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

[Edward R Cole]

I used several Weller solder stations thru the years.  I just retired 
to the garage, a model WCC for which I can no longer find tips.  I 
had one tip about 1/4 to 3/8 inch wide chisel point that was great 
for very heavy soldering of large metal objects (actually too much 
for a PL-259).  Lost it last fall outside.  But I finally just tired 
out of trying to keep a tin on the old point that I used for sm 
soldering (typ 0805 and 1206 size).  My dog and my wife were tired of 
my rant against the old POS.

So I sent my $300 to a Amazon.com vendor and bought a brand new Hakko 
FX-951, with three tips: T15-ILS conical (for I know not what), 
T115-D12 (for most sm work), and T15DL52 with 1/4-inch chisel for 
heavy-duty (incl PL-259's).

I have built two pc boards in the two weeks I have had the new solder 
station and it is amazing.  Both boards are major projects with over 
100 components.  I dial in the temperature exactly to what I want and 
the unit maintains that while soldering; not just a rheostat but a 
full feedback temp control.

Even soldering some filter cans to the ground plane of the pcb was 
done well with the D12; previous use of the WCC was total muck-up 
cold soldering which required using the 3/8-inch tip to get good flow.

I like the wire tip cleaner vs using a wet sponge.  It keeps tip 
bright and ready.  I do a quick plunge-swipe before each sm component 
is soldered.  I've found with a little experimentation that 670F 
works well for sm with 60/40 solder.  The T15-DL52 seems very hot at 
this temp, making quick work of heavier items.

But if you are not a person that uses a solder iron a lot, the Weller 
probably is a reasonable choice.  If You build a lot or for work, 
then the FX-951 is what you want!  I have no desire to go back to Weller.

73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
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