will this fry chips?

[james902]

not potato chips... but...

https://www.asseenontvnetwork.com/vc...oducts/115764/

can audio chips take zaps like this or will it fry it? looks like a mini MIG welder. should i stick with my good ol' hot iron or try this out?

 

[dsavitsk]

If you search this forum, I believe you will find several instances of people saying that these things don't really work well, and are only appropriate for emergency repairs when AC power is not available.

 

[blip]

Yeah, I'd say the general consensus is that these aren't really worth it unless you need something that is DC powered or that cools very rapidly (maybe for some kind of field repairs perhaps?).

As for actual damage to ICs... I haven't heard of it causing harm but my gut tells me that it is a very real possibility. I mean (if I understand it right at least), it is a high-voltage spark delivered straight into a leg of the IC... it seems like that couldn't help but have a risk of causing damage or at least decreasing the reliability of the IC over the long run.

 

[Tomo]

Hi,

I tend to disagree. It might work well enough for our purposes. Testmonials says it is pretty OK with circuit boards.

Although the context in FAQ about frequency arcing in the process of heating is bothering, I think it's A-OK. We ALL use IC sockets. Many people use IC sockets for passives also. Right? So A-OK.

I think if you have children close, this is a good thing to have. Children, you all know, tend to go for the MOST dangerous things (or breakable things). You will be relieved to know that they can palm this iron without 2nd degree burns.

Tomo

P.S. Of course, please do not operate this gadget near flamables. I think you can get yourself quite toasty.

 

[nleahcim]

I've heard tales of a couple fried chips with that thing.

 

[Edwood]

Yeah, the tips are way too huge.

Nice price though.

-Ed

 

[kal_el_3914]

Save your money. I have this (RS brand, samething, same price, just says "Radio Shack") and while it is a cool invention, 4 AA's are good for about 20 solder joints. I made a CMOY and it used 12 batteries to get through the project. That and after about 60 joints the tip starts to deteriorate. Cool for a quick fix, not cool for a project, let-alone many projects. Just my thoughts, YMMV.

EDIT: On a side not it does still work, and the cmoy, while not all that great on the soldering side due to my lack of skill, works great, and I've used it to make quite a few interconnects. Going to get a plain olde iron for when i start the mint though, as it's a pain to have to kill my "groove" to change batteries. I'm tired of typing now, END.

EDIT 2: i also used a socket, so i don't know if it will fry an op-amp, chip, or rice for that matter. I swear i'm not typing anymore now.