On Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:27:51 -0700, Jim Thompson
wrote:

On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:23:48 -0700, Jim Thompson
wrote:

On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:34:53 -0700, "Paul Hovnanian P.E."
wrote:

Tim Wescott wrote:

On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:34:41 -0700, Jim Thompson wrote:

I have an absolutely ancient Weller WTCPN soldering station that is
disintegrating... it's probably at least 33 years old.

I don't have any need for surface mount sophistication.

What are people's thoughts on a cheapy replacement such as...

Weller WLC100 Soldering Station

...Jim Thompson

Fix it! That's what I did when mine fell apart, and I couldn't be
happier.

What kind of soldering station would you reccommend to do the repair
work?

It would cost more to re-cable, re-connector, replace the cracked
base, than to buy new.

I ordered the WES51.

...Jim Thompson

I have never before owned a soldering station with a temperature
control. What's the best setting (60%Sn/40%Pb)?

...Jim Thompson

Better to use 63Sn 37Pb (eutectic) rather than 60/40-- it doesn't go
through 'mushy' on the way from liquid to solid.

I generally use around 600°F. The WES51 auto-shutoff is a nice feature
compared to the older WTCPN- it detects inactivity and shuts down
after a delay.