1 Sep
2000
1 Sep
'00
8:42 a.m.
I've had a weller station for about 15 years, and for the last 15 it's been
unused because it quit on me at a critical time. I replaced it with a
sami-fancy solder/desoldering station with a pump and everything built in,
but it used a glass tube in part of the solder-sucker, and one little slip
was all it took to break that, so it's been shelved for 5-6 years as well.
In the meantime, I've used a cheapo form Radio Shack, which I leave plugged
in all the time and simple buy a pair of screw-on tips whenever they get a
mite worn.
The Weller, new, cost about $75, and the fancy solder/desolder station cost
about $400, while the R/S iron cost about $5 and the tips still only cost
about $3 for a pair. I've replaced the heating element once, for $4. The
iron, meanwhile has gone up to about $10. This one is small enough that it
doesn't burn the boards, but hot enough to melt solder on the heavy ground
and power planes used today.
For portable use, I've got one of those butane-fired numbers from Weller.
It cost about $50 and I doubt I'll ever get enough use out of it to warrant
the cost. It does have a torch and a hot air nozzle, though, and those have
come in handy a time or two.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Ford <mikeford(a)socal.rr.com>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2000 1:10 PM
Subject: Re: Semi-OT: Soldering Iron recommendations
>>
>> I can't think of any good reason to buy a new soldering iron, my
ancient
>> Weller is still going strong after many many
years of heavy use.
>>
>
>Well, when the one it will be replacing is a 20 year old bottom of the
line
>Radio Shack piece of junk.... What I've got
is good enough for
electrical
wiring and
such, but it really doesn't cut it for electronics :^)
No, what I mean is go to a hamfest and buy a nice old Weller for $10.