You're right about it being in the hand. I had a run last month where the furnace was all over the place, but I just focused on keeping my pour rhythm the same every single time. The guy on the next line had newer stuff and more cold shuts than me. It's easy to blame the tools, but a steady routine makes a bigger difference.

It happens everywhere now, even picking a movie turns into a debate about ethics. We get stuck on the meta-question instead of just having the experience.

Maybe your luck holds, but a sharp rap just sounds like a future broken tile to me.

Yeah, and it's not just the sensors. Like @margaret_kelly55 said, you check the tech. But what about the paint thickness? A respray on a panel with a sensor can mess with the signal if it's not done just right. Now I worry about the fix holding up long after the car leaves.

Tbh, that 25 watt iron was probably fine for SMD with the right tip and technique. The temp control is a game-changer for consistency though.