I've long held the idea that many tools made in the golden eras of our country were made better and, in many cases, were more functional than the tools we have available t...
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- Thread starter Ryan
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I've long held the idea that many tools made in the golden eras of our country were made better and, in many cases, were more functional than the tools we have available t...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
trainer
Well-known member
Falcon67
Well-known member
My dad had one of those and used it constantly. He worked for IBM in the ear of big iron and would bring home discarded PCBs to strip for project parts. He was also a Ham and built his own transmitter and antennas. I have a more modern late 80s model Weller station but it needs a new stick. The old one was cool with the little incandescent lights that came on with the trigger. I'd love to have one.
Steevo
Well-known member
I have three of the Weller "guns", all from that era, and all still as reliable as ever.
Of course, there are no more electronics stores around where you can walk in and buy tips, bulbs and solder, but it is all still available online.
Of course, there are no more electronics stores around where you can walk in and buy tips, bulbs and solder, but it is all still available online.
marty_p
Well-known member
Impeccable timing, Ryan; I just got my dad's from that era this past Sunday. It works as well today as the day it was bought, and the AC cord, housing, and even the gray plastic case are still pristine. I still marvel at the front work light feature, and I can't wait to start using it again.
And Steevo, thanks for the advice on searching for accessories; I think I'll stock up soon.
And Steevo, thanks for the advice on searching for accessories; I think I'll stock up soon.
coolreed
Well-known member
The dual heat Weller is a very good general purpose soldering gun and I have one. However, they are not good for some of the finer soldering required on PCB's.
In this day you have to have several different soldering guns/irons to get by.
Weller generally makes some of the best soldering irons available.
In this day you have to have several different soldering guns/irons to get by.
Weller generally makes some of the best soldering irons available.
trainer
Well-known member
Canadian Tire and Home hardware stores here sell the tips. They are a bit expensive ($10 for a pack of 2) but they last me a long time.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
I have a new one that I bought in February sometime. Ive used a lot of old ones and they worked well, I was pleased to find my brandy new one is just as good also.
dagoat_1
Well-known member
just make your own tips from thicker copper wire. With a hammer I make a few with different ends.
Smiliesafari
Well-known member
Hobby shops and craft stores will have the tips. I found an oldie but goodie at a yard sale. I have no idea how old. It has the bakelite case and two headlights. Still works fine.
Flowmeister
Active member
I still use the one that was my fathers.
Weller Expert 100/140
It is probably around 50 years old.
Dual wattage with a headlight,beautiful.
The benchmark of quality.
Weller Expert 100/140
It is probably around 50 years old.
Dual wattage with a headlight,beautiful.
The benchmark of quality.
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softailgarage
Well-known member
I have to disagree...
Disagree to what? Talk to me in 50 years, we'll see if it still works.
I still have Dads, used it 2 days ago and was thinking the same thing, vintage tools ARE the best. Here's a link to a good "Weller Historical" page http://www.stevenjohnson.com/soldering/weller.htm
silviaboy89
Well-known member
i ******* hate those solder guns! soldering iron all the way!
marty_p
Well-known member
Softail, thanks for the link to the Steven Johnson web site; great pics and now I have the manual!
That's pretty much exactly the same type I've had for 35+ years
for exactly the same reason! stripping parts out of old radios
to put new ones in.
I was just looking at a 1936 National NC-101 5 band amateur receiver
and thinking of that iron to start removing the old caps so I can replace with new ones.
Just the thought of getting an old receiver functional, which was close to 30 years old when I was born...
Gort the giant robot
Well-known member
I have 5 or 6 Weller soldering guns. All mine have bakelite housings. One is marked Snap-On and one is marked Wizard. 5 are all one size and one is larger. I have one still new in box that I bought in the late 1970s. I can remember when stores sold replacement bakelite housings for them. My favorite soldering gun / tool.
Gort.
Gort.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Loosen and re-tighten the tip nuts. That is often all it needs. If they get real grody, take it off and use a small wire brush on the nut ends.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
And yes I have three of these. My original 8200N (IIR..) that I bought when I was making slot cars in the 6th grade or so, a 550 I bought used much later, and a Weller Jr. All work great, and I have a good supply of NOS tips from yard sales...
The Jr. has a tip I bent at right angles to get to an out of reach place inside a speaker cabinet, a few years ago. You can't do that with a pencil iron...
The Jr. has a tip I bent at right angles to get to an out of reach place inside a speaker cabinet, a few years ago. You can't do that with a pencil iron...
metaleltr
Well-known member
So was kester solder a weller product? I have a partial roll of rosin core. I use it all the time.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
AFAIK Kester was it's own company. specializing in Solder. No clue if they still are or were sucked into some conglomerate. :dunno;
I have several rolls of Kester in the stockpile of Solder...
I have several rolls of Kester in the stockpile of Solder...
A 50 year old soldering gun cannot hold a candle to a proper soldering iron when it comes to working with delicate SMD components.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
You are comparing apples and oranges, two tools for completely different purposes. There are things that Hakko cannot do that the Weller can; and the point was where will your station be in 50 years? probably a landfill regardless of how good it is now, if only because the maker will obsolete the tips...
I don't understand what you mean by different purposes. I agree, it's more complex and uses a ceramic heater that is fragile. But what I'm getting at is while the Weller gun is a tank it isn't as good as a temperature controlled station for soldering electronics.
kc-steve
Well-known member
Yeah, I can't imagine anyone is comparing a soldering gun to a soldering iron. Think watts. I have many of the older soldering tools and I think the reason many of the vintage tools are better quality is due to retailers, manufacturers and consumers all insist on a specific price point that remains in place over many years. Eventually quality is reduced in an effort to maintain the price point.
Steve
Steve
Depends on the electronics. I can work on a point-to-point wired tube guitar amp all day long with a soldering gun. On an iPhone, not so much. Different applications.
In the past, absolutely. Now, not so much.
Take a look at the reviews on Amazon or in electronics forums to get an idea if you're interested.
Did you or your dad use it daily?
I ask, as that's what stations such as the Hakko's were made for. FWIW, there are plenty of these units still in service (IIRC, they're pushing 30 years of daily abuse, not coddling/being taken care of).
Though Weller was well made in previous decades, it's not that way any longer, while Hakko still is.
That said, I'd rather have a JBC any day.
I can only think of one person that hasn't sworn by these after they tried one.It's not just the Mexican made models either.
But 7 years? Doesn't sound right IMHO, as Weller tends to only offer a year.Good stuff.
As per ownership, it's changed hands a few times, but is currently an Illinois Tool Works Company (previously owned by Litton and Northrop Grumman; source).
You cannot work on an iPhone with a soldering iron, it takes crazy expensive hot air re-flow stations to work on those PCBs, usually that stuff isn't even worth working on.
kc-steve
Well-known member
You also cannot solder the older larger wired stuff with a soldering iron either. Think watts.
If you try, it'll take forever and you risk cold solder joints.
Steve
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That said, I'd rather have a JBC any day.
Haha I just used hakko as my example because that is what I have the most experience with and it's affordable. I have no doubt that there is much better to be had out there.
You also cannot solder the older larger wired stuff with a soldering iron either.
Steve
example?
kc-steve
Well-known member
Sure I'll give you an example. I use to work on Instrument Landing Systems built in the 1950s. No removable PC boards existed until the 1970s or so. Most stuff could be soldered with a soldering iron but occasionally a gun was necessary just due to the amount of wattage necessary to heat up the wiring and solder to make a solid electrical connection.
Try changing out an electrolytic (tin can) capacitor with a soldering iron.
Steve
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That is why I said, "Not so Much"! The point is that you said you can't work on electronics with a soldering gun and I gave an example that illustrates that you can. Can you use one on surface mount devices, no you can't. On older PCBs you can use a soldering iron. Again, it depends on the application.
Boy, does that bring back memories. I still have my old Weller gun too and, yes, I remember soldering slot car chassis tubes together with it.
szyg6h
Well-known member
Still have mine from the mid-50's, still soldering
The only thing that can't be done with an iron, the right materials, and skills, are BGA packages.
Fine pin packages can be done either one pin at a time, or better IMHO, via something called the drag method (good flux and enough of it is critical). In some cases, a microscope may be of assistance, but it is actually possible without being forced to use hot air in many cases.
Youtube has how-to videos if you're interested.
Hot air stations are nice however, and are much easier to use for removal (and work with BGA's too). Not all are expensive though (Chinese imports that do work fairly well, and can be had for $100 - $300, depending on vendor and features).
It's possible to heat heavy gauge wire sufficiently with an iron.You also cannot solder the older larger wired stuff with a soldering iron either. Think watts.
If you try, it'll take forever and you risk cold solder joints.
And it's not the watts, but if the iron can deliver enough heat to the joint (larger irons are typically used, but it comes down to the efficiency of the heating system, tip geometry & mass, and regulation).
Take a look at JBC's demo videos for example, and you'd be amazed (i.e. soldering two pennies together with a small iron in a couple of seconds).
936/7 models were built like tanks, and well priced, thus generating a well deserved reputation IMHO.Haha I just used hakko as my example because that is what I have the most experience with and it's affordable. I have no doubt that there is much better to be had out there.
Iphone 5
There is nothing there I want to even think about touching with an iron.
I mainly work with through hole components and electrolytic capacitors are the most common things that need replacing. I can solder 12awg wire without issue as well. Have any of you guys used a decent soldering iron before? I think your opinions would change greatly if you did.
There is nothing there I want to even think about touching with an iron
.I mainly work with through hole components and electrolytic capacitors are the most common things that need replacing. I can solder 12awg wire without issue as well. Have any of you guys used a decent soldering iron before? I think your opinions would change greatly if you did.
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kc-steve
Well-known member
You obviously don't know what I am talking about. Soldering is about making a solid electrical connection. It is NOT just fixing two pieces together. Without proper heating throughout the connections then you will likely have a cold solder joint and trouble in the future. If you know what an electrolytic capacitor is, then you should also know you can't use a soldering iron unless it is an old vintage monster, which my preference would be the soldering gun. It takes wattage.
Steve
Easy? No. But not entirely impossible (could pull the passives with an iron, and even easier with hot tweezers; damn BGA's would be another matter though).There is nothing there I want to even think about touching with an iron
BTW, when you say "iron", are you strictly referring to the unregulated fire sticks, such as those you can find in a Radio Shack?