"Roger" wrote in message
oups.com...
Everywhere I have worked over the years has used Weller soldering
irons.

I recently went to buy a new one and saw there was a "new" range, the
WHS models. They look neat and cost a bit less. And they are RUBBISH.
Just plain simple trashy, not what you would expect from Weller.

I hope somebody at Weller get's shot for putting these on the market,
and they go back to making first rate products!


All soldering manufacturers are having issues due to Chinese exports.

Hakko (Japan) has at least 4 different knock-offs/cones (Auoye, Madell,
Quakko, etc).
They MAY look the same -- but feedback due to poor quality has been negative
from many circles.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...t=85254&page=3

Sorny Roong Industrial Co., Ltd. (SOLOMON) in Taiwan is a large OEM exporter
for private brands by Elenco, Tenma, CSI, etc. Negative is that you can no
buy replacement heaters in US, only the irons!
http://www.soldering.com.tw/cgi-bin/...profile_lst.pl

Weller "TCP" series still solid station (easy to repair, most reliable
temperature controlled station since 1966) -- and I have been fixing them
for 35 years -- need parts?

The Weller moved to Mexico; did the RoHS required retooling and introduced
new models (and discontinued EC series from 2002 -2004.
At the same time. parent company Cooper Tools (Houston) was considering to
sell Weller and some other brands to Fluke (they did not come to agreement).
In past 12 to 18 months -- Weller seems a bit more focused on business (less
distractions).

gb