[freedom53]

Finally fried my old weller (thirty years old with the trigger taped on) and want to know what I should replace it with. Any favorites or suggestions?

[66GMC]

Get another Weller?

I have an 8200PK (140/100W kit) which is more than adequate for my occasional use.



Lists for $53.33

[weirdbeard]

Weller is the best.. The guns are useful, but the pen type soldering stations are way better.. You can solder big wires together or solder a chip on a computer board.

[oldred]

Or get the Orange soldering gun from HF!


I am sure you know better than that but if anyone else is tempted to try one DON'T! They do get hot, very hot, so hot in fact they will melt the case in just a couple of minutes if the trigger is held back. Total junk and is one of those tools that would not be worth bringing home if they were giving them away.



Get the Weller, not expensive at all and will last for years, mine is as old and in the same condition as the one you describe but it still works and when I replace it again it will be with another weller. The HF gun just looked neat and new and the price on sale was less than $10 so I thought "why not" well now I know why not!

[trees]

My son introduced me to a butane fired gun several years ago and have never plugged one in since. Totally portable, gets in tight places, can be laid down with out worrying about burning something and the heat control is simple and accurate. It goes from off to operating temp instantly.

Trees

[cobalt327]

Should you happen across a Wen Model 199 "Quick-Heat" soldering gun, I can attest to them being a good gun.

The gun below is probably older than I am. I can remember it being around from day one, and I still use it to this day- it stays plugged in on the bench.

The soldering iron in the center w/the green handle is a Hexacon. They're not cheap, but will outlast a Weller many times over. I used this same iron for almost 5 years while competing in slot racing, and it still works fine, w/the same heating element! This iron would be plugged in in the morning and stay hot all day long while I raced, so it got a hell of a workout- every weekend, ALL weekend plus all the soldering work in between races making chassis, etc.

[302 Z28]

I have a Weller D-550 that was handed down to me by my Dad. Still going very strong and if and when it dies I will replace it with another Weller.

Vince