Looking to buy Weller Soldering Station ASAP

[theGinsue]

I need to buy a soldering station, preferably Weller brand. I'm not looking to get the high end models, something like the Weller WES51 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WLNMMMG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1) for about $130 is sufficient.

I've looked @ local Colorado Springs options and nothing is in stock. Tomorrow, I'll be traveling to Boulder for a week stay for work and was hoping someone here could direct me someplace in the Denver area that would have this item in stock - hopefully near the I-25 corridor.

If I can't find one through in person purchase I'll have to go the Amazon route with delivery to my hotel.

So folks, whatcha got for me?

[brutal]

Sorry, I don't know anyone that carries them locally.

You can probably get one day delivery on this if needed.

Replacement for the WESD51 I use, should be a great bench unit.

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WE1010NA-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B077JDGY1J/ref=sr_1_6?hvadid=153696544259&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028767&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=80479317410910818&hvtargid=kwd-6337801427&keywords=wes51+weller&qid=1554260140&s=gateway&sr=8-6

If you really get in a pinch, you can borrow my WESD51, I'm easy to get to just south of e470 off Parker Rd. I even have some new tips if needed.

[ChickNorris]

Standby...

[theGinsue]

Sorry, I don't know anyone that carries them locally.

You can probably get one day delivery on this if needed.

Replacement for the WESD51 I use, should be a great bench unit.

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WE1010NA-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B077JDGY1J/ref=sr_1_6?hvadid=153696544259&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9028767&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=80479317410910818&hvtargid=kwd-6337801427&keywords=wes51+weller&qid=1554260140&s=gateway&sr=8-6

If you really get in a pinch, you can borrow my WESD51, I'm easy to get to just south of e470 off Parker Rd. I even have some new tips if needed.


I looked at the digital 1010NA, but have no experience with them and didn't know how it stacked up or what the downside was compared to the analog one I have experience with. What are the up & down sides of the digital vs analog units?


Standby...

Standing by

[ChickNorris]

If you need it asap, you may use mine. I've an assortment of tips. Model WESD51.

I maybe-might know where to find one for you in the morning but for the price point its probably just best to Amazon overnight.

* I like the consistency over analog, less futzing more doing.

[Not_A_Llama]

Microcenter will have some options. Some I prefer over Weller.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/419309/60w-compact-digital-soldering-station

[brutal]

I looked at the digital 1010NA, but have no experience with them and didn't know how it stacked up or what the downside was compared to the analog one I have experience with. What are the up & down sides of the digital vs analog units?



Standing by

I just prefer the digital readout to know where I'm running at a glance.

[Irving]

I've got a Weller WES51 you could borrow. I only have one tip and would have to leave it on my porch because I won't be here.

[theGinsue]

You all are awesome! Betwe en the replies and the PM's I think I'm taken care of.

I still need to improve my soldering skills, but that'll come with practice - which I forsee getting a lot of in the near future.

Looks like I'll be dropping in @ the Longmont Harbor Freight to pick up some new forceps and a "helping hands" assembly too. Soldering connectors onto comm cables isn't as easy to me as soldering copper plumbing pipes with a blow torch.

[ChickNorris]

Um, I've got those too. That little doodad has been 'helpful' more than once.

Good call to whomever mentioned it. : )

[Not_A_Llama]

Soldering connectors onto comm cables isn't as easy to me as soldering copper plumbing pipes with a blow torch.
Clean and heavily tin all your connections beforehand. Tape the connector to your work surface and keep hands free to manipulate the wire and the iron. Should go fast.

[Irving]

I've thought about a helping hands set up as well. If they sell them at HD, hopefully they aren't too expensive.

[jerrymrc]

I had a great one back at my old work. It would have been easy to set ya up. Glad you have it taken care of. [Flower]

[SideShow Bob]

I still need to improve my soldering skills

Remember when soldering, ?Bigger the glob, better the job...?

[Irving]

Remember when soldering, ?Bigger the glob, better the job...?

From the bedroom to the bathroom, that statement about soldering holds true.

[brutal]

Week long soldering class in the Army and I have to see this.

SMH

[Grant H.]

Remember when soldering, ?Bigger the glob, better the job...?

While I fully expect Bob is joking, and you probably already know this, this isn't true...

Depending on what type of comm cables you are soldering, if you want some tips, let me know. I build hundreds (probably thousands) of RF and Data cables a year and would be happy to share what I know. (Aerospace, .MIL spec, and medical soldering certified)

The 1010NA is a fine soldering iron, I have one of them, a WESD51, and I still have my older pure analog Wellers. (I have Metcal's, Hako's, and others that I have collected over the years, but I still use the 1010NA or the WESD51 the most).

If something falls through, you're more than welcome to borrow my Wellers while you're working on this.

[Grant H.]

Week long soldering class in the Army and I have to see this.

SMH

Yep...

I saw folks go through the same soldering cert classes and tests that I did and they still believed in that phrase...

When you're reworking 0402 or 0201 components it has to be done right... (And for the 0201's you get to check your work in the microscope...)

[brutal]

Yep...

I saw folks go through the same soldering cert classes and tests that I did and they still believed in that phrase...

When you're reworking 0402 or 0201 components it has to be done right... (And for the 0201's you get to check your work in the microscope...)

I don't have the gear to solder anything that small. Don't even have a hot air station.

I replaced a USB port once on a tablet once and had all I could do to get that right with my crappy eyes and a tip not small enough. I just stick to discrete components in my stereo repairs and misc around the house stuff.