Weller wsd irons bad?

[Rekal]

Hey all.

in this tutorial
you are talking about Weller wsd solder irons to be a bad choise.
I have two, the w61 and the w101.


I do mostly car electrics and cabling soldering with them, never do sensitive stuff, i use my gas iron for this. (but maybe i have false fear to use them)
Is it okay to solder printboards like transmitters with this stuff?
I mean, to solder chips, cpu's ?
The iron is connected directly to the 230v mains, so maybe there is goiing current (ampere) or interference into the chip?

Or are these irons just as safe to youse like a base station with seperate iron?

I Always thought with a station there is only heat comming out of the tip, so no thinks that can damage sensitive components.

If this is indeed a problem i'm thinking to buy a Weller wd1000 station for sensitive stuff or are there better stations for around 300 Euro (370 dollar)

thanks. R-K.

[VK5RC]

I can't find the data on those model numbers,  the main thing to check with your dmm is the tip is earthed. 
The temperature controlled soldering stations are a lot easier to use (lighter weight,  more flexible cable) and if left switched on but not soldering,  won't over heat,  Weller make good gear so those irons I suspect would be reasonable in that regard . 
For IC work once you use a good station,  Weller,  Hakko etc it is hard to go back.  One of the new Hakko stations fx 888 looks pretty good value.

[amyk]

Those are far too big for working on small electronics. The grip-to-tip distance alone is longer than the entire handle of some of the higher-end irons.

[Paul Moir]

What you have is better than nothing.  If you had nothing, then a temperature controlled workstation is much better for two reasons:  one, they're temperature controlled, which saves on tips and helps prevent damaging PCBs and components.  Two they warmup much faster, which again saves on tips (you end up turning it off when you don't need it) and makes them less annoying to use.

What are really awful are the Weller adjustable stations, which are almost as expensive as a temperature controlled station but have none of the benefits.  These are essentially a pencil iron like the ones you have with a glorified light dimmer attached so you can adjust the wattage.  So they're a compromise between what you have and a temperature controlled station.

EDIT:  Adjustable station like the Weller WLC100.  And a set screw retaining the tip.  Ugh. 

[Rekal]

@ VK5RC: sorry the models are not WSD61 but W61!

If i check with my multimeter from the earth on the power plug to the tip i have on both irons a 0ohm connection.

The Weller W 61 is a mains voltage (230V AC), temperature-controlled (Magnastat) soldering iron with an output of 60W.
Operating temperature 370°C > controlled by the iron tip.
W Series have a Solidly Constructed Heating Element and a Wide Selection of Long life Soldering Tips.

SOLDERING IRON TIP, 2.4MM, WEDGE, L=62MM

these thinks cost about 115 dollar at piece.

I bought them for basic electricity to solder, not for fine electronics, but the question is would fine electronics be safe?

[KJDS]

They'll be safe, and I amongst many others grew up using those irons. They're ok for use on leaded components but a bit clumsy to use on modern SMT stuff.

One thing to watch is that the iron does have enough heat capacity to melt through the mains lead and short the live conductors, which results in a big bang and flash, shortly followed by management asking WTF??

[ciccio]

They are NOT bad.  I used a W61 for years (maybe 25?) alongside another Weller station, and it is still there in the closet, for emergencies.
Other posters have noted that they are not suitable for SMD work, but they are definitely suitable for through hole PCB work.
Better than any "el-cheapo" temperature controlled station.

Best regards

[G7PSK]

At one time there were no temperature controlled irons. I used to use a weller 12 watt 240 volt iron for semi conductor work and never had any problems, for larger stuff I used an Antex 25 watt mains run iron again no problems. A temperature controlled iron makes life easier when soldering but is not exactly a prerequisite to good solder joints,they can be done with a nail and blow lamp if you have the skill. Any one who says you cannot get good joints without a fancy computer controlled iron just plain cant solder.

[Remy007]

Today is purchased this JBC CD-2BE 



I use the WSD's for mobile stuff now.

[CJay]

Those are far too big for working on small electronics. The grip-to-tip distance alone is longer than the entire handle of some of the higher-end irons.

Sorry, that's just not true, as with any tool you have to learn how to use them, they're temperature controlled via magnastat/tip and are an excellent general purpose iron, I've used and still use them to rework thru hole and SMD down to and including 0603, it's about familiarity and skill.

Would I recommend one to a newcomer?

No.

Buy one of the widely available hot air tools and a smaller iron, it will make your life easier but you still need to learn how to use your tools and acquire the skills.

[VK5RC]

Rekal are you now Remy007 ?
@Cjay - I laughed when I read your post - for about 20 years when money was really tight I used a non-temperature controlled mains soldering iron for my hobby electronics. My vision and tremor was a lot better in those days. If the iron had been on for a while - a quick wipe with the wet sponge cooled the tip off a bit - if doing a very small joint - no SMD in those days - maybe two wipes! If the iron was a bit warm you could feed the solder faster as well!
I had a big range of tips - one size fits all! HiHi.
Nowadays my main go to iron is a JBC - very nice - but I think the majority of my joints are not much different.

[CJay]

Rekal are you now Remy007 ?
@Cjay - I laughed when I read your post - for about 20 years when money was really tight I used a non-temperature controlled mains soldering iron for my hobby electronics. My vision and tremor was a lot better in those days. If the iron had been on for a while - a quick wipe with the wet sponge cooled the tip off a bit - if doing a very small joint - no SMD in those days - maybe two wipes! If the iron was a bit warm you could feed the solder faster as well!
I had a big range of tips - one size fits all! HiHi.
Nowadays my main go to iron is a JBC - very nice - but I think the majority of my joints are not much different.

I sound like a real old curmudgeon, but it winds me up when people try to tell me you have to have this that and the other piece of magic technology to make a solder joint that looks like a pigeon shit on the board and don't get me started on the ludicrous requirement for gallons of flux for *every* joint...

The magic in soldering is the technique, good technique and practice will get you 99% of the way there.

[stj]

don't get me started on the ludicrous requirement for gallons of flux for *every* joint...

The magic in soldering is the technique, good technique and practice will get you 99% of the way there.

damn right, i started with an antex CS 18w stick.
i wouldnt use one now because the pcb's have changed, but a Hakko or JBC does not make someone a pro or give you smooth shiny joints - that's an aquired user skill.

[madires]

I fully agree! I was using a 16W and 25W ERSA Multitip before buying my first soldering station, and those simple irons helped me learning how to solder. I replaced electrolytic caps on PC mainboards with the 25W Multitip. Still got both, in case the station fails.