Other: Tools: Soldering Iron Review - Weller Soldering Iron

[DEEPNHOCK]

I would not recommend this product to anyone.

Weller D550PK 120-Volt 260/200-Watt Professional Soldering Gun Kit

It has let me down more times trying to make a simple, well-prepared, solder connection on wiring.
That is all I will say.

[RadioRoy]

That is a gun, not an iron.

I have never been able to solder with a gun, and I made my living doing electronic repair of all sorts.

A good temperature controlled iron/soldering station is what works for me.

[gordr]

Gee, I have used them for years. The new ones are made in Mexico, and not as good as the old ones made in USA. One thing you must do is keep the collet nuts which retain the tip nice and tight. I use an iron on my radio bench, but I use the Wellers for automotive wire splices, routinely. I also own a couple of big old high-wattage electric irons, and even the old-fashioned kind you heat with a torch. Horses for courses.

[Henry]

I have thrown, stomped on, cursed and smashed several soldering irons & guns over the years, many of them weller brand.
My local Stude friend recommended a higher wattage ($50 or so) one thru HDeepo and it's barely okay by me. If I keep those collet nuts tight, as Gord suggests AND use my bench grinder's wire wheel gently on the tip when I'm finished using it for a clean & shiny surface, it'll work adequately the next time.

[Dean McHenry]

Hate to break it to all the Weller hater's but.....

They (used to make) the best soldering iron I have ever used. They are model #GT 7A Tempmatic .... Temp controlled light weight fast heat up and have a iron plated tip so will always take solder. no filing of the tip no flux just the very best of the best. Why they never caught on I have no idea.. I have my old one from 1973 and managed to find a NOS one on ebay. Top shelf stuff. I still see a few of them around so its worth the look if you are serious about soldering. DMc

[bensherb]

Lately I've been using a weller gun just like that. I've had it for 40 years and it was used when I got it. It's a bit bulky but works great! I also have a Weller 2nd gen soldering station that I usually use that's about 35 years old, but it was in the house and I was too lazy to go get it. Have 3 other Wellers too, one micro tip, one standard iron and one big honkin' iron I use for leadding glass and welding plastic. All at least 30 years old and still working great. I use at least one of them a couple times a week too. Rewired a motorcycle last week, soldered every connector pin. I hate crimps! Maybe you need to find an old one?

[VIRGILX]

I would not recommend this product to anyone.

Weller D550PK 120-Volt 260/200-Watt Professional Soldering Gun Kit

It has let me down more times trying to make a simple, well-prepared, solder connection on wiring.
That is all I will say.

I bought a Weller Soldering Gun Kit exactly like that ,( same model # ). Could not solder anything with it, ( wouldn't heat up enough to even melt the solder, let alone the wire). Was about ready to wrap it up and take it back, when in disgust, I thumped it hard against the side of the bench and holy crap, it sounded different, and it heated up quickly. It worked great. The next time I used it, had to go through the same process. Agree tip has to be exceptionally tight or repositioned and retightened.

[firestoper 25]

All I will say is what we grew up with for tools (or inherited from our father's tool box) is NOT the same level / quality that we can buy today. Many of his tools that I use today are approaching 80-90 years old, and the electrical cords are still flexible. Yes my dad did take good care of his tools and made his living with them, however tools bought during the depression did represent a considerable investment and were treated accordingly. NOTICE I did not reference companies or manufacturing location as with passing of time economic conditions have required changes.
And I do like my De Walt big battery operated tool collection.

[stude1964]

I still use my Weller gun that is probably 40 years old. They were manufactured right here in Easton, PA.!
Rob in PA.

[Bud]

I have at least 4 of the older Weller guns and by old I mean at least 40 years and they all work well. All of mu Weller guns have nuts to retain the tips unlike the new ones that use a small screw that will strip over time that renders the soldering gun useless. I had one new one about 10 years ago and it lasted about a year and then gave up. I have never had any problem getting solder to melt with any of the old ones. My Weller 8200 gun is my go to for working on the old tube car radios as I have found that the pencil irons or even a good soldering station does not work as well as the old Weller gun for the larger connections found in older radios. Bud