[Elecraft] soldering iron story

[G3VVT at aol.com]

The Weller TCP soldering iron must be the best thing since sliced  bread. Got 
mine in 1971 or 1972. Has a black hard bakelite cased PU1D 24V  PSU with a 
Bulgin miniature 3 pin power connector on the side for  the TCP-1 soldering iron 
which also uses bakelite for the handle. This version  may be UK specific, 
not sure.
 
Still works fine after all these years, though could do with the 3 core  
silicon rubber soldering iron cord being replaced. Not seen these listed by  UK 
Weller spares sources of late. Have also inherited a later TCP soldering iron  
with the thermoplastic cased PS2D PSU from my late father in law, G3UUA. The 
new  thermoplastic though it may look smart does not hold up to abuse like the 
old  hard bakelite did unless dropped. Not sure if the term bakelite is used in 
the  USA, but a similar material was used for panel meters, tube bases and  a 
multitude of other uses throughout the world.
 
Picked up the matching desoldering attachment that replaces the TCP element  
tube at a junk sale. The rubber bulb has now finally perished with age.
 
Anybody know of a source of replacements for these rubber bulbs?
 
Checks with dealers at later junk sales have drawn a blank apart  from 
thoughts they may have been used by the military in the UK.
 
Bob, G3VVT