[sdiy] Weller Soldering Stations?

[Adam Schabtach]

I have the non-digital version of that Weller station and am entirely happy
with it. I do the same sort of stuff with it that you expect to do:
populating through-hole PCBs. I also use it for fairly small surface-mount
work.

You'll probably want to get at least one extra tip for it. The stock tip is
fairly large--useful for soldering wires to lugs, not so useful for fine PCB
work. I like the long, conical, slightly flattened tip.

As Chris Muir said [hi Chris! wow, didn't we correspond like 15-20 years
ago?], you probably don't need a desoldering station. Get some desoldering
braid and a spring-loaded pump and that should cover it. I've built 30 or so
modules and several other projects and haven't felt the need for a
desoldering station.

--Adam

> -----Original Message-----
> From: synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl 
> [mailto:synth-diy-bounces at dropmix.xs4all.nl] On Behalf Of Erik Ribeiro
> Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:21 PM
> To: Synth DIY
> Subject: [sdiy] Weller Soldering Stations?
> 
> I was thinking about upgrading from cheap hardware store 
> soldering irons to a proper soldering station. I was thinking 
> about the Weller WESD51. Anyone have one? What do you like or 
> dislike about it?
> 
> I was also considering a little more for a Weller WD1001 or 
> WD1002. Any real advantage to them? I'm assembling mostly 
> thru-hole soldering for JH, Oakley and MOTM boards. Some of 
> the JH boards can get pretty dense, but  suppose it's not 
> like microscopic surface-mount work (mostly).
> 
> What about desoldering stations? I'm still not great with 
> soldering. I haven't messed up anything catastrophically yet. 
> So far everything I've done has worked on first try. No 
> lifted pads. No scorched boards. But I always worry about 
> rework and messing up boards and components if I have to 
> rework or desolder too often. Any opinions?
> 
> Wanting to make an investment in tools that will work 
> consistently and last a long time.
> 
> Thanks in advance for any advice! :)
> 
> Erik
> 
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