Weller Soldering Gun

[Draccip]

I really came across a great deal at an estate sale a couple weeks ago. Got this old (not sure how old...60's maybe?) Weller 8200 still in the box. Looks like it's been only used a couple of times. Price was $2.50 and included some Kester solder and 3 new light bulbs. One cannot have enough Weller soldering guns.

 

[Outlawmws]

That model Weller was my first soldering gun for building slot cars. I worked for it for an older cousin (also into slot cars) and he bought it for me. He also showed me his design for ultra light slot cars. Man, those were the days!

 

[gungatim]

Just imagine how bad it might be if Ryan had posted a Craftsman "100" or Snap-On R-250 soldering gun instead of a Weller D-440.

well I prefer my craftsman to the weller...just because of the cool case...btw, I mainly work on tube amps with it...

 

[Outlawmws]

That Craftsman looks a lot like a WEN gun.. (Don't have one so can't compare)

 

[gungatim]

That Craftsman looks a lot like a WEN gun.. (Don't have one so can't compare)

I think it is, the two Weller's are above it. I believe WEN got sued for patent infringement...I've never actually used the Craftsman, just poking a little fun. use the weller's all the time.

I actually collect soldering irons, have half a dozen solid copper types you use with a torch, to the electric ones of the 20's/30's, and the weller/wen...bonus points if they are old enough ones have cloth covered cords on 'em!

 

[skruft]

The Weller 8200 and its larger brother work fine. They are just too powerful for the work that should be done with a pencil-type or soldering station. Get one of each for $5 at a flea market or garage sale.

Another model of roughly the same power (max 150w), slightly bigger, was made before the 8200.

 

[my58]

I still treasure my old weller, I have very fond memories of assembling lots of Heathkit projects.

I wonder if the kids of today will feel that same way 50 or 60 years from now about the tools they are using with their Arduino boards and projects. I hope so....

Imagine this forum in 50 or 60 years, instead of show us your Craftsman block grinders there will be a thread on restoring HF products (don't flame me, stranger things could happen). instead of arguing about why never use pvc for air they will be arguing about products safely containing their molecular regurgitaters.

 

[Dusty61]

i got a new Weller soldering iron from my wife last may for my birthday, i had a cheapo harbor fright soldering iron that DOES still work, but the case is pretty badly melted from using it, although i never used it REAL heavy.
the new Weller works great, i have two of their little orange soldering irons that i use for small stuff, mainly LED light repairs for lightbars and dash lights, but i don't use it very often, and i have one of the cordless 3 AA battery Weller ones that is great for one or two quick solders, and if you use GOOD batteries will last a while, but not if you try to do a whole bunch at one time.