable to get in the door, thanks to the proliferation of cheap Chinese stations that are fully compatible with JBC tips. I do agree that the traditional style of iron with a separate heater cartridge and tip is obsolete.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006568050453.html

[kevin_thibedeau]

The MX-500s have a design misfeature where power is constantly on internally. The switch only controls the output driver to the handpiece. Put these on a switched circuit for part time hobbyist use.

[opwieurposiu]

Metcal inductive irons are so much better then resistive, use one once and you will understand.

I pugged my Metcal into a power meter the other day. The instant you the tip touches copper, the power jumps from ~4W to ~40W. The power goes back down as soon as the solder melts.

If you can not find good deal on a Metcal, JBC irons are ok. Probably 80% as good soldering experience and often have a better (shorter) handpiece.

[Kirby64]

The same responsiveness happens with a JBC iron in my experience. Temp hardly overshoots, and you can punch all 120W into a ground plane if you get good enough contact (and have a large enough tip). I've used both Metcal irons and JBC irons, and I would agree with the other poster that JBC is the better overall package.

Key benefits:

* JBC tips are cheaper, and clones are widely available that are just as performant and even cheaper ($10/tip)

* JBC tips have adjustable temp; you can argue this isn't useful, but if you typically solder leaded but need to desolder something unleaded then this is a problem since you need to bump temp to desolder properly.

* You mentioned this already, but handpieces are shorter generally. In my opinion this makes a huge difference to soldering experience, especially as I get shakier in my older age.

[SequoiaHope]

I’d never used Metcal or JBC until recently. I’ve managed 15 plus years of SMT work with Hakko style irons. I recently got a new job, and the guy who manages our lab and does our soldering previously did soldering for military satellites for 20 years. He said he has something like thirty satellites in orbit.

When I asked for a soldering station I could use in the lab, I saw a lot of JBC machines around. I said “could I get a JBC?”. He said “oh the JBC is a Ferrari. I don’t think you need a Ferrari. I’ll get you a Metcal. That’s the Toyota of soldering irons.”

I can’t comment on exactly what he means, but he seems very experienced and has good things to say about JBC.

[opwieurposiu]

The JBC has adjustable temperature, which lets you solder faster if you crank it up. The risk is that you will cook either the board or the component you are attaching to the board. This decreases the reliability of the finished assembly, and it is not always visually obvious when you have cooked something. So it is like the gas pedal on a Ferrari, dangerous if you overdo it.

The Metcal does not have adjustable temperature, the temperature is set by the tips you choose. So it only has one "speed" and this reduces the risk of cooking the board.

Both Metcal and JBC are good, ultimately it turns into a sort of Vim vs. Emacs sort of thing, aka personal preference.