[Boatanchors] Soldering Station Advice

[Rod Hogg]

We've been down this road before on soldering irons/stations.  Note of
experience we use a Weller WTCP fixed wattage station and the PTA7 tips on
bench here at shop.  Have two of these, are on at around 9AM and off at 7PM
Mon-Sat.  Tips last several months, main thing, keep them clean and flooded
with fresh solder regularly.  Had one station finally fail, out fault didn't
notice the short in secondary wiring soon enough, it lasted 22 years!
Current unit WTCPS is 10-15+ years old.  We have "Bertha" on call for heavy
stuff, an old Western Electric frame iron, has about a 1/2lb tip.  That
sucker will hold heat good.

Hakko is good.

A 'sleeper' is the new RadioShack digital station, their sku 64-053, not too
expensive and seems to work real nice. 

Rod
KØEQH

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Keith Densmore
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 11:49 AM
To: Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Boatanchors] Soldering Station Advice

Hey All,
My trusty old irons are well past their prime and I wouldn't mind upgrading.

As it is, I use one low wattage station for the ss stuff and a heavier iron 
for tube and heavier jobs.
Question...can anyone recommend a variable heat iron good for both? Or a 
station with two irons in it? If anyone knows it will be you guys.

73,
Keith VE3TS