Looking for opinions on Weller soldering stations.

[skiraly017]

Looking at the Weller WESD51 digital soldering station. Any opinions on this or any other Weller products? Thanks.

[Peter Snowberg]

In general, I'm not a Weller fan. I think they're much like Sony and HP in a way. They started out being synonymous for great stuff and then started to crank out cheap consumer crud with a higher price and the name everybody equated with quality. Their better quality items are solid and unquestionably dependable, but they're pricey and a bit industrial when you get to the higher end items.

Any active temp control station is going to be GREAT, but I've not used that particular one. I don't see any reason to think that it would not perform like a champ for many years.

I've had a few Wellers over the years and while they were solid workhorses for production, the style I had regulated the temperature via a mechanism built into the tip. Want 650F? Change the tip. Want 700F? Change the tip again. Perfect for soldering the same thing over and over, but not as good for prototype work. I've also had a couple of consumer grade Wellers, and they became trash a long time ago.

I got a Xytronics digital station almost 20 years ago and the element finally failed after 18+ years of abuse (some of it rather severe). The case isn't as nice as the Weller, but it has been a solid performer. I also like that it has a read/set switch. After the element died, I decided to just get a whole new unit ($80) and I picked up the SMD tweezers ($50) at the same time. It's about the best $130 I've spent recently.

Meet the new iron, it's almost the exact same as the old iron from 20 years ago. The wand is a little different and I see they have the original style available as a replacement part. Now when I get a new wand for the old iron I'll have one for the portable toolkit.

Circuit Specialists just started selling this one for $50 with digital control.

Several people here (including Doug Hammond and B Tremblay, I believe) have this one which doesn't have the display, and speak very highly of it. You just can't beat it for $39.

[twabelljr]

   I have the Weller WESD-51. All-spec sells it for $120. Thats $30 to $50 cheaper than most other places. I've had it for about 8 months and so far I am very pleased with it. The tips are very nice and the Iron itself is small and light. Well, that's my two cents.
Check it out here: http://www.all-spec.com/3/viewitem/WESD51/SALE/prodinfo/w3path=vend

Also, All-Spec's service and turnaround is great. I received my complete order on day 3. I think they are based in North Carolina. I live in Maryland.

[skiraly017]

Meet the new iron, it's almost the exact same as the old iron from 20 years ago. The wand is a little different and I see they have the original style available as a replacement part. Now when I get a new wand for the old iron I'll have one for the portable tool kit.

The one that you picked up would seem to be the way to go. It has more temperature range than I would ever need. Question...does the Xytronic allow to switch the display between Fahrenheit and Celsius? Thanks for the input.

[Peter Snowberg]

The 137 reads out in Fahrenheit, but I'll bet you can jumper it internally for Celsius. The more expensive ones have a panel switch for the scale.

[skiraly017]

Fahrenheit works for me. I think I'll give the 137 a shot.