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

[Nr4c]

To Ed and all the others who responded to my query. 

I weighed all your ideas and bought a Weller WESD51. Nice unit and does have var temp. 

So far works well. 

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill


> On Jun 6, 2014, at 3:48 PM, Edward R Cole <kl7uw at acsalaska.net> wrote:
> 
> 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
>    "Kits made by KL7UW"
> Dubus Mag business:
>    dubususa at gmail.com
> 
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> 
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to nr4c at widomaker.com