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Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

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Nr4c

Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

Is this a good gen purpose soldering station? Good or bad?

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

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Eric Ross

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In the WTCPT If you want to change the temperature you will have to
change the tip. I have been using the WESD51 which has a knob
adjustable temperature setting. During the build of my K3 being able to
adjust the temp based on what I was soldering was very handy. I have
never had a bad experience with a Weller bench soldering station. I
used to abuse them heavily professionally and they worked great.

Eric
WB7SDE

On Thu, Jun 5, 2014, at 10:16 AM, Nr4c wrote:

> Is this a good gen purpose soldering station? Good or bad?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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John W. Tipka

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Nr4c

Bill,

Absolutely bulletproof... I have owned one for over fifteen years and
have built
three K2's with it. Superb for its price point - ~$140-$150.
It is ESD safe, has over 35 different tips in the 600, 700, and 800
degree heat-range,
a quick disconnect plug for the iron on the power unit, etc... for quick
change of irons.
It seems Weller has supported them forever. Replacement parts, which I have
never needed, except for tips, are readily available from electronic
equipment suppliers.

73 John W8UL

On 6/5/2014 1:16 PM, Nr4c wrote:

W2RMS

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

I'm using a WESD51 station as well and like it.
Turn the knob to change the temp is nice.
Also huge number of tips available...
__________________
Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS
[hidden email]

On Jun 5, 2014, at 2:07 PM, John W. Tipka <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Bill,
>
> Absolutely bulletproof... I have owned one for over fifteen years and have built
> three K2's with it. Superb for its price point - ~$140-$150.
> It is ESD safe, has over 35 different tips in the 600, 700, and 800 degree heat-range,
> a quick disconnect plug for the iron on the power unit, etc... for quick change of irons.
> It seems Weller has supported them forever. Replacement parts, which I have
> never needed, except for tips, are readily available from electronic equipment suppliers.
>
> 73 John W8UL
>
>
> On 6/5/2014 1:16 PM, Nr4c wrote:
>> Is this a good gen purpose soldering station? Good or bad?
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
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>>
>>
>
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Eric Ross

My WTCPT wore out (base cracked, etc.) after 15-20
years; still usable but ... . I looked around and
ended up replacing it with the WESD51 for the
reasons cited below. As I recall the price was
about the same because the WTCPT is now out of
production.

Phil W7OX

On 6/5/14, 10:52 AM, Eric Ross wrote:

> In the WTCPT If you want to change the temperature you will have to
> change the tip. I have been using the WESD51 which has a knob
> adjustable temperature setting. During the build of my K3 being able to
> adjust the temp based on what I was soldering was very handy. I have
> never had a bad experience with a Weller bench soldering station. I
> used to abuse them heavily professionally and they worked great.
>
> Eric
> WB7SDE
>
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2014, at 10:16 AM, Nr4c wrote:
>> Is this a good gen purpose soldering station? Good or bad?
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> ...nr4c. bill
>>
>> _____________

Gary K9GS

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Nr4c

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 <[hidden email]> </div><div>Date:06/05/2014 12:16 PM (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: elecraft <[hidden email]> </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

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Michael Walker

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

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 <[hidden email]> 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 <
> [hidden email]> </div><div>Date:06/05/2014 12:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
> </div><div>To: elecraft <[hidden email]> </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
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Nr4c

The best

George, W6GF

On Thursday, June 5, 2014 10:48 AM, Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

Is this a good gen purpose soldering station? Good or bad?

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

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 <[hidden email]> 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 <[hidden email]> 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 <
>> [hidden email]> </div><div>Date:06/05/2014 12:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
>> </div><div>To: elecraft <[hidden email]> </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=

Joseph Trombino, Jr

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Gary K9GS

Howdy Gang:

I had a Weller WTCPT soldering station for several years...it performed well.

Several years ago I decided to try a Hakko 936 soldering station (based largely on excellent reports posted to the QRP-Lists.

The 936 was an excellent performer...when the new digital FX888D station came out I decided to buy it.

This is an excellent soldering station ala the 936 and I have had very good results with the unit.

Again, based on comments posted to the QRP-Lists I bought a couple of replacement tips from Plato.

The Plato tips are superb and will be the only tips I buy from now on.

Best of luck in your choice.

73, Joe W2KJ
I QRP, therefore I am
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Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by John W. Tipka

FWIW, the FX-888D, at a MSRP of $107.47, or about $92 from Amazon, is ESD safe, has a DIN plug connected hand piece that will accept 30 available tips, all of which can be temp controlled between 120 & 899 °F. It also accepts a hot tweezers for SMD work, and offers five user selectable preset temps.

http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?CID=49&PID=5085&Page=1

73 de Dennis KD7CAC
Scottsdale, AZ

On Jun 5, 2014, at 11:07 AM, John W. Tipka <[hidden email]> wrote:

Bob & Debbie Fish

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

You guys got me thinking that I bought my Hakko 936 in 2004 to build a
newly purchased K2. So, I have had it for ten years. It has been in the
yard, on the roof and all over the property working on various antenna
projects as well as a bunch of bench work. It has performed well, while
suffering unspeakable mistreatment, without a complaint for 10 years
now. Maybe it's time for an upgrade.... so I bought a Hakko FX-888D this
afternoon from Amazon, the 936 deserves a retirement. Well, it will be a
semi-retirement (it will be my garage soldering iron for the rest of its
days). Thanks alot, you guys cost me a c-note today!!

Bob K6GGO

> FWIW, the FX-888D, at a MSRP of $107.47, or about $92 from Amazon, is ESD safe, has a DIN plug connected hand piece that will accept 30 available tips, all of which can be temp controlled between 120 & 899 °F. It also accepts a hot tweezers for SMD work, and offers five user selectable preset temps.
>
> http://www.hakkousa.com/detail.asp?CID=49&PID=5085&Page=1
>
> 73 de Dennis KD7CAC
> Scottsdale, AZ
>
> On Jun 5, 2014, at 11:07 AM, John W. Tipka <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Bill,
>>
>> Absolutely bulletproof... I have owned one for over fifteen years and have built
>> three K2's with it. Superb for its price point - ~$140-$150.
>> It is ESD safe, has over 35 different tips in the 600, 700, and 800 degree heat-range,
>> a quick disconnect plug for the iron on the power unit, etc... for quick change of irons.
>> It seems Weller has supported them forever. Replacement parts, which I have
>> never needed, except for tips, are readily available from electronic equipment suppliers.
>>
>> 73 John W8UL
>>
>>
>> On 6/5/2014 1:16 PM, Nr4c wrote:
>>> Is this a good gen purpose soldering station? Good or bad?
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> ...nr4c. bill
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

Edward R Cole

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

In reply to this post by Nr4c

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:
[hidden email]

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Nr4c

Re: Weller WTCPT soldering sta....?

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 <[hidden email]> 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:
> [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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