Soldering gun doesn't get hot

[Chrislols]

Long story short, in the back of my dads garage I found a Weller 240/200 soldering gun.

While I'd love to use it it doesn't heat up (is that considered non working?).

I bought some new tips for it, and disassembled it, as shown in the photo.

I know it's not in the best condition, but I can only hope. This being the general tool discussion, maybe somebody can help.

When I press the trigger down, I can see a spark in the handle, and it hummmms like it's working, but it doesn't get hot anywhere on it. Is this thing shot because of it's age / condition, or is there a simple fix?

The LED's don't light up either, but if there's a simple fix, I'd replace those also.

Thanks a lot guys!

-Chrislols

 

[Outlawmws]

If it's humming its likely working; you need to make sure you have good clean solid contact at the tip/nut junction to the gun posts, and that is not a new tip, it could be burned out.

 

[brett09]

Also the two I have take 20-30 second to heat up. Both of mine have 2 trigger stages, the first click on the trigger is high, the 2nd is low.

 

[Chrislols]

If it's humming its likely working; you need to make sure you have good clean solid contact at the tip/nut junction to the gun posts, and that is not a new tip, it could be burned out.

The picture is before replacing the tip, nothing about it gets hot at all.

Even with the new tip it just hums and stays cold.

Also the two I have take 20-30 second to heat up. Both of mine have 2 trigger stages, the first click on the trigger is high, the 2nd is low.

As does I, do I have to hold down the trigger for 20 seconds for it to -work-?

 

[Outlawmws]

As does I, do I have to hold down the trigger for 20 seconds for it to -work-?

At least...

 

[Outlawmws]

Also the two I have take 20-30 second to heat up. Both of mine have 2 trigger stages, the first click on the trigger is high, the 2nd is low.

I think you have that backwards? One click low, 2 clicks high.

 

[srmofo]

Save your money and watch this gun. It goes on sale from time to time for $25. Its a beast compared to the gun you are trying to repair
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-dual-heat-soldering-gun/p-00927320000P

looks like it might be a lack friday deal at $40 also
http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthr...fessional-Dual-Heat-Soldering-Gun-39.99-sears

Be warned the tips are expensive because it includes the heating element. Its actually cheaper to stock up when they are $25 than it is to buy the tip seperately

 

[Outlawmws]

SNIP
The LED's don't light up either, but if there's a simple fix, I'd replace those also.

Thanks a lot guys!

-Chrislols

BTW those aren't LED lights; they are incandescent, and I'd bet that if you unscrew the bulb, and polish the lead tip contact on your jeans, they will light right up after re-install, While you have them out check the inside of the socket for any additional corrosion.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Save your money and watch this gun. It goes on sale from time to time for $25. Its a beast compared to the gun you are trying to repair
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-dual-heat-soldering-gun/p-00927320000P

looks like it might be a lack friday deal at $40 also
http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthr...fessional-Dual-Heat-Soldering-Gun-39.99-sears

Be warned the tips are expensive because it includes the heating element. Its actually cheaper to stock up when they are $25 than it is to buy the tip seperately

I hear there's someone on this board involved in the manufacture of that tool. There are several major players selling that tool, but Sears is the best price you will find. SO gets $116 for it. That tool starts out at 400w for fast heat up, then cuts back to 150 for use.

 

[Chrislols]

After putting in a new tip correctly, and reassembling the entire gun after a nice cleaning of the parts and case (degunking etc) the gun works perfectly! Now instead of trying to find the bulbs I'm going to go do the jean cleaning and see how it works!

These truly do work great even after 20 years of abuse (being thrown around in the weather in unenclosed garage.

Thanks so much for the info!

 

[trexdoink]

I have an old Weller i looked all over for a bulb and never found one. Has a funny ****** like tip. If you find one PM me!

 

[Steevo]

These bulbs work.

PHILIPS 222 .25A 2.25V TL-3 MINIATURE SCREW BASE

Look up Weller 7333 bulb on Google for a bunch of sources.

And according to the instructions, the trigger does go High first, then low if squeezed harder.

 

[Outlawmws]

And according to the instructions, the trigger does go High first, then low if squeezed harder.

Well I'll be dipped. I went and checked both my D550 and the little 8200N, and your right. (I've been running them mostly on low all these years!)

BTW both needed the light bulb contact tips cleaned to get the lights working...

 

[Chrislols]

Thanks for all the info guys, cleaning the contact tips didn't work I guess I'll try the other tips listed above.

 

[Larwyn]

Yep, I have the 200 watt Weller. It's always a pain to try to hold the first click for high wattage but that's the way they work. Glad you got yours working and I'm a bit shocked at the current price. Got mine in the late 60's for less than $20.00.

 

[brett09]

I think you have that backwards? One click low, 2 clicks high.

You got me thinking about it and I had to go check. Its an older weller, and the first click is high, 2nd (all the way down) low. Seems more intuitive the other way when you mention it.

 

[98TJ]

Save your money and watch this gun. It goes on sale from time to time for $25. Its a beast compared to the gun you are trying to repair
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-dual-heat-soldering-gun/p-00927320000P

looks like it might be a lack friday deal at $40 also
http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthr...fessional-Dual-Heat-Soldering-Gun-39.99-sears

Be warned the tips are expensive because it includes the heating element. Its actually cheaper to stock up when they are $25 than it is to buy the tip seperately

That's exactly what I did when my tip needed to be replaced - bought two entire units for the same price.

 

[TAftw]

A trick my dad showed me was to loosen the nuts holding the tip in until it gets hot, then tighten them back up. I don't know how he figured that out, but when in doubt I always try it and it seems to work.