New Weller Station: Weller WE1010

[lmaokore]

Finally another competitor to the Hakko 888D price point? A new 70W soldering station from Weller...

~$100 according to Tequipment
https://www.tequipment.net/Weller/WE1010NA/Soldering-Stations/

Here's a promotional video released by Weller.
https://youtu.be/XBOhD6aPKnw

One upside of the station looks like it doesn't have a horrible UI like Hakko. Also seems like auto sleep/shutoff is available on this. Thoughts?

[nanofrog]

This really will compete well vs. the Hakko FX-888 IMHO (power rating is much closer). And it should outshine it in regard to it's UI (looked, but didn't find a manual on Weller's site  ).

If it matters, the COO = Mexico (ET tips too), but it's no different really than the FX-888 being made in Malaysia as a means of reducing costs to meet it's targets (build cost & MSRP).

For disclosure, I've a WD1 based setup, and it's UI is very easy to use (5 buttons; up, down, and 3 presets). Included set-back features were only timer based, but by adding an optional Stop-n-Go stand (connects to the station, and the handpiece to the stand), it opened up ALL of the setback features. Very nice station, and as the tips are just iron plated on copper, they're not expensive.

[lmaokore]

Here's a manual. Instructions are "IKEA-style" 
https://cdn.testequity.com/documents/pdf/toolsandsupplies/weller/WE1010NA-m.pdf

[ataradov]

Does not looks like it has presets. And while 888D has horrible UI, once you get though it, and set everything up, it works fine. All I do with it on a regular basis is changing temperature, and that works fine with their UI.

And that manual is a horrible mess.

Also, there does not seem to be any actual pictures of the thing, only 3D renders.

And full price is $140, who knows how long it will be on sale.

[nanofrog]

Here's a manual. Instructions are "IKEA-style" 
https://cdn.testequity.com/documents/pdf/toolsandsupplies/weller/WE1010NA-m.pdf

Thanks for finding it. 

FWIW, this is how Weller does their manuals (multi-language affairs).

The lack of presets is a bit of a disappointment IMHO, but not so egregious that I would call it a deal-breaker.

[EEVblog]

Interesting.
Digikey and Mouser will have stock shortly it seems.
Might be worth a shootout.
Is there another top-brand contender in that price bracket?

[nanofrog]

Perhaps a Quick 3104 (digital UI, 70W) might be worth comparing. Price is in the same area as well (goes for $100 in the US).

Even Newark/Farnell carries it, and 220V versions come up on eBay.com.au (China or HK sources).

[lmaokore]

You could also try the ERSA Pico but it seems to miss the $100 sweet spot at around $150

[nazcalines]

What about the WT1010N? It looks new, or maybe I'm just out of the loop. ~$300 at Tequipment with a handpiece that allows replacing the heater.

[lmaokore]

What about the WT1010N? It looks new, or maybe I'm just out of the loop. ~$300 at Tequipment with a handpiece that allows replacing the heater.

The WT series is actually a couple of years old. Either way it's out of the $100 sweetspot.

[EEVblog]

Datasheet
http://www.weller-toolsus.com/MagentoShare/media/mannuals/ATG-3473%20WE%20Station%20Brochure-NAM-optimized.pdf
In stock now at Digikey

[tszaboo]

USA only? The name suggests so (xxNA). Also only 120V. Nothing about it on the www.weller.de

[ciccio]

For what I see the WE series is US-only. The European version is the WT-1010 https://www.elcoteam.com/privati/weller-wt1010-stazione-saldante-con-saldatore-da-90-watt.html that costs at least 380 Euros + Taxes.
There are differences, including the stand and maybe the iron, but the price is excessive.
I had and still have many Weller stations, but I feel that quality is no more like it used to be.
Best regards

[Bud]

Digikey Canada got some stock at 50% higher price.

[TheSteve]

Digikey Canada got some stock at 50% higher price.

I didn't think 128.99 CAD with free overnight FedEx shipping was too bad at all.

edit - well this is weird. Digikey.ca on my phone shows 128.99 CAD, but if I check using a PC they are 185.99.

[Bud]

If you place an order from your phone they will send you the mobile version of the iron  , with a single button

Edit:  where do you see the 128.99 CAD price? I am on iPhone with Safari browser and I get 185.99, same as on the desktop. I would jump right on if it was 128.99.

[TheSteve]

Maybe they had it at 128.99 for a day or two and just raised it. Here is a screen shot from my phone. Should I order a bunch of them? Lol

[Bud]

I just tried couple minutes ago, I get the 185 thing. Try putting one in the shopping cart and see what it comes up to. I would buy one right now but I do not see that price.

[TheSteve]

If I open a new private type window to reset the cart/cookies it shows the new price. I would call them up and tell them you saw it for 128.99 yesterday and ask why the price went up so much. If you're really lucky they might sell you one at the old price. Send them my screen shot, it is 100% legit.

[Qw3rtzuiop]

Does anyone know if it is 230V compatible. The spec sheet is a little bit confusing.

[nanofrog]

Does anyone know if it is 230V compatible. The spec sheet is a little bit confusing.

There will be separate power units for the two voltages, and different plugs in the 230V models for the different countries it will be sold in. North America only requires a single version (same 120V transformer & plug).

FWIW, TEquipment is selling them for $104.71 shipped (here), while Newark (Farnell) has it listed for $139.00 (here).

Not seeing an listings for 230V versions at all yet, so perhaps they're still getting the assembly line & global distribution methodology sorted.

[Mr. Scram]

That's interesting. I felt Weller gave up on the lower end, but this proves me wrong.

What irons are compatible with this? Is see ET tips and a WEP70 iron. Is that a new iron specific to this station?

[nanofrog]

That's interesting. I felt Weller gave up on the lower end, but this proves me wrong.

What irons are compatible with this? Is see ET tips and a WEP70 iron. Is that a new iron specific to this station?

This is replacing the WES51 & WES51D models that were specific to North America, and it seems they finally plan to introduce it to other parts of the world as well. Nice turn of events IMHO. 

As per the iron, it appears to be made specifically for this station (even if all that really differs is the ergonomics and color over the previous PES51 used on the WES/D51 models.

[Mr. Scram]

This is replacing the WES51 & WES51D models that were specific to North America, and it seems they finally plan to introduce it to other parts of the world as well. Nice turn of events IMHO. 

As per the iron, it appears to be made specifically for this station (even if all that really differs is the ergonomics and color over the previous PES51 used on the WES/D51 models.

I have to say I'm not a fan of Weller's plethora of standards, or lack of them depending on how you look at it. It doesn't really help they don't provide very clear information on what's compatible with what themselves. I've had to resort to third part websites more than once.

[nanofrog]

This is replacing the WES51 & WES51D models that were specific to North America, and it seems they finally plan to introduce it to other parts of the world as well. Nice turn of events IMHO. 

As per the iron, it appears to be made specifically for this station (even if all that really differs is the ergonomics and color over the previous PES51 used on the WES/D51 models.

I have to say I'm not a fan of Weller's plethora of standards, or lack of them depending on how you look at it. It doesn't really help they don't provide very clear information on what's compatible with what themselves. I've had to resort to third part websites more than once.

I definitely get where you're coming from (and the fact you check 3 different sources, and you may get 3 different answers). 

The area that I've really run into  moments, is trying to find out if a new product is compatible with something a generation back or so. I mean these are industrial products, not fashion. 

[4thDoctorWhoFan]

Might be worth a shootout.

I hope it turns out better than the pocket multimeter shootout. 

[Qw3rtzuiop]

The digikey version is defenitly 120v only. Today some european distributors listed a 230v version at around 150€.

[Deridex]

At the first sight i think it might be aimed at the Ersa I-Con Nano. 
Looking at the pricetag in europa it seems to be true. But so far i can't find a 230V Version of it.

[Gromitt]

At the first sight i think it might be aimed at the Ersa I-Con Nano. 
Looking at the pricetag in europa it seems to be true. But so far i can't find a 230V Version of it.

https://www.reichelt.de/?ACTION=3;ARTICLE=218804;SEARCH=weller%20we

[corn11]

reichelt increased the price by 20 €  In the newsletter they've sent me two weeks ago the station was listed for 149,95 €

[hli]

reichelt increased the price by 20 €  In the newsletter they've sent me two weeks ago the station was listed for 149,95 €

IIRC they said (at least on the website) that this was an introduction price, valid in February only. When I compare it to my iCon pico, I probably would prefer the Weller.

[Mr. Scram]

At 100 euros it looks to be a killer station. At 150 euros, competition starts looking more interesting. At more than that, you completely lose the entry level market.

At 150 euros or less it would be a perfect station to get people on board with Weller even on a smaller budget. Providing the performance is decent and the tips don't rot easily, of course.

[FrankE]

. The spec sheet is a little bit confusing.

Confusing spec sheets are something Weller do really well.
You have to dig really hard to find out information. Like what tips are supplied with a multistation, what nozzles fit the hot air pencils, pin outs for control cables.

[EEVblog]

Might be worth a shootout.

I hope it turns out better than the pocket multimeter shootout. 

Oh, BURN!
(pun intended)

[EEVblog]

I don't have any other irons yet, just the new Weller and the FX-888D, so I might just compare those two for now. Can always compare more irons later?

[EEVblog]

US$117 on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WE1010NA-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B077JDGY1J

[Mr. Scram]

US$117 on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WE1010NA-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B077JDGY1J

It's likely to be more expensive in other places, but if it's around 100-120 euros it would have to be horrible to not be a hit.

[Deridex]

At the first sight i think it might be aimed at the Ersa I-Con Nano. 
Looking at the pricetag in europa it seems to be true. But so far i can't find a 230V Version of it.

https://www.reichelt.de/?ACTION=3;ARTICLE=218804;SEARCH=weller%20we

Aviable at the 30.03.2018 if i read this correctly.

If i have the choice between the I-Con-Pico and this one at the same pricepoint, i would probaly take the weller. But i got my I-Con-Pico for like 100-110€ (I don't remember the exact price) and the weller here seems to be like 160-170€ in germany.

I wonder however, how the solderingiron is made and how the heat is controlled. I had positive and negative experiences in that way.

[tszaboo]

At 100 euros it looks to be a killer station. At 150 euros, competition starts looking more interesting. At more than that, you completely lose the entry level market.

At 150 euros or less it would be a perfect station to get people on board with Weller even on a smaller budget. Providing the performance is decent and the tips don't rot easily, of course.

We have no way of knowing, because Weller introduced yet another type of tip.
IMHO this is getting ridiculous, they are making the exact same tools over and over again, without compatible parts. This station is practically, feature wise the same as a WD 1M, but different watts, and iron. Weller has 25 different family of soldering tips, only in the professional series. I wonder when they will realize, that it is getting silly.

[Mr. Scram]

We have no way of knowing, because Weller introduced yet another type of tip.
IMHO this is getting ridiculous, they are making the exact same tools over and over again, without compatible parts. This station is practically, feature wise the same as a WD 1M, but different watts, and iron. Weller has 25 different family of soldering tips, only in the professional series. I wonder when they will realize, that it is getting silly.

That's one of the major things I dislike about Weller. I can understand you differentiate to compete in certain industries or markets and I even understand that you occasionally refresh things to keep people buying new things, though I obviously don't really like the latter. But having that many different components isn't helpful.

It's not making your product better either. I don't want to have to stock so many different spares and tips if I'm trying to keep production on the floor going. If I can choose between a brand that refreshes everything all the time and a brand that allows me to keep a sensible inventory, I will pick the latter. No matter how good the tools are.

[FrankE]

At 100 euros it looks to be a killer station. At 150 euros, competition starts looking more interesting. At more than that, you completely lose the entry level market.

At 150 euros or less it would be a perfect station to get people on board with Weller even on a smaller budget. Providing the performance is decent and the tips don't rot easily, of course.

We have no way of knowing, because Weller introduced yet another type of tip.
IMHO this is getting ridiculous, they are making the exact same tools over and over again, without compatible parts. This station is practically, feature wise the same as a WD 1M, but different watts, and iron. Weller has 25 different family of soldering tips, only in the professional series. I wonder when they will realize, that it is getting silly.

+1
They tend to stock tips for irons long after their retirement.
I was looking at JBC's site, they seem to have hella discontinued models.

[2N3055]

We have no way of knowing, because Weller introduced yet another type of tip.

Isn't this one supposed to use old ETA type tips, same as for old WES51...
New 70W soldering iron, but old ETA tips....

But I agree, i don't understand Weller product range at all.....

I will probably move to Hakko when WP80 on my WD1000 starts giving me more problems...

Regards,

Sinisa

[tooki]

IIRC they said (at least on the website) that this was an introduction price, valid in February only. When I compare it to my iCon pico, I probably would prefer the Weller.

Aviable at the 30.03.2018 if i read this correctly.

If i have the choice between the I-Con-Pico and this one at the same pricepoint, i would probaly take the weller. But i got my I-Con-Pico for like 100-110€ (I don't remember the exact price) and the weller here seems to be like 160-170€ in germany.

Having seen the video on how that thing performs, it’d be absolutely insane to go for the Weller instead of the i-Con Pico (or better, the nano for just a bit more). It’s way, way, way, way slower at heating up than the Ersa.

And on top of it, Ersa’s tips have a reputation of lasting longer than Weller’s.


It really is a travesty that Dave still hasn’t reviewed an Ersa, given that the i-Con series has been out for what, 10 years now? I realize it’s probably not a common brand in Australia (just as it isn’t in USA), but for all the European eevblog viewers (isn’t Germany alone the #2 in viewership?), Ersa needs to be reviewed, since in Europe, neither Hakko nor Weller is priced favorably.

[Deridex]

IIRC they said (at least on the website) that this was an introduction price, valid in February only. When I compare it to my iCon pico, I probably would prefer the Weller.

Aviable at the 30.03.2018 if i read this correctly.

If i have the choice between the I-Con-Pico and this one at the same pricepoint, i would probaly take the weller. But i got my I-Con-Pico for like 100-110€ (I don't remember the exact price) and the weller here seems to be like 160-170€ in germany.

Having seen the video on how that thing performs, it’d be absolutely insane to go for the Weller instead of the i-Con Pico (or better, the nano for just a bit more). It’s way, way, way, way slower at heating up than the Ersa.

And on top of it, Ersa’s tips have a reputation of lasting longer than Weller’s.


It really is a travesty that Dave still hasn’t reviewed an Ersa, given that the i-Con series has been out for what, 10 years now? I realize it’s probably not a common brand in Australia (just as it isn’t in USA), but for all the European eevblog viewers (isn’t Germany alone the #2 in viewership?), Ersa needs to be reviewed, since in Europe, neither Hakko nor Weller is priced favorably.

Hm, i have not seen the new Weller in action. But i did expect that it is as fast as the ersa I-Con-Pico.
Where can i find a video of it?

If it is slower ... well ... then the choice is simple 

[tooki]

It’s the latest EEVBlog video. The Weller WE1010 vs. the Hakko FX-888D.

In a nutshell, they are quite similar. But neither one can hold a candle to the i-Con series. I didn’t count the seconds, but Handgelenk mal Pi it looks like both the WE1010 and FX-888D take around three times as long as an i-Con to heat up. That, in turn, should give some idea as to how much heat recovery the i-Con can provide.

[Deridex]

Just watched it:
  both seem to be realy slow. I think my little I-Con-Pico outperforms both easily.
If i would have a little I-Con spare, i would send it to dave.

[hli]

I didn’t count the seconds, but Handgelenk mal Pi it looks like both the WE1010 and FX-888D take around three times as long as an i-Con to heat up. That, in turn, should give some idea as to how much heat recovery the i-Con can provide.

I just measured: my i-Con Pico takes 15 seconds from power-on to 320°C.

[tooki]

One video comparison of the i-Con 1, nano, and pico showed them taking 9, 11, and 12 seconds, respectively. (I forget to which temperature. And of course, the ambient temperature could matter, too. All 3 were tested with the default 1.6mm chisel tip.)

[nanofrog]

We have no way of knowing, because Weller introduced yet another type of tip.

Isn't this one supposed to use old ETA type tips, same as for old WES51...
New 70W soldering iron, but old ETA tips....

Yes. It uses the same ET series tips used in the WES51/D models (all non-consumer entry-level stations).

[A Hellene]

One should always know Their History before making any judgments; or before getting even impressed by any 'Marketing achievement' stunts!

Well, it seems that ERSA (in the pre-war Berlin, during the very early Twenties) was the first company that ever built a production soldering iron, in worldwide scale; yes, the first one, ever! Weller, instead, was founded much later in time, during the early Fifties, by some homonymous 'American investor' in the bankrupted and in an extremely very fast pace developing Western Germany of those times (right after the Marshall Plan and the Mutual Security Act that took over the 'business')...

So, the innovator among those two companies above was not Weller, by any means --thus the big difference between their products.

I'm sorry but I am not a fan of Weller and their technological or marketing acrobatics...


-George

[tooki]

One should always know Their History before making any judgments; or before getting even impressed by any 'Marketing achievement' stunts!

Well, it seems that ERSA (in the pre-war Berlin, during the very early Twenties) was the first company that ever built a production soldering iron, in worldwide scale; yes, the first one, ever!

No, probably not:

https://stevenjohnson.com/soldering/history.htm

Weller, instead, was founded much later in time, during the early Fifties, by some homonymous 'American investor' in the bankrupted and in an extremely very fast pace developing Western Germany of those times (right after the Marshall Plan and the Mutual Security Act that took over the 'business')...

I don’t think any of that is correct. Weller started production in 1946 in Pennsylvania IIRC.

[A Hellene]

Maybe... Nothing is clear these days...

Yet, I insist not being a fan of Weller and their technological or marketing acrobatics.


-George

[ElectronicCat]

Does anyone know why the EU model is so expensive? I'm in need of a new soldering station and the WE1010 looks perfect for me, and the $100US makes it a bargain. However in the UK the cheapest I've been able to find the 230V model is £150 from Reichelt (~$215US, over double the US price!). It's almost cheaper to import one and buy a step down transformer.

[Deridex]

Does anyone know why the EU model is so expensive? I'm in need of a new soldering station and the WE1010 looks perfect for me, and the $100US makes it a bargain. However in the UK the cheapest I've been able to find the 230V model is £150 from Reichelt (~$215US, over double the US price!). It's almost cheaper to import one and buy a step down transformer.

I also wondered, why it is so expensive. So far i did not find any explanation.
I Think in this pricerange there are competitors that can easily keep up, if not outperform the Weller WE1010. Maybe it's better then to look elsewhere. 

[ElectronicCat]

I also wondered, why it is so expensive. So far i did not find any explanation.
I Think in this pricerange there are competitors that can easily keep up, if not outperform the Weller WE1010. Maybe it's better then to look elsewhere.

I was hoping that maybe the price is only temporarily high whilst it's new and limited stock but it's selling for about what Weller have listed the RRP as on their website, which is considerably more than the US price.

What would you suggest in this price range? I've always had off-brand irons before and whilst some have been ok they've never really lasted that long so I want to get something from a decent brand. The only other one which comes to mind is the Hakko FX-888D, but I'm really not a fan of the weird 2-button interface and 7-segment display.

[Deridex]

I think the Hakko-Stuff is pretty good even though i don't like it's look. But comon, it's a tool, so the look is usally not so important.
Another station you might want to look at, are the Ersa I-Con Pico or Nano.  Even though it seems like there price increased also over the last years. I paid for my Pico  ~116€.

[Rooster Cogburn]

I bought a WE1010, despite the 169EUR price it goes for here. The build quality seemed excellent to me. Case, handle, cable, UI all nice, etc. Performance was rather bad, though. In Dave's review he had a ~30C discrepancy between what he set the station to and the actual tip temperature. Mine was even larger, so large in fact that the range of the build in offset was not sufficient. Set at 300C I'd measure ~240C at the tip. Thermal capacity and heating response was similarly terrible. With the already low temperature wiping the tip 1-2x would drop it below the melting point and solidified, jagged solder starts tearing up the sponge. Plugged into a power meter it's obvious that the iron needs a second or two to even start heating back up and it takes quite a while to get back to normal.

I returned it for a refund. Considering you can get an integrated tip/heater/sensor type iron like the TS12/TS100 for <20EUR/<40EUR respectively, it seems ridiculous to charge 169EUR for this. Given that the performance of this is worse than the more modern designs, the only thing the Weller really has going for it is the brand name and the expectation of quality that goes along with it. But if I see Dave's review model being off by 30C, mine being off by 50-100C, I don't know what I'm paying all this money for. I clearly got a dud, but I think even if mine had worked as designed I still would've been unhappy with the heating stability, speed & recovery.

After recently having to endure three separate speaker repairs from a major German brand, I think I'll no longer give money to my fellow countrymen and go for Chinese products instead