[Elecraft] Soldering stations

[Jeremiah McCarthy]

Once again I read about having to change the tip in the Weller WTCP soldering station in order to change the temperature...This is just not so and makes me wonder if I am listening to someone who has never used the Weller...I have both the Weller WTCP and the Hakko 936 and the Weller wins, hands down...In my working days, over 40 years of soldering, I used Wellers, Paces, Edsyns, you name it, the Weller WTCP is my first choice...And, it is MADE IN THE USA!!!...

The temperature controlling element in the Weller is the tip..If the tip is not hot enough, the heater will come on and STAY on until it is hot enough...The Hakko's temperature is controlled by a thermostat that is mounted on the heater  up inside the handle...It is controlling the temperature of the heater, not the tip, and is at the top of the heater, as far away from the tip as you can get...I have had instances with my Hakko where the solder wire welded itself to the tip and would not come loose until the tip heated more, yet the idiot light on the control unit was flashing merrily on and off, indicating it was hot enough...

I use a PTB7 tip in the Weller for 99% of my work, including soldering the ground pins on the BNC connectors in the KX1 and the binocular cores in the KPA100...I have been using the same tip for years and it never discolors...The only time I have ever had to change a tip is when working room was the problem...We would have to change the tip in any iron under those circumstances, wouldn't we?...

My Hakko 936 is for sale...It has been used once, is effectively new, is still in original wraps in the original box, and comes with 2 extra tips and a brass-wool tip cleaner, and I will guarantee it...The first $65 dollar check takes it...

Jerry, wa2dkg