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This piece of metal was packaged with my new soldering iron.

Mysterious piece of metal

Does anybody know what is it ? Is it a stand ?

Voltage Spike
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JonathanD
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3 Answers3

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Yes it is a stand, if you push out the center piece so that it is about 45 degrees or more from the rest of the metal then you have a stand which will hold the iron off the surface. This tends to come with the Maplin irons in the UK.

JohnC
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  • Thanks ! I was not sure it was a stand: I fear that it will become too hot for my table when holding the iron. As for the iron itself, it is branded "Antex", but it seems that Maplin/Antex sells the same products anyway. – JonathanD Mar 10 '10 at 21:02
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    If you prop the plastic part on the soldering iron handle on the stand then it will not get hot. – JohnC Mar 10 '10 at 22:08
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    As the iron will be resting on the edge of the metal stand, there will not be enough surface area to conduct the heat from the iron to cause a scorch mark on the table top. Personally, I found that the sand to be too light but it's a freebie really. – geo_melb Mar 22 '10 at 01:08
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    @JonathanD - Also, if it is steel, the thermal conductivity is quite low. It will not get significantly hot anywhere but the small area near where the iron touches. – Connor Wolf Sep 12 '11 at 08:22
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    Bin it and get a proper one, like this: http://uk.farnell.com/antex/st-4/stand-for-antex-soldering-iron/dp/155214 - you'll appreciate it later! – Al Bennett Sep 12 '11 at 11:19
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Yup, it's a stand - here's a photo of it assembled:

Danny Beckett
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The holes are for securing it to the bench with a couple of screws.

Leon Heller
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    I think the holes are just strain relief but as you say they can be used to fasten the stand to a bench. – JohnC Mar 10 '10 at 22:10