[Elecraft] Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

[Dennis Griffin via Elecraft]

Higher temps when doing through hole soldering can allow one to get off the joint faster, thus not imparting as much heat into the board or component as might occur when dwelling with a cooler tip. At least that's been the jist or several articles I've read. I also think it's important to match the size of the tip, as well as the tip configuration, to what's being soldered; and when soldering something like 10 gauge wire to a pad or connector, it's important to have a tip with enough mass to hold the desired tip temp for the time needed to effect a good joint. Having a handful of tip sizes & shapes available for not much expense is an advantage with the Hakko, especially if using the station for many types of projects. I have an older Ungar 300 with a large tip that I used for building R/C car battery packs, but tips are impossible to find now. I thought that had kind of become the case with Weller as well.

73 de Dennis KD7CAC
Scottsdale, AZ

On Jun 5, 2014, at 12:03 PM, Michael Walker <va3mw at portcredit.net> wrote:

> Hi all
> 
> Like most here, we have never had the option with temperature control.
> Personally, you don't really require it.  I think my current station (I
> have a few) is at 400 and I just touch it.
> 
> I've soldered everything from SMT to PL259s with the same iron WTCPT.
> Sometimes I even think to change the tip.
> 
> There are many great video's on how to solder, but the key is just watching
> for the flow.  Using lots of flux does help too (if you like).
> 
> There are 2 key issues I have seen people do.  Not enough heat resulting in
> a cold solder joint.  Too much heat and you burn the board.  Watch for your
> solder to flow and then get in and get out.
> 
> Mike va3mw
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2014 at 2:46 PM, garyk9gs <garyk9gs at wi.rr.com> wrote:
> 
>> The problem with this model is the lack of a temperature control.
>> 
>> I much prefer the Hakko brand.
>> 
>> 
>> 73,
>> 
>> Gary K9GS
>> 
>> <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Nr4c <
>> nr4c at widomaker.com> </div><div>Date:06/05/2014  12:16 PM  (GMT-06:00)
>> </div><div>To: elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> </div><div>Subject:
>> [Elecraft] Weller WTCPT soldering sta....? </div><div>
>> </div>Is this a good gen purpose soldering station?  Good or bad?
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill=