[Boatanchors] Weller Iron Frustrations

[john fitzsimmons]

I also *hate* Weller guns, and I've had the same experiences with the tips eventually breaking, going high resistance, needing to be tightened, etc.  It's highly annoying.

Find an old Wen soldering gun.  The tip is iron and it's welded onto the electrodes.  It's almost instant heat and the tip NEVER goes bad.  I have one that my dad bought new circa 1959 that, although the case is broken, still works fine with the original tip. 

You'll never mess with one of those stupid Wellers again after using a Wen.


>________________________________
> From: Jim Wilhite <w5jo at brightok.net>
>To: Boatanchors Mail List <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net> 
>Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 8:38 AM
>Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Weller Iron Frustrations
> 
>
>Use an anti-seize compound on your tips, be they irons or guns.  That helps 
>stop that oxidation and subsequent heat loss.  Also makes changing tips much 
>easier because the nuts or screws don't gall.
>
>You can probably find a suitable small tube of the stuff at your 
>neighborhood car parts store in the form-a-gasket section.
>
>Jim
>W5JO
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>
>
>
>> Re:  Weller Iron Frustrations
>>
>> We've discussed this before, but I'm hoping some new ideas have evolved.
>>
>> Weller soldering irons with the copper tips make me want to pull my hair 
>> out- both of them.
>> The copper tips will make about two joints before they go
>> Hi-Z at the tip connection points.  I have to either
>> tap the tip several times or re-tighten the tip mounting set screws to 
>> break the oxide barrier and get decent heat.
>>
>> Is there some kind of compound I can put on a new tip to
>> prevent this?  I've thought of maybe stuffing the tip sockets with 
>> solderwick or something.... anything... to keep decent contact
>> for more than two or three joints.
>> Gotta get two more kids raised before a hot-air station is
>> realistic and I don't think it works all that spiffy on our
>> kind of joints, anyway.
>>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>Boatanchors mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>
>List Administrator: Duane Fischer, W8DBF
>** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
>
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>