[Elecraft] Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 34, Issue 22

[John J. McDonough]

----- Original Message ----- 
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 10:03:13 -0600
From: lbailey at aep.com
Subject: [Elecraft] Soldering Stn Bites the Dust...Time to Replace

> My soldering station which is an off-brand has bitten the dust so
> I'm looking for a new, name-brand, IC-safe, temp controlled tip
> station.  Any recommendations for model...Hakko or Weller?
>  I'm hoping to keep my expenditure to $125 or less.

Lynn

I recently broke down and got the Weller WD-1001 -- quite a bit more $$ than 
you are looking at, but a real dream to use.  I can't believe I put up with 
other stuff for so long.  This thing has an extremely lightweight pencil, 
with the grip very close to the tip, which makes for much better control 
when soldering those little bitty parts.  There is every possible tip 
available.  Also, the thing heats up amazingly quickly ... if I turn it on, 
by the time I can get the pencil to the work it is up to temperature. It 
notices when you quit using it, and cuts back, then eventually turns itself 
off to preserve the tip.  It heats so quickly the cutting back seems a bit 
redundant.

It is a real luxury to be sure, but why not enjoy your building?

72/73 de WB8RCR    http://www.qsl.net/wb8rcr
didileydadidah     QRP-L #1446 Code Warriors #35