Weller soldering stations

[ItsaBass]

Hi,

Amazon is having a sale on soldering stations. I am thinking that I should get my own soldering iron, as I have been borrowing my step dad's for years, and he occasionally needs it back. Minor hassle, I know, but I should get my own. Also, it is a blue Weller with no controls or automatic safety features. It's just an iron and a stand. A forum member suggested that I get one with a knob, so I have been thinking about that as well.

My question concerns the WES51 and WESD51 models. They are analog and digital versions of the same model, AFAICT. Are there any important advantages of the digital model? It is about $25 more.

Thank you.

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: Weller soldering stations

Weller is kind of overpriced, I think. I have this one on my wish-list: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I30QBW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2

 

[speed2dirt]

Re: Weller soldering stations

I have no idea about the digital versus analog. I assume you can be more precise. Rather than between 750 & 800 degrees, you could get precisely 767 degrees or whatever. Go for it if you think it's worth it. I noticed at last year's UGD, all the Seymour Duncan stations are setup with the Weller WES51, including MJ's in the custom shop. That was enough for me to go out and buy the WES51. Definitely no regrets. I can't believe how much easier soldering is now. Forget the cheap Radio Shack soldering irons, spend the extra money to get a good one that will last.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Weller soldering stations

I have the Weller WLC100 and it is perfect for doing any type of guitar wiring and small electronics.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Weller soldering stations

The WES51 is great, I don't need no digital.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Weller soldering stations

They are all made by the same factory. Might as well save a few bucks and get...

http://www.mpja.com/Solder-Station-Temperature-Controlled-ZD-932/productinfo/18895+TL/

Only $15, 50 watts, and works flawlessly. You don't need the precision that a digital station MAY give you. It's not important whether you have 46.5 0r 48 watts going to the tip.

 

[MisterE]

Re: Weller soldering stations

I have a regular Weller 25W with a light that does the job extremely well.

I would only get a station if I were to do a lot of soldering work, occasional mods not so much. YMMV here.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Weller soldering stations

I would not be without the station now.

 

[J E C]

Re: Weller soldering stations

Well I've been thinking about getting a soldering station, and now I have. This thread pushed my cheep **s over the edge ! It's about time. Thanks guys. I've ordered the Aoyue 937.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Weller soldering stations

I had a 45 watt Ungar iron for years that was great. The element burned out, so I bought a cheap 40 watt Radio Shack iron for like 15 bucks and it works just fine.

Recently shelled out 60 bucks for a 60watt Tenma digital soldering station from MCM electronics...do not like it. Doesn't heat up fast enough and doesn't seem to get hot enough or heat dissipates from the tip too fast or something. I would never buy a Tenma or other off brand iron again.

Either Weller should be great. I really don't see the need for the digital control.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Weller soldering stations

No need for digital at all.

40 watts should be a minimum if you solder to pots. The key is high heat for short duration. This gets the solder to flow without causing damage from too much heat contact time.

 

[MisterE]

Re: Weller soldering stations

No need for digital at all.

40 watts should be a minimum if you solder to pots. The key is high heat for short duration. This gets the solder to flow without causing damage from too much heat contact time.

I agree with you here as long as the person holding the iron is proficient enough to use it as I can remember in tech school when starting out a lot of us lifted the runs in the ic boards from prolonged contact with it. If soldering to components use heat sinks.

But lastly watch Seymour do it himself on youtube.

http://youtu.be/l__8SqmZWZ4

 

[Bludave]

Re: Weller soldering stations

For basic soldering this would be all you need.

For a much better system get something like this.

If you intend on soldering circuit boards you will need to be able to adjust the tips temperature otherwise you can fry the board. You really need to be careful soldering boards. If you plan on just swapping pickups I think the top one should work well.

 

[xntrick]

Re: Weller soldering stations

No need for digital at all.

40 watts should be a minimum if you solder to pots. The key is high heat for short duration. This gets the solder to flow without causing damage from too much heat contact time.

That solder station is a great price for sure but i solder to pots with a 25 or 30w iron. I just use a small of amount of flux and that heats everything quite nicely.