A method and apparatus for precisely controlling the temperature of a heated tip are disclosed. The temperature of a thermocouple within the tip is sensed at a selected rate. The sensed temperature is compared with a preselected temperature set by a user. The power provided to heat the tip is varied to cause the tip to achieve the selected temperature. If an AC power source is used, the temperature sensed at each zero crossing of the power source and the amount of power provided within that cycle is based on the temperaature of the tip sensed within the same cycle. The duration of time that heat is applied to the probe within the cycle is varied to achieve the desired temperature. If a DC power source is used, the temperature of the tip is sensed at selected intervals. The sensed temperature controls the amount of power provided to heat the tip. The exact temperature of the tip is thus advantageously controlled to provide the desired heating.
