[sdiy] Bad Weller soldering iron

[Tony Clark]

   Hi Theo,

> For the last 6 months or so my 4 year old Weller WTCP also has problems.
> Quite often the tip doesn't heat up after some time of use.
> I can't find what's wrong with it :(  ,doesn't seem to be the switch.

   I've dealt with this problem for years.  We use the WTCP in a 
production environment, and I noticed these were failing at the rate of 
about 1 a month.
   It turns out that the problem is the cord.  It tends to break right at 
the strain relief (which, BTW it doesn't, it's too stiff to work 
properly).
   So the solution was to buy a whole lot of replacement cords and 
replace them as needed.  I have once seen the actual heater element go 
bad, but that's pretty rare.

   Cheers,

   Tony

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