WELLER soldering iron reliability _MORE !!!

[Andrew VK3BFA]

I posted a query about the failure rate of WELLER soldering iron
heating elements - just got a "failed message" receipt in my inbox,
apparently WELLER cant even manage their own website so if you DO try
and query whats going on with their (used to be excellent) products,
the query bounces.

Gives you further confidence in their abilty, doesnt it. A company
worthy of continued support.

Andrew VK3BFA.

 

[JSF]

I posted a query about the failure rate of WELLER soldering iron
heating elements - just got a "failed message" receipt in my inbox,
apparently WELLER cant even manage their own website so if you DO try
and query whats going on with their (used to be excellent) products,
the query bounces.

Gives you further confidence in their abilty, doesnt it. A company
worthy of continued support.

Andrew VK3BFA.

Hakko Irons for me.

Had 10 Weller's in the shop at one time, two in the repair box needing tips,
three at the repair shop, three in the return box,two on the bench. Hakkos
two is all we need.

 

[Mike Monett]

Hakko Irons for me.

Had 10 Weller's in the shop at one time, two in the repair box needing
tips, three at the repair shop, three in the return box,two on the
bench. Hakkos two is all we need.

Which model do you use and how long have you had them?

Regards,

Mike Monett

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Hakko Irons for me.

Had 10 Weller's in the shop at one time, two in the repair box needing tips,
three at the repair shop, three in the return box,two on the bench. Hakkos
two is all we need.

There's a Chinese knock-off wot replaces the 'H' with 'Qu'.


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Andrew VK3BFA]

Which model do you use and how long have you had them?

Regards,

Mike Monett

Hi Mike,
their both WTCP series - the first one is approx 15+ years old - it
ran fine for 13 years, then the element failure problem started. I
suspect it was an American made one. The second is approx 3 years old -
it just failed. It was Australian Made.

It seems the local (here) Australian made ones are crap. Dont think the
home company knows about it.......

Its funny - so many people will just write off things like this as a
lesson and not buy any more of the companies products - I do it,
especailly when its cheap. These 2 irons cost a bit of money, and I
tried to tell Cooper tools they had problems with reliability - maybe
thay are unaware of the issues as no one has told them. So far, NOTHING
heard from the Australian or US parent company.

And I have gone and bought a HAKO - used them once in a production
environment, 8 hrs of solid, heavy soldering, day after day.. Went
perfectly, no sign of tip erosion which is another problem with WELLER.

Andrew VK3BFA.

 

[Mike Monett]

And I have gone and bought a HAKO - used them once in a production
environment, 8 hrs of solid, heavy soldering, day after day.. Went
perfectly, no sign of tip erosion which is another problem with WELLER.

Andrew VK3BFA.

Thanks for the reply. I also have problems with tip erosion on the Weller.
It's very obvious while soldering under a microscope.

Actually, I was interested to find out what model of the HAKKO iron you are
using. Would you mind taking one more shot at it?

Regards,

Mike Monett

 

[Ross Herbert]

Hi Mike,
their both WTCP series - the first one is approx 15+ years old - it
ran fine for 13 years, then the element failure problem started. I
suspect it was an American made one. The second is approx 3 years old -
it just failed. It was Australian Made.

It seems the local (here) Australian made ones are crap. Dont think the
home company knows about it.......

The Aus WTCP's made prior to the 80's were better than the US made
ones as many people will testify due to their long and reliable
service. I don't know yet how my new WTCP will go but so far (touch
wood) it has performed as expected and hopefully it will keep
performing that way.

Its funny - so many people will just write off things like this as a
lesson and not buy any more of the companies products - I do it,
especailly when its cheap. These 2 irons cost a bit of money, and I
tried to tell Cooper tools they had problems with reliability - maybe
thay are unaware of the issues as no one has told them. So far, NOTHING
heard from the Australian or US parent company.

And I have gone and bought a HAKO - used them once in a production
environment, 8 hrs of solid, heavy soldering, day after day.. Went
perfectly, no sign of tip erosion which is another problem with WELLER.

I would certainly recommend Hakko. When they first appeared in Aus
back in the 80's I compared them with Ersa,Metcal and other high
fallutin names and their build quality was equally as good and they
were more rugged to boot. For general purpose use they couldn't be
faulted and they had a distinct price advantage over the "better"
brand names both in initial purchase price and spares. One of the
techs I keep in contact with whom I suppled with a Hakko back in the
mid 80's still uses it today without any problems.

 

[Michael]

I posted a query about the failure rate of WELLER soldering iron
heating elements - just got a "failed message" receipt in my inbox,
apparently WELLER cant even manage their own website so if you DO try
and query whats going on with their (used to be excellent) products,
the query bounces.

Gives you further confidence in their abilty, doesnt it. A company
worthy of continued support.

Andrew VK3BFA.

I've been p.o.-d at Weller for years, since the disappearance of heating
elements for their simple, red-color-handle-with-cork-insulation handles. I've
had two of those handles and a pile of new-in-blister-pack iron-coated tips
stashed away since the 80's, hoping I'll find heating elements someday.

One of those handles was issued to me during my Air Force days in 1968!

 

[mc]

I've been p.o.-d at Weller for years, since the disappearance of heating

elements for their simple, red-color-handle-with-cork-insulation handles.
I've
had two of those handles and a pile of new-in-blister-pack iron-coated
tips
stashed away since the 80's, hoping I'll find heating elements someday.

Aren't those an Ungar product, not Weller? Did they merge?