"Jon Elson" wrote in message
...
Benderthe.evilrobot wrote:


"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...

Xcelite's quality dropped, after Cooper Tools bought them. Like every
other brand that they've purchased.

Like Weller soldering irons; I bought a new TCP-1 and the thermostat
didn't last a month.

They replaced the stat, no quibble - it lasted about a week.

They also used thinner plating on the tips - they usually broke through
on
the bit inside the element barrel, the copper oxide would build up and
seize it in solid.

I switched to Antex because it was a cheap disposable item - it turned
out
to be better than Weller.
Hmm, I use all Weller soldering irons. (Pace for desoldering.) I've been
using the EC1302B iron for ages, works pretty well. I've moved up to the
WSL station and WMP iron in the last couple years. Certainly heats up
faster, not so sure the temperature control is as good, but it is good
enough. One problem is if the plating breaks down on the EC1302B, the
back
of the tip can swell and jam it to either the temp sensor or heater,
costing
about $60 to repair the iron. The WMP seems to be immune from this.

The tips seem to last about a year for me, which is really quite good
enough.

Simple economics - I could buy a whole Antex iron for less than the cost of
a replacement Weller element that was wrecked by dodgy plating on the bit.

And the cost is a lot less frequent.