What about the Weller WD 1002 Anyone have any experience with it. I Have a 20+ year old 40 watt Weller WD 100 but i need something with a much smaller tip. Working in Z scale trying to solder to a nano sized Decoder where the solder pads are 1 mm or less apart is proving to be impossible with my current setup.
Aren't smaller replacement tips available for that iron? yes but not small enough Plus i think its getting ready to quit on me. Lately its bin taking longer and longer to heat up. And the last couple times i've used it the temperature has starting to fluctuate for no apparent reason. one minute its melting the solder just fine then all the sudden the solder is hardening on the tip and 15 seconds later it's liquid again. Just a little bit ago i was trying to solder a tined 32 gauge wire to a solder pad on a decoder and wound up with the tip, the decoder, and the wire all stuck soldered together for about 10 seconds till it heated up enough again. then a 1/2 second later the pads on each side of the one i was working on softened and the wires on them came loose. So in short I guess i'm in the market for as new Soldering Station. I don't mind spending a couple hundred $$$ on a quality station i just don't know enough to know which is right for my needs or which is quality and what is not.
Well, finally worked up the courage to try out my new Hakko and it is brilliant! Why I waited so long to buy a decent soldering system is NOW beyond me. It even makes me look (almost) proficient with soldering Four things I really like about this iron: 1. It heats up in a matter of seconds, 2. It cools down in a matter of seconds 3. The temperature control 4. The length of the cord for the iron itself.
Okay, I'm trying to go cheap, but wonder if anyone has experience with this one: X-Tronic Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station - 10 Minute Sleep Function, Auto Cool Down, C/F Switch, Ergonomic Soldering Iron, Solder Holder, Brass Tip Cleaner with Cleaning Flux 4.7 out of 5 stars #1 Best Seller in Soldering Stations Price: $49.80 Free Shipping for Prime Members In Stock Sold by XTronicUSA and Fulfilled by Amazon. 75 Watt Soldering Iron with Ergonomic Grip - Temperature Range of 392°F ~ 896°F/200°C ~ 480°C Also Includes a Stainless Iron Holder, Solder Roll Holder, Brass Sponge Tip Cleaner & Cleaning Flux Features "Magic Temp Technology", 10 Minutes Sleep Timer with Blue LED Display and C/F Function Temperature Stability: ±3.6°F/2.0°C - Tip-to-Ground Voltage: <5mV - AC 110V/60 Hz - NO 220V Available 1 Year 100% Fix/Repair Guarantee Including Parts & Labor and Includes a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
Well, I guess no one knows about this (or they're keeping it a secret lol), so I guess I'll get one and see how it works out!
Another good option that's under $59. I've had this one for a couple years and love it. Also can cheaply replace if/when element goes. Comes with 6 useful tips. http://www.mpja.com/mobile/Solder-Station-with-LED-Display-ZD-929C/productinfo/15845+TL/
Yep, I'm in the same boat! Once I was introduced to a quality iron and how much better I soldered it was all over. The Hakko is my backup system, I have a Pace system as my main unit. I even take a temperature controlled iron to shows. Greg
Got this today and am amazed how well it works. Didn't do much, just got it set up, tip tinned, and tinned a some 12 or 14 gauge multistrand wire. Couldn't believe how easy it is to work with compared an old soldering iron and soldering guns. As the guy kept exclaiming as he fell from the Empire State building, so far, so good! If it holds up, I couldn't be happier. btw- it now comes with a 3 year warranty.
