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Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 9:56 pm
by Andrew McSpadden
I have been using a non-adjustable Weller for years and want to upgrade to something variable and really nice. Any suggestions?

Re: Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:43 pm
by David King
The Weller WES51 or the WESD-51 if you want a 1980 style digital temperature readout. Both are rated 50 watts which is fine for most work.
If you need to pull the covers off humbuckers all day you might want the 70W WE1010NA with the 90's style readout.
https://www.tequipment.net/Weller/WE101 ... -Stations/

Re: Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:34 pm
by Daryl Kosinski
I had the older version of this on my bench when I was working.

For desoldering nothing else works as well.

Way more than you want to spend but it is the best.

https://www.amazon.com/Pace-Solder-Deso ... B000PDQMKY

Re: Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 8:19 pm
by Andrew McSpadden
Thanks David! Will it take my older weller tips? Tangent: I miss Portland.

Re: Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:54 pm
by David King
Andrew, I don't know much about Weller's tips since I have a competitor's system but tips are considered consumables and once they've begun to degrade they won't heat as efficiently and need to be tossed. One attribute of the Wellers is that they have an auto-shutoff which saves on tips.

Re: Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2018 2:14 pm
by Halgeir Wold
Weller TCP tips only fits TCP irons... TCP irons are controlled by a Curie magnet at the back of the tip, - regular controlled irons have a sensor that sits against the rear end of the tip..
BTW - I was assuming you have an old TCP iron - there are other tips to get with other temperatures..

Re: Soldering Iron Recommendations

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:10 am
by Ryan Miller
I have a weller 40w and Hakko soldering iron about a year.
Both are good brands. The weller i got it for $125 and use it for more than hakko.