[Elecraft] Weller WTCP station series

Sun Mar 28 08:53:01 2004

Greg,

I concede that you have a better argument.

73
Kevin
VK3DAP / ZL2DAP

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] =
[mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of G. Beat
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 9:59 PM
To: Kevin B. G. Luxford; 'elecraft_list'
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Weller WTCP station series

Kevin -

I have often heard the argument (complaint) about changing the tip to =
change

temperature -
BUT you have to change the tip on ALL irons (e.g. Weller, Haako, Metcal, =

Pace) -
when you desire a different iron tip size (1/32", 1/16" or 1/8") or =
profile=20
(e.g. conical, screwdriver)
for proper soldering of a different joint configuration.

In fact, the Weller TCP still survives in production usage to prevent=20
operators on the assembly line
from changing the soldering temperature (quality & assembly control).  =
Most=20
people forget that the Weller
TCP series pre-dates the availability and extensive usage of solid-state =

components
(yes, the original TCP design in the 1950s was during the vacuum tube =
era).

My workbench has a number of temperature adjustable soldering stations =
(Pace
MBT and ST systems, Weller "EC" series). So they are a "nice to=20
have" - but not necessary for
the kit-builder - looking to save money.

The important point is that new kit builders should be using a =
temperature=20
controlled iron
(not an unregulated "stick" soldering iron) for Elecraft assembly (or =
any PC

board assembly).

73, Greg
w9gb

----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Kevin B. G. Luxford" <[email protected]>
To: "'G. Beat'" <[email protected]>; "'elecraft_list'"=20
<[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 6:06 AM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Weller WTCP station series

I have had a Weller WTCP station for quite some years and it works very =
well
indeed.  The only problem is that in order to change the temperature, =
one
must change the tip.  I think this is a bit of a pain.  However, others =
may
not agree with me.

I do like to have control over the tip temperature, and that is where =
iron
controllers that have a temperature adjustment mechanism and a =
temperature
readout win out for me.  Maybe I am just a control freak.

73
Kevin
VK3DAP / ZL2DAP

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] =
[mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of G. Beat
Sent: Sunday, March 28, 2004 9:00 PM
To: elecraft_list
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Weller WTCP station series

Jerry -

I did not know about usage for Apollo LM assembly -- but the original =
Weller

TCP
units were used at Collins for "S" line assembly and repair.

You will not get an argument from me about the Weller TCP series - and =
its
ease of repairability.  While the new units may be expensive - the used =
TCP
series stations units in very good cosmetic conditions (on
eBay) are real bargains !
(often selling for less then $ 25.00)

I recently acquired some NOS TC369A plug repair kits (3 pin plug) and =
older
style CS100HB handle & cord sets (for older wired-in TCP1 and PU-1 base
units) -- to keep the older style units ( > 25 years old )... still =
running.

Greg
w9gb

> Date: Thu, 25 Mar 2004 09:18:36 -0600
> From: [email protected]
> Subject: [Elecraft] WTCP soldering station series
>
> I've been using the Weller WTCP station for over 25 years...I'm 73 and =

> have been soldering since my teens, everything from commutators in 10K =

> generators sets to circuit boards for the LEM...Tip changing is a=20
> non-issue, I have never had to change from the 700 degree tip...The=20
> temperature sensing device is right in the tip, not up inside the=20
> handle, so it reacts much faster to tip cooling...
> I recently bought a Hakko solder station because my old
> Weller WTCP station broke down...
> This week I repaired the Weller and it is back
> on the bench because it works better for me...
>
> I know this is going to generate a lot of flames and I am not going to =

> react to that...In my humble opinion, the Weller is one of the=20
> best...It's more expensive, but you get what you pay for...
>
> Jerry, wa2dkg
> K2 #2549

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