Customers are always interested in tips and tricks for solder and soldering. Weller knows this and has been generous enough to give us a list of tips on how flux, solders and maintenance can shorten or extend the life expectancy of soldering tips.
Every Thursday for at least the next two months, we’ll post a handy tip from Weller.
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#1 Use temperatures as low as possible to perform a soldering application, even in Lead-Free environments. Process dwell times have increased for all Lead-Free applications including Wave and Batch Oven processes. Why would Hand Soldering applications be any different? Normal hand soldering dwell times for lead bearing solders: 3 to 5 seconds, for Lead-Free solders: 8 to 10 seconds.
Below the WES51 and the WESD51, the WD1002 is our next best selling Weller soldering stations. We sell so many that we always try to keep them in stock. This must be a common trend with Weller distributors because Weller took that powerful little station, added some new features and voila the Weller WD1002T…a soldering station perfect for lead-free soldering.
Just like its older cousin the WD1002, the WD1002T comes equipped with the WP80 soldering iron and the WD1 control unit. In my opinion, the coolest feature about the WD1 is the set of three programmable preset buttons. Programming these buttons to your operating temperature, idle temperature or whatever temperature you choose is as easy as programming your car’s radio. The WD1 also boasts a high contrast LCD display and a special function menu that’s easy to navigate.
The WP80 is a pretty solid soldering iron and you know this because the WD1 power unit and WD2 power unit as well as the WRS rework stations are compatible with the WP80 soldering iron. The WP80 definitely gets the job done with its 80 watts of power. And for those who work with ESD sensitive parts, this iron is ESD-safe and perfect for lead-free soldering.
I’m sure you’re waiting to hear what makes the WD1002T different from the WD1002. Well first off, the WD1002T includes Weller’s WDH10T Stop+Go safety stand. This stand is neat because it helps extend the life of your soldering tips. It works like this, when the iron is placed in the stand, the temperature will drop to its set back temperature and then when the iron is removed from the stand, the temperature will return to the specified operating temperature. I love any feature that helps to save my tips!
This smart safety stand also helps to save space with the integrated WDC2 dry tip cleaner. When using lead-free solder, the WDC2 gently cleans your soldering tip. It’s also nice to know that the WDC2 will not thermally shock tips.
We are working hard to get this station as soon as we can. Hopefully we’ll have it within a month, so check back in a couple weeks to see if we have them in stock.
Interested in the nitty gritty? See below.
- Dimensions: 5.27” x 4.25” x 5.77”
- Main voltage: 120V / 50/60 Hz
- Power input: 95 W
- Temperature control: 150°F-850°F (50°C-450°C)
- Temperature accuracy: +/- 17°F (+/-9°C)
- Temperature stability: +/- 9°F (+/-5°C)
- Leak resistance of soldering tip: <2 Ω (tip-to-ground)
- Leak voltage of soldering tip: <2 mV (tip-to-ground)
- ESD-safe and RoHS compliant
All-Spec has been distributing Erem tools including Erem tweezers for some time now but within the past week, All-Spec has added several new styles of Erem tweezers.
Erem tweezers are great because they cover a wide range of applications. Their precision tweezers are made from a variety of materials including stainless steel, hardened steel, nickel silver, nickel-plated, brass, titanium and many other materials. Other options with Erem tweezers include ESD-safe tweezers, tips that are smooth or serrated, plus Erem has a line of tweezers that are all designed with ergonomics in mind. Surely Erem makes a tweezer for your task.
Tweezers new to All-Spec include:
- Erem M5S- These stainless steel, lightweight Micro-Tweezers only weigh .21 ounces and are a little over 3 inches long. They feature very pointed tips that make them ideal for high precision tasks such as work under a microscope.
- Erem E15AGW- Many features allow these tweezers to stand out. The E15AGW are ESD-safe cutting tweezers with ergonomically shaped handles that are covered in a thermally insulated soft-grip material which reduces hand fatigue and carpal tunnel syndrome. The tweezers are made from non-magnetic and acidproof stainless steel alloy.
- Erem 29W30- At a length of almost five inches and weighing just about 1 ounce, these stripping tweezers are perfect for wires of dia. 0.25 – 0.3 mm/.010 – .011 inch (AWG 30 – 28). They feature a synthetic fiber handle and can work with both standard and Teflon insulation.
These are just a few of the new tweezers; All-Spec carries over 40 different styles of Erem tweezers.
Of course All-Spec will continue to continue to carry best sellers such as the Erem 5SA Swiss Point Tweezer, the E00SA ESD-Safe Cushion Grip Tweezer and the AASA Economy Tweezer.
Confused about what tweezers you need? Give our friendly customer service reps a call at 800-537-0351.
Cordless soldering irons sometimes get poor reviews, but all cordless soldering irons are not substandard.
One common complaint of cordless soldering irons is that the tool takes an excessive amount of time to heat up. And once it does, it never gets hot enough so the solder doesn’t melt properly. Another complaint is the short life of the batteries in battery powered irons.
But, before you dismiss all cordless soldering irons, think about buying a butane soldering iron. These irons are powered by butane instead of batteries, so there is more energy to power the iron.
If you are looking for a portable butane iron, try the Weller PSI100K. This soldering iron/heat tool is perfect for on-the-go people who need to solder, cut rope or heat shrink at a moment’s notice. The tool operates for two hours per butane refill. Temperature for this tool is adjustable up to 1076 degrees F. The PSI100K comes with several tips including a hot knife tip.
You should know that most butane irons do not come with butane so you will have to buy it separately. The Weller WB2 butane is recommended for use with Weller Portasol tools and Weller Pyropen tools.
The Weller WD1000HPT station combines top of the line equipment to provide a powerful station that is ideal for high precision soldering and soldering on difficult circuit boards.
The new WP120 soldering pencil is featured with this station. The compact and ergonomic pencil is coupled with a powerful heating element. This iron is a champ at soldering joints that are difficult or hardly accessible.
The WD1000HPT is powered by the Weller WD1M single channel power unit. The unit features three programmable preset buttons that can be used to set specific temperatures such as an idle temperature. Great for production, rework and laboratories, the voltage of this unit is 120V with a temperature range of 150°F – 850°F.
Extending the life of your tip is easier with the WDH10T Stop + Go Safety Rest that’s included with the station. When the iron is placed on the rest, the tip saving function is activated, and when the iron is removed from the rest, the tip temperature returns to the specified temperature.
Specifications for the WD1000HPT:
- Dimensions: 5.28” x 4.25” x 5.79”
- Mains voltage supply: 230 V / 120 V / 50/60 Hz
- Power: 160W
- Safety class: I (power unit), III (soldering iron)
- Temperature control: 50°C – 450°C (150°F – 850°F)
- Temperature accuracy: ± 9°C (± 17°F)
- Temperature stability: ± 5°C (± 9°F)
- Soldering tip leakage resistance:< 2 Ω (tip-to-ground)
- Soldering tip leakage current: < 2 mV (tip-to-ground)
Weller expects the WD1000HPT to be launched sometime in August.
