Weller WMD-3 soldering station. Questions around tools and compatibility

[RG450]

Hi, my first post here - I registered on this forum hoping that some of you have experience with weller soldering Irons.

I recently bought a Weller WMD-3 soldering station. It came with the following tools:
WT-50 tweezers. Works with the same tips as the more recent WTA-50.
HAP1 100W hot air soldering iron (I've barely tried it - seems to work ok)
I bought a WSP80 off aliexpress - to my surprise it looks like a genuine product, and it works fine. 80W general purpose soldering iron.

The station also came with these that are giving me issues:
mlr21 - 25watt soldering iron. Tips are NLA but it seems pretty close to Hakko 900M-series tips - I think they can be easily modified to work by simply drilling them out to a slightly larger internal diameter. There is also a tip adapter still available, but I'd think a tip adapter would introduce lag. So what's the actual benefit of a 25W over an 80w handle? As both have the same temperature control - is the smaller iron somehow better for smd work??

DS21 50W solder sucker. This thing is falling apart - it has cracked in the junction holding the heating element and I can see the heating element glowing red in there. The entire desoldering head was available as a replacement but seems to be NLA. However there is a are two 80W versions DS80 and DSX80 - are these compatible with the WMD-3? Is the 80W desoldering head from either of them compatible with the DS21 handle?

[tooki]

I'm pretty sure the DS21 handle is much older than the WMD-3 station itself. The DS80 and DSX80 are two of many handpieces expressly stated to go with the WMD-3: https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/79447.pdf

I would not, however, attempt to frankenstein a DS80 heater onto a DS21 handle.

[RG450]

Thanks for replying, tooki - yes I agree, the DS21 must be older. I was sure I'd seen the DS22 (which is pretty much the same) on a compatibility chart for the WMD-3, but now I can't seem to that either. And you're right - both the DS80 and the DSX80 are compatible, I'll save that file for future reference - thanks!

I won't try to Frankenstein a DS80 heater into the DS21 handle unless I find evidence that they're compatible.

[RG450]

how about my other question - is there any point to the 25W iron when I have a 80W iron of similar physical size?

In what situation will the lower wattage actually be a benefit? There are fine tips available for the WSP-80 as well - so what's the point? Less temperature overshoot maybe?

[tooki]

I can’t imagine there’s any advantage. Does anyone even still make 25W handpieces for temperature-controlled stations anymore?

[mahi]

I agree with tooki: Forget about the MLR 21.

The WSP 80 is one of the best general purpose soldering irons by Weller and has a much broader selection of tips than the MLR 21. It's an excellent soldering iron for any job from minuscule SMD to old school through-hole, just as long as there are no massive ground planes or beefy connectors.

No, it will not give you the performance of modern cartridge-based soldering irons, but you already have the soldering station and iron, and LT series tips for the WSP 80 are really cheap.

[EternalEngine]

Hi guys!

Can you tell me, has anyone tried to use WELLER WMRT (T0051317399N) with WMD-3 station? Are they compatible?

[mahi]

EternalEngine: No, the Weller WMD 3 supports only 24 V tools up to 150 W. The WMRT (and WMRP) are 12 V tools and work only on select stations. Your WMD 3 is way too old for 12 V support. But even with more recent stations Weller made a mess of which station is compatible with what iron. Stations with 12 V support usually have a model name ending with M (for example WD1M, WR 3M,...), but I'm sure there are exceptions. It's best to always consult a compatibility matrix before ordering.

If you want desoldering tweezers for the WMD 3, your only option is the WTA 50.

[mt777]

Will DSX-120 desoldering gun work with WMD3?
It is not visible in compatiblity matrix but power limit is ok.

[mahi]

mt777: Good question. The user manuals of the DSX 80, W(S)P 80 and even WP 65 state all stations supporting 80W tools can be used. The user manuals of the DSX 120 and WP 120 explicitly list the supported stations, and none of the older generations like the WMD 3 are included. It's more puzzling when looking at the HAP 1 (100W) user manual. It does not list the WMD 3 either, while that is actually a supported combination. Weller does not make it easy to find the compatible combinations...

I'm afraid I can't give a conclusive answer. Spec-wise it looks like the WMD 3 should support the DSX 120, but I could not find a single reference of anyone using that combo. So, if you have your eyes on a DSX 120, make sure you get it cheap and/or can return it if it doesn't work.

[mt777]

unfortunately what I see that 120W is uncommon thing (to find it in used condition etc). But I track it and maybe will appear in the future.

What is interesting for me than difference between tips. My observations:
1) DS21 (DS701EC / VP801). Tips had bigger hole inside tip to through air.
2) DS80. Hole is smaller. I think that it is bad, but 80W is more important with desoldering on multilayer pcbs.

then we have DSX serie (whats difference between DS?)

I bought in the past single WXDP-120 gun. What is best way to use it? I don't have external air source so preffer inside station.

[mahi]

What is interesting for me than difference between tips. My observations:
1) DS21 (DS701EC / VP801). Tips had bigger hole inside tip to through air.
2) DS80. Hole is smaller. I think that it is bad, but 80W is more important with desoldering on multilayer pcbs.

On the other hand, a smaller opening means higher air velocity so the solder gets transported to the glass container faster. One of the issues with desoldering irons is clogging where solder cools down in the tube between tip and container. Faster airflow can help mitigate that.

then we have DSX serie (whats difference between DS?)

• DS desoldering irons use DS series threaded tips. These tend to get stuck
• DSX/DXV 80 desoldering iron use DX series conical tips. Easier to change the tips
• DSX/DSXV/WXDP/WXDV 120 desoldering irons use XDS(L) series conical tips with extended nozzle shaft

The nozzle shaft of the XDS(L) tips extends all the way into the glass container, which should reduce the chance of clogging. And even if it clogs, you can simply replace the tip and you are good to go. It's practically impossible to clog the hand piece itself like was the case with the older DS and DX series.

The XDSL tips have a stainless steel liner in the nozzle shaft to further prevent solder from sticking to it.

Still, maintenance is key in using desoldering tools. After you are done desoldering, insert the cleaning tool into the nozzle to push any remaining solder or burnt flux to the glass container, regularly empty the container and occasionally inspect and replace the filters.

I've used the DSX 120 and WXDP 120 extensively and am very pleased with their performance.

I bought in the past single WXDP-120 gun. What is best way to use it? I don't have external air source so preffer inside station.

If you prefer the pump inside the station, you don't have much options: Only the WXR 3 rework station comes with a built-in pump (the WXDP 120 is from the newer WX-series and not compatible with older rework stations like the WR 2 and WR 3M).

Weller also offers the WXair, a standalone pump unit that can be combined with the WX 1 and WX 2 soldering stations.

[mt777]

Thanks for a lot of clarification.
On the way is DSX80 for my WMD3 (now I use DS80).
Will try find 120W version too and station for WXDP.

About pressure I felt that DS701 had bigger vacuum value than on WMD3...

[mt777]

I got another WMD3 station with DSX iron.

1) Station starts with ~3secs delay. No reading temperature (no green light). Power is forwarded to the iron as is being warm. Any known potential issues to check/resolve?
2) I am surprised that DSX tips don't have a thread like DS. Is it normal that is attached to the iron by push? When I take back iron (with some energy) to the stand then tip has been myself deteached.

[mahi]

I can't help with the WMD 3. I'm not familiar with it.

2) I am surprised that DSX tips don't have a thread like DS. Is it normal that is attached to the iron by push? When I take back iron (with some energy) to the stand then tip has been myself deteached.

No, that tip is not inserted properly!

The usage is more like a bayonet. It goes in only one way, then turn it 45° to lock. The tip should sit almost flush with the soldering iron, just like the DS tip in your picture.

Take a close look at the reverse cone of the tip and you'll notice that it is eccentric. If you look carefully at the opening in the soldering iron, you'll see it is eccentric too. If you insert the tip in a random position and rotate it, it should drop deeper when you properly align it. That's when the reverse cone is in the right position to lock.

IMPORTANT: You should only remove and install the tip when the iron is hot (when cold you need excessive force to remove it and a newly inserted tip will get loose when heated). Normally a special pair of pliers is supplied with the soldering station bundle or the cleaning kit, to hold the tip while hot. See attached image.

In practice you do not have to pay close attention to the alignment. To remove a tip, simply grab it with the pliers, turn it 45° counter clockwise, and then pull it out. There are holes in the stand to put the hot tip in to cool down. To install a new tip, hold it with the pliers, insert it in the soldering iron and rotate any way until you feel it drop deeper. Then turn 45° clockwise to lock. Don't lock it really tight - minimal effort to lock and unlock is fine.

It's a bit tricky the first times you do it, but once you get the hang of it you'll find it much quicker to swap tips than with the old DS screw design.

Be careful with the pliers as the beaks get very hot while replacing tips.

[mt777]

Couldn't mount the tip more deeply.
Could you provide pic of yours? On the web I tried compare and didn't see that are ideally sticked to the heat element like in DS serie...

[mahi]

You're right. I just checked my WXDP 120 and the tip is indeed not flush. There's a 1 mm gap (the reverse cone is 3 mm tall so 2 mm are used to lock the tip). I seem to remember the gap was smaller when I got the soldering iron, but maybe my memory is playing tricks on me... Sorry about the misinformation.

I was also wrong about the tips themselves. I'm checking Weller's catalog at the moment and it seems the DSX 80 uses DX tips - not XDS tips like the DSX 120. I thought all DSX soldering irons shared the same tips. I corrected my earlier message. Judging by the shape of your tip, it's a DX tip (XDS tips have a shorter hex nut). So, that should be right.

As to why you can't insert it properly, I don't know. When I look at your picture again, the tip is not straight in line with the soldering iron. Maybe there are deposits on the internal cone that prevent the tip from being inserted? Weller supplies a special reamer bit with each desoldering iron to clean the cone. For the DSX 80 that is T0058706794N. See attached picture.

[mt777]

How to use these cleaning tips? I didn't see any manual for it. Is it used for cleaning small hole inside the iron?
Looks like a bits so where to attach it, especially that use them when iron will be hot?

Suddenly locally appeared DSX-120. Works.

[mahi]

How to use these cleaning tips? I didn't see any manual for it. Is it used for cleaning small hole inside the iron?
Looks like a bits so where to attach it, especially that use them when iron will be hot?

You mean like the one pictured in my previous post? That's a reamer. I've never had to use it myself, but usage seems pretty straightforward. Grab the reamer with the pliers, insert it into the cone and rotate it while applying mild pressure to remove deposits from the cone. It's not supposed to "attach" to the soldering iron. You just hold it with the pliers while cleaning.

PS: In case you get the reamer bit, do not use the DSX 80 reamer on the DSX 120 and vice versa. They have different cones.

[mt777]

ok, thanks a lot. Maybe previous owner of DSX-80 wrongly attached used/damaged tips and now can't fully properly insert the new one. Would need another DSX-80 gun to compare.
Anyway, I will go with DSX-120 + XDS serie as primary iron.

What about usage of HAP? I wonder if really need and better save weller pump and use cheap china hot-air station..

[mahi]

In my opinion you are better off with a dedicated hot air soldering station than the HAP 1 or HAP 200. The HAP 200 is 200 W and the maximum air volume is 15 l/min (with a 30 s on/off cycle to prevent the pump from overheating).

Dedicated hot air soldering stations can move a lot more air and have the thermal power to keep it heated. Take for example the Weller WHA 900. The heating element is 600+ W and the pump delivers up to 50 l/min. And to modern standards even that is weak. The popular Quick 861DW is 1000 W with up to 120 l/min. That does not mean you'll always use the hot air station at max settings, but at least you have the power available when needed whereas the HAP 1 and HAP 200 can do only small components, or require special accessories to create heated chambers for larger chips (Weller WRK).

Proper hot air stations use a turbine pump. While by no means silent, the noise is a lot more bearable than the drone of a rotary vane pump like in the Weller rework stations.

[mt777]

I feel the same so in result - WMD1 station should be enough and PUD81 separately for WSP80.
It is quite annoying to disable desoldering part by clicking both buttons in one time.

[mt777]

I have found interesting behaviors.
Bought extra WMD3 and WMD1

- my initial wmd3: when you press button on desoldering gun then pump is always activated for 3 seconds. I was surprised with it but assumed that it is a new weller approach.
DSX-120 works

- second wmd3: pump is enabled as long you have pressed the button
DSX-120 is not detected!

- wmd1: similar to second wmd3

So there must be different firmwares

[mahi]

Only Weller can shed light on firmware differences, but since these units are long out of support I'm afraid you will not get much help from them.

Weller typically uses PIC microcontrollers, but I assume the code protection feature is enabled so that it is impossible to clone the chip.

As for the vacuum-off delay, according to the WMD 3 user manual it can be toggled:

Pump overrun when using the vacuum function
When desoldering, the vacuum function can be set to continue running (1 sec.). The factory setting does not active this over-run.

Switching on the pump overrun
Switch off the unit. Press the „up“ and „down“ buttons when switching the unit back on, until the self-test is finished. A „-1-“ will appear on the display. Release the buttons.

Switching off the pump overrun
Switch off the unit. Press the „up“ and „down“ buttons when switching the unit back on, until the self-test is finished. A „-0-“ will appear on the display. Release the buttons.

Note that the user manual speaks of 1 second instead of 3. This may have changed in a later firmware revision. In later stations like the WR and WXR the vacuum-off delay is configurable.

[tooki]

- my initial wmd3: when you press button on desoldering gun then pump is always activated for 3 seconds. I was surprised with it but assumed that it is a new weller approach.
DSX-120 works

Well, aside from being configurabel as mahi found out, it's nothing new. Many other brands (for example, Pace) have done this for years. This ensures that solder that is sucked in the tip actually makes it into the collection container, rather than the airflow stopping too soon.

It's no substitute for learning proper technique, but it's a nice little help.