Extol Premium Analog Soldering Station

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Extol Premium Analog Soldering Station. This product has undergone rigorous reliability, safety, and quality testing according to European Union standards and regulations.

For any inquiries, please contact our customer and advisory center:

Website: www.extol.cz

Fax: +420 225 277 400 | Tel.: +420 222 745 130

Manufacturer: Madal Bal a. s., Průmyslová zóna Příluky 244, CZ-76001 Zlín, Czech Republic.

Issue Date: 15.3.2015

Technical Specifications

Replacement Accessories

• Soldering Tips, 2 pcs (Order No. 8894520A)

Characteristics

The Extol® Premium SGS 40 analog soldering station is primarily designed for soft soldering requiring precision, especially in electronics and jewelry making, where resistance to mechanical stress is not a primary concern. It can also be used for minor cutting or joining of plastics, and for burning symbols into wood.

The soldering station allows for fine temperature regulation according to the temperature sensitivity of the material being soldered, with a temperature change of approximately 5°C per millimeter of scale circumference.

• The soldering iron allows for fine, precise soldering work due to its thin tip and ergonomic grip similar to writing instruments.
• The rubberized handle ensures a comfortable grip during work and prevents fingers from slipping.
• Thanks to the long power cord and detachable stand, you do not need to be very close to the power source.
• The design allows the soldering station to be permanently placed on the workbench.

Note: The product is not intended for daily long-term operation, such as in production processes.

Components and Controls

Refer to Figure 1 for component identification:

• 1. Soldering Iron
• 2. Detachable Stand
• 3. Station Power Cord
• 4. Storage Compartment for Small Items
• 5. Power Switch
• 6. Temperature Adjustment Dial
• 7. Soldering Iron Cable

Preparation for Use

General Precautions

• Read the entire manual before use and keep it with the product for future reference. If lending or selling the product, include this manual. Prevent damage to this manual.
• Before replacing or installing the soldering tip, cleaning, etc., disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet.
• Wait for the soldering iron to cool down before replacing or installing the tip.

Inserting/Replacing the Soldering Tip

• Unscrew the tip flange from the soldering iron's thread and insert the soldering tip as far as it will go. Then, secure the tip by properly tightening the flange.

Installing the Soldering Iron Stand

• Insert the detachable stand into the slot of the soldering station base using the protrusion, or it can be placed freely on the workbench to rest the hot soldering iron.

Soldering Materials

This soldering station is designed for soft soldering, which involves creating electrically conductive joints using soft solder alloys based on tin, antimony, copper, silver, and zinc, along with flux (soldering paste) at operating temperatures up to 400°C. This is primarily for connecting wires for electrical current transmission where mechanical stress resistance is not expected.

• The melting point of the solder must be lower than the melting point of the material being joined.
• Solder is available in various forms and thicknesses, most commonly as wire wound on a spool.
• Fluxes remove metal oxides from the soldering surface, which prevent the solder from adhering. Metal oxides form on hot surfaces immediately after removal by means other than flux (e.g., mechanical removal), so flux must be used for quality joints.
• Fluxes used for soft soldering include soldering paste (a mixture of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride with organic fats) or rosin (an organic resin). Rosin can also be applied to the joint as a solution in alcohol.
• Fluxes for soft soldering are intended for soldering temperatures between 200-400°C.

Using the Soldering Station/Iron

General Precautions

• Ensure adequate ventilation and air circulation while using the soldering iron, as soldering produces fumes from volatile substances that are harmful to health.
• Verify that the outlet voltage matches the rating on the soldering iron's label and check the condition of the power cord plug.
• Inspect the station's power cord and the station with the soldering iron for any damage. If damaged, do not use it and arrange for repair at an authorized Extol® service center.
• Use the temperature adjustment dial to set the approximate temperature according to the task. Approximately 5°C change in temperature corresponds to one millimeter of the dial's circumference, with the lowest adjustable temperature being 200°C and the highest 400°C.
• Place the soldering iron in the stand, connect the soldering station to the power source, switch the power switch to the "I" position, and wait for the soldering tip to heat up.

Soldering Process

• Set the temperature according to the type of solder, typically between 200-400°C, depending on the soldering station's capabilities.
• Pre-Soldering: Clean the surface of the material to be soldered, remove mechanical impurities, degrease it, and remove any chemical surface treatment.
• 1. Dip the hot soldering tip into the flux and pick up a small amount of flux on the tip.
• 2. Transfer the melted flux on the tip to the surface of the material where another component (wire) will be attached using solder.
• 3. Use the hot tip to pick up solder from the wire or other supplied form.
• 4. Dip the hot tip with melted solder into the flux again.
• 5. Transfer the melted solder with flux on the hot tip to the same location where flux has already been applied.
• 6. Heat the area with applied solder and flux so that the solder slightly flows over the soldering point.
• 7. Using the same procedure, apply solder to the attachment point of the second component.
• 8. Finally, join the two parts by placing the end with applied solder onto the location where solder has been applied to the other part, and heat the solder at that point well with the tip of the hot soldering iron so that the metals merge, which is necessary for a quality joint of both parts. After melting the solder, place the hot soldering iron back into the stand and hold the component to be joined without moving until the solder solidifies. Use pliers, clamps, or a vise for thorough pressing.
• Note: If the joint is not heated sufficiently due to short contact time or low soldering temperature, a so-called cold joint will form. This is a joint characterized by poor wetting of the soldered material, a rough surface or granular appearance, and consequently, poorer electrical conductivity.
• If rosin in alcohol solution is used as flux, the contact point with the applied solution must also be heated with the hot tip of the soldering tool before applying solder, otherwise the oxide layer on the metal will not be removed.
• 9. After cooling, remove flux residues (soldering paste) with a solvent.
• If rosin is used, its residues generally do not need to be removed.

Welding/Cutting Plastics

• For thermal processing of plastics, set the temperature to approximately 200°C, depending on the type of plastic, within the capabilities of the soldering station.
• Thermally, only thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene (PP-H, PP-B, PP-R), polyester, polystyrene, PVC, nylon, etc., can be processed up to a certain temperature (the type of plastic should be indicated on the material). Thermoset plastics cannot be thermally processed as they will sinter (e.g., Bakelite, rubber).

Burning into Wood

• For burning symbols into wood, set the temperature in the range of 300-400°C within the capabilities of the soldering station.
• When burning characters into wood, adjust the speed of the soldering tip's movement across the wood surface according to the burning depth relative to the set temperature. If the tip is held in one place, it will penetrate deeper into the wood. It is recommended to try this method on a wood sample first.
• Note: Burning into wood produces intense smoke, so perform this activity in well-ventilated areas.

Safety Instructions for Working with the Soldering Iron

• Before connecting the soldering station to the power supply, ensure the soldering tip is correctly inserted and secured in the iron.
• If possible, wear suitable protective gloves without synthetic materials to protect against burns.
• When handling the hot attachment, be careful not to burn other people or animals.
• Do not touch the soldered area.
• In case of burns, cool the affected area intensively with cold water and consider medical treatment depending on the severity.
• Never carry a hot soldering iron. Let it cool down completely before transporting.
• Always place a hot soldering iron in its stand and ensure the hot tip does not touch anything. Never place the hot soldering iron down so that its hot parts touch anything.
• After finishing work, always turn off the soldering station by switching the power switch to the "0" position and disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet. Never leave a hot soldering iron unattended.
• Ensure that the insulation of the power cord is not damaged. Keep the cord at a safe distance from the soldering area. If the power cord is thermally damaged, immediately stop working with the soldering station, disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet, and arrange for repair of the station at an authorized Extol® service center.
• When working with the soldering iron, ensure that people in the vicinity are informed so that no one trips over the power cord and causes burns. Also, position the cord to minimize the risk of tripping.
• Do not use the soldering iron in environments with fire or explosion hazards.
• Protect the soldering iron from water and moisture entering the device.
• Never cool the soldering tip by immersing it in water.
• The EN 60335-2-45 standard requires the following statement in the manual for household appliances:
• This appliance may be used by children aged 3 years and older, and by persons with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, if they are supervised or have been instructed on the safe use of the appliance and understand the potential hazards. Children must not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user maintenance must not be carried out by children without supervision. Keep the appliance and its supply cord out of reach of children younger than 3 years.

Cleaning, Maintenance, Service

General Precautions

• Before cleaning or maintenance, disconnect the power cord from the electrical outlet.
• To clean the soldering tip, e.g., from plastic material, by wiping the soldering attachment with leather or textile without synthetic fibers, it is necessary for the tip to be still warm to allow for wiping off the adhered material. However, let the attachment cool down to the minimum necessary temperature. Use suitable protective gloves without synthetic material.
• Do not use aggressive cleaning agents or organic solvents (e.g., acetone-based) to clean the plastic housing of the soldering iron, as this could damage the plastic. For cleaning, use a damp cloth moistened with a detergent solution, but prevent water from entering the device.
• For warranty repairs, contact the dealer where you purchased the product, who will arrange for repair at an authorized Extol® service center. For post-warranty repairs, contact an authorized Extol® service center directly (service locations can be found on the website mentioned in the introduction).
• Only original manufacturer parts may be used for repairs.

Label and Symbol References

Refer to Table 1 for label and symbol information.

Storage

• Store the cooled soldering iron in a dry place out of reach of children. Protect it from moisture, radiant heat, and direct sunlight.

Waste Disposal

• According to Directive (EU) 2012/19, unusable electrical equipment must not be disposed of in mixed municipal waste due to the presence of environmentally hazardous substances. Instead, it must be handed over for ecological disposal to an electrical waste collection point. Information about collection points and collection conditions can be obtained from the municipal office or the seller.

Warranty Period and Conditions

• The product is covered by a warranty (liability for defects) for 2 years from the date of sale. If requested by the buyer, the seller is obliged to provide the buyer with the warranty conditions (rights from defective performance) in writing, in accordance with the law.

Warranty and Post-Warranty Service

• For warranty claims, contact the retailer where you purchased the product.
• For post-warranty repairs, you can also contact our authorized service center.
• The nearest service locations can be found at www.extol.cz.
• For inquiries, you can reach us at the service line 222 745 130 or via email at servis@madalbal.cz.