[Elecraft] soldering station info

[G. Beat]

Some comments, each station design has its strengths and weaknesses

The Haako 936 uses ceramic heaters - some users swear by them other swear at 
them.
The true Haako replacement heaters are NOT cheap - and their are already 
Chinese copies of poorer quality (users beware of future "cheap" 
replacements.  IF you drop the iron - the ceramic can (and does crack) - 
causing failures.

The Weller "EC" series (EC1002, EC2002) was discontinued by Weller in 2002. 
The Weller WES51 (WES50 earlier) was introduced around 1999 as a direct 
competitor for the Haako 936.  The Pace ST-25 is also of this same "class" 
of station

The price points (~ $90 ) are virtually identical for the Haako 936 and 
WES51 (Fry's Electronics still has cheapest price for a walk-in store 
purchase in US)  - both are temperature controlled (knob up front) - as well 
as the Pace.

The WES51 offers a magnetic wand to "set" or "lock" the temperature.  The 
replacement iron for the WES51 is $30 .. significantly less than the Haako 
or its heater.

The more expensive units (Hakko, OKI, Weller, Pace etc.) feature temperature 
set-backs

The Weller "TCP" series is still a tremendous bargain (and still made after 
40 years of production and 50 years after first patent filing.  Either used 
or new - any competent Elecraft builder can repair it !
The surface mounted control board (knob and all) stations -- require 
expensive control boards, thermostats or heater assemblies - and MUST be 
properly calibrated for temperature - or the knob has NO meaning !!

w9gb


Sometime simplicity
============================
Like you, I have a Hakko 936. The reason I like it over the Weller in a $100
soldering station is for the Hakko's front-panel temperature control instead
of changing tips to change temperatures. Of course Weller offers front-panel
temperature change too, but at substantially more money than the Hakko.