Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station

[mathman]

Would the Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station be a good choice for a soldering station to work on my guitars?

Anything else I should consider?  Not looking to spend a fortune.  The Weller is $61.

[Jeff R]

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/csi-premier-75w-Soldering-Station.html  is the station Murkat Jay recommended to us years ago that is now among my shop's daily MVP tools. I have two of these stations, one on my repair bench, one on my pickup winding bench.

I personally want more than 40 watts. I use higher heat and get in and out fast versus using half-heat that's parked on and heating up the components longer. 

[DaveL]

Hi,  I own that Weller station...      for a Hobbyist,  I think it's user friendly (like how the little stand and holder

are one piece) but #1   not sure it gets hot enough and #2 not sure how durable they are.    make sure you

change the tip after a while...   

 

when I bought it,  they were $39 not sure I'd pay $61 for it    

[JGale]

And I have this one which has worked well for me. I use it for circuit boards and guitar parts.

https://xtronicusa.com/products/soldering-stations-parts/3060-PRO-Series-Soldering-Station-&-Parts-3-Options-c60143154

 

[HSB0531]

33 minutes ago, mathman said:

Would the Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station be a good choice for a soldering station to work on my guitars?

Anything else I should consider?  Not looking to spend a fortune.  The Weller is $61.

I would highly recommend the Hakko FX888D soldering station.

I've been using mine with silver solder for years with nothing but perfectly shiny solder joints.

I use mine 5 days a week and it has never quit on me.

https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html

[HSB0531]

31 minutes ago, HSB0531 said:

I would highly recommend the Hakko FX888D soldering station.

I've been using mine with silver solder for years with nothing but perfectly shiny solder joints.

I use mine 5 days a week and it has never quit on me.

https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html

I realize that the Hakko FX888D is a little less than double the Weller WLC100, but long term it can be cheaper going with the Hakko because of reliability.

I used to burn through heater elements on standard Weller 40 watt irons at 2-3 per year and the tips even faster.

Also, the Digital design and type of heater element gets up to temp way faster.  It also conserves the tip and heater when idle for long periods.

You can adjust the temperature range to suit the solder used and the part you are soldering which you can't do with the Weller.

 

[mathman]

Thanks everyone.  Not going to be doing a lot with this so I think the xtronic might be the way to go.

[Dave Scepter]

Personally if you're not going to do it for a living, I would just get a regular soldering gun… As opposed to a fancy soldering station...  I've used this for years, it is a 2 stage 30/130watt..   You'll need the extra "boost" for ground soldering and it's only $31..  trust me, it works great!

Weller TB100PK 30 Watt/130 Watt Therma Boost Heat Tool https://a.co/d/0tXwMtr

[cynic]

8 hours ago, HSB0531 said:

I would highly recommend the Hakko FX888D soldering station.

I've been using mine with silver solder for years with nothing but perfectly shiny solder joints.

I use mine 5 days a week and it has never quit on me.

https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_fx888d.html

I would also recommend a Hakko station.  I use an older, analog version and while my usage is more monthly than daily, I know it will always give me what I need.

[Bennyboy-UK]

On 11/14/2022 at 5:27 PM, JGale said:

 

 

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

 

[Thundersteel]

All those aforementioned soldering stations are waaaaay under powered.

What you need is the tool that will get it done right the first time: a plasma torch!