---
title: On Solder Tip Cost and Life
description: Metcal Man Ed Zamborsky shares his thoughts on solder tip life vs. costs, and minimizing your total cost of ownership.
image: http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/2017%20Metcal%20Blog/August/SxV%20Series.jpg
---

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# Metcal Blog

## [On Solder Tip Cost and Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/on-solder-tip-cost-and-life)

 Aug 14, 2017 11:17:18 AM

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![SxV Series.jpg](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/2017%20Metcal%20Blog/August/SxV%20Series.jpg)Let’s face it soldering tips and cartridges cost money. And when you combine that with operators forced to solder at 850°F or higher to keep up to speed, those tips are breaking down and costing you a bunch of dollars.  

I was in a facility last month where they were so hung up on tip costs they never factored in the life of those inexpensive tips. In this factory, they were buying $4 tips that were lasting 3-4 days. Of course, their comment to me was that “my $8 tips were too expensive.” Sure they are twice the money, but in their evaluation they were lasting 20+ days. So in the long run they were increasing output and saving big money on operating costs.

With the [MFR series](http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/products/hand-soldering-systems/systems/dual-port-switchable/mfr-1300-series) of high performance but lower cost Soldering Systems, you have a choice of 2 tip styles developed especially for these systems. If your applications demand the precision of a soldering cartridge, there are lower cost high performance soldering cartridges that fit the needs of operators working in tight board locations or under microscopes. 

In addition, the [SxV range of tips](http://www.okinternational.com/metcal/english/globalnavigation/products/hand-soldering-systems/tips-and-cartridges/ps-mfr-tips), maximize the power transfer to your PCB while at the same time keeping your operating costs low. These replaceable tips combined with the MFR power supply make SmartHeat available to users who previously considered the technology out of reach for their production line. There is no other soldering station in the market that allows both a tip and cartridge. Add on top of this the ability to rework smaller components with the precision tweezer tool; you have an unprecedented system at this price point.

In addition to lower cost tips, all Metcal soldering systems come with [sleeper stands](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand). Each time your operator places the handpiece into the stand, the power supply automatically reduces the power delivered to the tip reducing the potential for tip oxidation. Pull it out and the power is restored immediately and the tip is ready to solder. No operator intervention is required. Your tip life goes up while your operating costs are reduced.   

For more about individual Metcal solder tips and applications, follow us on [social media](https://www.facebook.com/metcalsoldering) for Tip Tuesdays!

[![Tip Tuesday 62F13-009005-edited.png](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/Tip%20Tuesday%2062F13-009005-edited.png)](https://www.facebook.com/metcalsoldering)

 Topics: [Tip care](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-care) [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) [Soldering Station](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-station) [soldering iron](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-iron)

#### Written by [Ed Zamborsky](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/ed-zamborsky)

Ed Zamborsky is Metcal's Eastern Regional Sales Manager, as well as a Master Applications Engineer. Ed visits customers throughout North and South America helping them evaluate new and complicated PCB assembly and other difficult applications.

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