can you reccomend a solder station?

[media at mail1.nai.net]

>Alologies if this has been covered before... (anyone know where the
>archives went?  I have been trying to find them...)

That's a good question.

>I am in need of a new soldering iron...  Here is what I have found on the
>web, and my initial impressions:
>
>Weller EC1002 : Very nice, temprature controlled, expensive ~$250
>Weller WES50  : temprature controlled, newer model, less expensive ~$100
>Weller WTCPT  : change tips to change temp, ~$150
>Weller WLC100 : cheap-o, temp controlled, ~$50
>Hakko 936     : nice looking, temp controlled, never heard of brand ~$150
>
>So, can anyone recommend a specific iron for DIY work?  Is the Weller
>WLC100 too cheap?  Will I be unhappy with it?  Is the Weller WES50 any
>good? etc etc etc...  Let me know your impressions...  What are you using?

After shopping around, and talking it over with several people on this
list, I decided to go with the Weller WTCPT.  So, far I haven't had any
trouble with it.  It's a joy to use.  The pen, iron, or whatever you want
to call the part you hold, is very light and comfortable, and the cord
rarely tangles.

I chose the WTCPT for several reasons:

1) It was less expensive than the electronically adjustable models.
2) Because it uses the tips for temperature control, it's a simpler design
   and less likely to break.
3) Because it uses the tips for temperature control, I don't have to play
   around with knob settings.  If I ever change solder I can change tips,
   otherwise it's the same as the last time I turned it on.
4) It's a very popular model from a very well-established company --
   it should be easy to get parts well into the future.
5) The tip is grounded to the third pin of the mains.
6) It uses Weller PT series tips with a good variety of shapes.
7) It's blue.  I like blue :)

Also, several people said that because of its design, it holds a more
stable temperature than adjustable models.  I do not know if that's true.