[vcf-midatlantic] OT: Looking for recommendations on new soldering station
RETRO Innovations
go4retro at go4retro.com
Tue Aug 3 21:10:44 UTC 2021
On 8/3/2021 3:50 PM, Ethan O'Toole wrote:
>> I think everyone should have a WES/WESD51 on their tool shelf. They
>> are awesome, built like tanks, easy to train on, simple, work well,
>> portable, and you can feel OK loaning out.
>> I love my metcal 500, but it's not leaving the bench.
>> Jim
>
> I had one of the Orange Wellers growing up. I dunno, for the price
> point I think I like my Hakko more. The downside on the hakko is the
> UI is a little strange and it would be easy to knock the calibration
> off. The WESD51 is the digital readout baby blue thing?
Yep. WES51 lacks the digital readout. The UI being strange would be
the killer for me. I have high school students often help with stuff,
and send the iron home with them.
>
> A friend swears by the Pace setups. He has the extruded aluminum box
> thing that drives 3 tools, a soldering and desoldering tool for it. No
> hot air.
I have one as well (nice unit), but my point was about having one ready
to use ina pinch or pitch in a box if you needed to make a house call.
The hakko, metcal, pace, etc. units are great bench units, but I don't
think I'd want to lug around a metcal or pace or larger Hakko. A really
small Hakko (like an 888) might be OK as a swap for the WESD51, but I
don;t think it looks as robust mechanically. The Weller is sturdy.
Mind you, I don't often use my Weller anymore (my metcal and Pace are
more useful), but I loan my WESD51 out all the time to folks working
with me.
Jim
--
RETRO Innovations, Contemporary Gear for Classic Systems
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