[Boatanchors] Those Harbor 'Fright' Soldering guns revisted

[rbethman]

I have had an Western Auto for longer than I can remember.

I've only had to replace the tip once.

It is one hefty gun shaped one.  It will allow me to solder to aluminum 
plate and steel chassis'.

Most of my soldering is with either and old Ungar with adjustable temp., 
or a Weller Model 100 that is also adjustable.

Then I have the station for SMT work, and it also has a pencil on the 
right side that is also very adjustable.

The only things I will say the Weller 100 "should" have done with it 
when you get it.

1) Put anti-seize on the screw that holds the tip in place.  I didn't at 
first, and had to send it back under warranty.  They took good care of 
me.  They have my vote when it comes to service.

2) I highly recommend that Thermal Grease used in electronics be placed 
into the bore prior to inserting the tip.  There is enough play between 
the tip and the pencil iron itself, that this really helps get the tips 
heated faster and easier.

If you are going to do this type of work, pay for the right tool! You 
won't go wrong!

Regards,
Bob - N0DGN



On 9/4/2015 6:17 PM, Tom Chesek wrote:
> My dad gave me a new Weller soldering gun when I was 14.  I still use it frequently and it works well.  I am now 64 so that is 50 years of excellent service.  It is usually best to buy a good quality tool right from the start rather than fiddle-fart with issues.  You get what you pay for.
>
> Tom k3tvc
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: David Knepper <collinsradio at comcast.net>
> Date: 09/04/2015  5:43 PM  (GMT-05:00)
> To: Boatanchors <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>,Phil <ko6bb1 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Those Harbor 'Fright' Soldering guns revisted
>   
> I, too, bought one of these soldering guns and, unfortunately, it did not
> take long for the plastic to melt around the holder.
>
> I quit using it!
>
> David Knepper - W3CRA/W3ST