2 Nov
2012
2 Nov
'12
5:34 p.m.
I used a Metcal at Lucent... it was awesome.? I'm
very sorry I wasn't
in town when they had their "closing the Western Electric Plant"
asset sale.? I hear the Metcals went for $50.
Recently, ebay prices have been pretty good.? Recent PS2 and MX-500-P11 units have fairly
regularly gone for as low as $50.? Handpieces with stands also in the $50 range (or new
handpiece for $70-80 from suppliers.)? I even saw a complete system with PS2, talon,
handpiece, and tips go for $75; and a talon with stand go for $79.? I keep it in my
search, just in case useful tips come up.? It seems that while the price of
"useless" stuff like vintage computing machinery is going through the roof,
prices of some very useful stuff are actually doing quite well--an example of the free
market in action for a near commodity.
I had used a weller working at a govenerment contractor, and for years in grad school (too
many years. . .), and bought one for home when I got out--obviously no complaints.? But
when I started stocking a lab from Ebay, I took a chance on a Metcal on Ebay, and have
been a convert ever since.
Dave