On Thu, Nov 19, 2020 at 12:00 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

I have had Weller soldering stations all through out my “professional career”. I still continue to use the stations that I had in my TV shop in the mid 80s.

...

On Nov 19, 2020, at 10:38 AM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:

So my POS 35 year old Weller workstation that I got out of the back of the Computer Shopper for $25 shipped has developed a crack in the heat guard sleeve. I mean really I spent good money on this and it only lasted 35 years. I want a refund! ;-)

I've been using the same Weller EC1200 since 1984. Back then, it was on the bench at work (and IIRC, they paid $250 for it new, in 1981-82). When the company folded in 1993, I bought out the stock and bench and continued to support our (few remaining) customers for the next 1-2 years. I've replaced the heater once and the thermostat unit once in those 36 years. I could use a new strain-relief grommet on the cord but it's been fine for years with gentle handling. About the only thing that could replace this battleship is a nice Hakko with a sheaf of SMT tips. -ethan