Antex Electronics precision soldering tools and temperature stations
Antex Electronics precision soldering tools: XS25 and CS18 hand irons, digital TCS50W stations, MK2 and 1100 copper bits, and replacement heating elements.
Antex Electronics: British manufacturer of precision soldering tools and stations
Founded in the United Kingdom, Antex Electronics has manufactured professional soldering tools for over 70 years. The Plymouth factory produces soldering irons, digital stations, and accessories featuring direct bit-over-element fitment for maximum heat transfer without thermal loss.
- Specialized manufacturing facility in Plymouth with continuous operations since 1945
- Direct slide-on bit geometry over the internal heating core eliminating air gaps
- Resilient polycarbonate tool handles engineered for cool ergonomic industrial grip
- Qualified factory quality control system maintaining adherence to ISO 9001:2015
Antex precision soldering irons: XS25, CS18, and miniature hand tool models
The Antex precision iron family encompasses the 25W XS25, the 18W CS18, and miniature M12 irons. Fitted with heat-resistant burn-proof silicone wiring, these hand tools maintain uniform joint temperatures during precision electronic prototyping and circuit board servicing.
- General-purpose XS25 25W iron for electronic assemblies and component reworking
- Miniature CS18 18W iron designed for delicate high-density electronics soldering
- Resilient burn-proof silicone power cabling preventing damage from hot contact
- ESD protective ground path from working soldering bit through the power cable
Antex temperature-controlled soldering stations and TCS series digital irons
Antex temperature-controlled equipment spans the 50W TCS50W digital iron with handle push-buttons and modular 660TC bench stations. Continual temperature adjustment from 200 to 450 °C shields sensitive semiconductor components from thermal shock during continuous industrial assembly.
- Digital TCS50W 50W soldering iron featuring push-button control inside handle
- Bench soldering stations 660TC and TCSU-1 adjustable across 200 to 450 °C range
- Embedded thermocouple sensor providing rapid dynamic thermal drop recovery
- Full interoperability with standard multi-layer 1100 series soldering tips
Antex industrial heavy-duty irons: HP and ST/SH series for high-mass joints
The Antex heavy-duty industrial iron range is engineered for soldering thick busbars, grounding lugs, heat exchangers, and sheet metal parts. Units rated up to 250W operate with solid copper bits up to 25 mm in diameter, providing high thermal mass for demanding field applications.
- Heavy industrial soldering tools rated up to 250W for high-mass electrical joints
- Solid copper soldering bits up to 25 mm diameter delivering high thermal reserve
- Reinforced flexible rubber power cable resistant to oil and mechanical abrasions
- Ergonomic tool body with integrated heat shield protecting operator hand
Antex replacement copper soldering bits: MK2 and 1100 series geometries
Precision-machined Antex replacement tips are manufactured from oxygen-free copper and plated with iron and nickel layers to combat solder erosion. The MK2 range fits 3.5 mm element shafts, while the 1100 series serves 4.5 mm shafts in conical, chisel, bevel, and fine needle profiles.
- MK2 series fitting 3.5 mm element shafts for M12, C15, G18, and TC25 models
- 1100 series fitting 4.5 mm element shafts for CS18, XS25, and bench stations
- Multi-layer iron and nickel electroplating preventing copper erosion in solder
- Ultra-fine 1107 bit 0.12 mm needle tips for high-density micro-soldering tasks
Antex replacement heating elements, safety stands, and field repair spares
To sustain equipment lifetime, Antex manufactures replacement heating elements across 12V, 24V, 115V, and 230V options. Spares and accessories include metal ST6 safety bench stands, desoldering suction pumps, refillable Gascat 60 butane irons, and industrial solder melting pots.
- Replacement heating elements for rapid tool maintenance and coil restoration
- Metal bench safety stands ST6 and ST6A designed to keep tool handle ambient
- Portable Gascat 60 butane-powered irons for cordless field wiring operations
- Static-safe desoldering pumps and solder melting pots for wire-end tinning
British electrothermal engineering traditions and development of Antex Electronics
Founded in 1945 in the United Kingdom, Antex Electronics established a solid reputation as a leading European developer of precision electric soldering tools, temperature-controlled stations, and specialized hardware for electronic manufacturing assemblies.
Headquartered in Plymouth, Devon, the manufacturing site incorporates research laboratories, machining lines, and assembly cells.
The factory manufactures soldering irons featuring an innovative geometry where the tip slides directly over the internal heating core, substantially enhancing heat transfer without peripheral dissipation.
Thanks to this direct contact, an Antex tool rated at 25W matches the thermal delivery of traditional 40W units. Production workflows maintain strict adherence to the ISO 9001:2015 standard.
Thermal parameters and ergonomics of XS25 and CS18 precision soldering irons
Antex flagship precision soldering tools of the XS25 25W and CS18 18W series are engineered specifically for delicate assembly and servicing across high-density circuit board designs.
Handle components are precision-molded from structural high-impact polycarbonate featuring low thermal conductivity, keeping the operator grip ambient during continuous production shifts.
The flexible power cabling is shielded with a resilient flame-retardant silicone elastomer that withstands direct contact with hot soldering tips without melting or insulation breakdown.
The internal grounding lead connects directly to the heating element mount, providing an ESD protective discharge path compliant with sensitive semiconductor requirements.
Temperature regulation systems of 660TC stations and TCS50W digital irons
For assembly operations demanding strict thermal profiles with lead-free and eutectic alloys, Antex manufactures 660TC and TCSU-1 bench stations along with TCS50W digital irons.
The TCS50W model incorporates a microprocessor control unit inside its polycarbonate handle with push-button setpoints and a digital readout for fine on-site adjustments.
The 660TC bench stations feature a precision analog potentiometer with continual adjustment from 200 to 450 degrees Celsius, providing dependable thermal stability on heavy ground planes.
Galvanic isolation of the 24V AC heating circuit eliminates line interference and transient voltage spikes from reaching sensitive sensors.
Industrial heavy-duty HP and ST/SH series irons for high-mass joints
Assembly of high-current wiring harnesses, grounding busbars, transformer windings, and copper heat exchangers demands substantial thermal energy delivery.
The Antex heavy-duty industrial series rated up to 250W utilizes solid copper soldering bits up to 25 millimeters in diameter, providing high thermal storage to heat heavy conductor cross-sections.
Heavy-duty tools are built for rugged shop environments: the heating assembly is shielded by a stainless steel sleeve, and incoming wiring is protected with flexible oil-resistant rubber insulation with cord strain relief.
A metal heat shield installed ahead of the handle protects the operator hand from radiant heat during heavy soldering jobs.
Manufacturing technology of MK2 and 1100 series copper replacement bits
Tool operating lifespan and joint integrity depend upon the metallurgical resistance of replacement tips. Antex machines MK2 series tips with 3.5 mm shaft diameters and 1100 series tips with 4.5 mm shaft diameters from high-conductivity oxygen-free copper.
The copper core undergoes heavy iron electroplating to prevent copper leaching into aggressive molten solder.
An additional nickel layer and non-working chromium plating prevent solder spreading outside the target tip facet.
The pre-tinned tip zone provides prompt wetting with flux-cored alloys, with the portfolio spanning ultra-fine 1107 bit 0.12 mm needle tips for micro-soldering through wide chisel profiles for heavy ground traces.
Heating element replacement procedures and service maintenance protocols
To support long equipment service life, Antex produces interchangeable replacement heating elements across 12V, 24V, 115V, and 230V specifications, restoring initial tool performance without complete unit retirement.
Modular threaded construction allows in-house technicians to replace heating elements directly at the workstation.
Workstation hardware includes stable metal ST6 and ST6A safety stands with coiled spring holders that dissipate idle heat safely.
The product lineup also encompasses Gascat butane-fueled cordless irons for field cable installation, manual desoldering vacuum pumps for component removal, and solder melting pots for wire-end tinning.
Antex Electronics and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Antex Electronics and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.
Related equipment manufacturers
- Equipment and parts for SPARK Electronic S.r.l.
- Equipment and parts for Silicon Image
- Equipment and parts for Led
- Equipment and parts for Artin
- Equipment and parts for Ceodeux
Documents and sources
- Official manufacturer portal — Antex precision soldering irons and equipment range
- Precision soldering irons — technical data for Antex XS25 and CS18 hand tools
- Heavy duty industrial irons — technical parameters for Antex HP and ST/SH series
- Temperature controlled stations — continual regulation on Antex TCS50W irons
- Cordless butane irons — portable Antex Gascat tools for field wiring operations
- Replacement soldering tips catalog — copper geometries for Antex MK2 and 1100
- Heating elements and accessories — service maintenance spares for Antex tools
- Manufacturing headquarters and factory — Antex Electronics facility in Plymouth
