Rheostat

The Weller 100 Pro has temp controlled tips, avail at 700*F, and 800*F temps. There may be another temp available, too.

A controller would serve no purpose. The iron itself does the controlling, much more accurately than a controller ever could. My iron is ALWAYS 700*F, never 1000 or 1200, so when I pull it out of the holder, I know exactly how the solder is going to react to the iron and the joint.

Send me a 900, I can never find them...

As usual, you spew more dis-information and bullshit.

According to Weller's web page, 600/700/and 800*F tips are available.

No mention is made of 900* tips.

Not for Weller 100 pro. They aren't made.

If I didn't have any, I wouldn't want to sell them, either.

What? Big shot international distributor, can't afford inventory? BWahaaahahah!

You are so full of crap.

I'm sorely tempted by the Weller 100-watter. Currently I use a 75w (non-tc) Weller, but it suffers, as you'd expect, from getting too cool too often when in use - or too hot when it's sitting in the stand - eats bits, too.

The only thing stopping me is the cost Yet again, we over here in the UK seem to be paying over the odds for equipment - xe.com reckons that the Dollar to UK pound exchange rate is about 1.8 to 1 - and yet something like the Weller 100 costs about the same over here in Pounds as it does over there in dollars....!

I have 240 - 110 transformers in the studio - I'm inclined to import a

110V USA iron and some spare bits (also 'pounds for dollars') and go that way.....

In another life I worked in electronics, and the difference between using a non-temp-controlled iron and the 'standard' Weller 50W temp-controlled iron was astounding.... - in terms of reliable soldering and consistency of temperature, also bit life.

Trouble is - I'm still saving up for that wet-belt sander..... (only joking !)

Regards Adrian Suffolk UK ======return email munged================= take out the papers and the trash to reply

controlling,

've bought quite a little bit from these people. If you get on theirmailing list, they have a "private" monthly sale. This past month they hadthe Weller 100 on sale for $58, (~33GBP)so I ordered a spare and some tipsalong with some replacement tips for a couple of Inland irons I carry in mytruck.. I don't know about their international policies or the like, butthey do respond immediately and ship promptly. I don't understand the obsession with high temp iron tips. As long as the thermal mass of the tip is sustainable at a temp great enough to melt solder at 560*F, what is the point of the overkill in temp? Using a 1000*F tip proves nothing. Except I guess Brady gets some testosterone buzz from beating his chest and making everybody think he has enough business that "saving" 20 minutes on a project is somehow important. As if....

They've still got the same offer - I've just been looking on eBay & there are reliable-looking suppliers charging about the same price there.... - so it's a matter of checking out shipping costs.

I was a bit surprised to see that stainedglasswarehouse.com suggest that

Regardless of this feature, using a rheostat with this or any iron is recommended. It's easier to adjust the temperature with a rheostat when needed than to change the tip

I've never tried it - but I'd imagine that using a rheostat (like a lighting dimmer, right ?) with a temp-controlled iron will be pretty ineffective ... I could only guess that it would actually slow down the iron's 're-heat' time - as the actual temperature control is taking place via the magnetic switch at the bit... odd....?

I think I agree with you - I'd rather have a consistent, controllable temperature on an iron instead of something that practically glows - can't see the advantage in that at all...?

It's been my experience that you _can_ have 'too much' heat when soldering - it was certainly true in electronics (though I do realise that's a different ball game altogether !)

Sure - you need enough heat - but why 'twice enough'...?

Been doing some 'kiln carving' today - experimenting with plaster moulds and letting the glass slump over them - great fun - but another place where you can have 'too much heat'. Aiming to get the glass to thin down over the plaster pieces - did this so effectively with one piece that it went straight through ! Ah well - it's all learning

Regards Adrian Suffolk UK ======return email munged================= take out the papers and the trash to reply

A rheostat drops the voltage by resistance, thereby creating heat (in the controller, rather than in the iron). Using a controller on an already internally controlled tip will only make the tip heat more slowly initially, and recover slowly. Ohms law still applies.

I don't have a "manual" on the Weller 100P at the moment, but it seems to me the company specifically says not to use a controller with this iron. As soon as my new one gets here, I'll check the packaging to be sure.

No one solders faster than me. In fact no one cuts or foils faster than I do. I've won many contests, and my walls are littered with awards, and my shelves with trophies. I even beat out 100 blind Tibetan monks when I broke my wrist and was in a cast 4 years ago. I'll post the pictures someday. You can't manage to send me just one tip? I never saw a 900 before, and since you don't seem to use them anymore........... plus how about all the support I've given you on this NG? Isn't all that worth 1 lousy tip? Maybe we can trade? I may have a Hot Rod iron laying around.

Yes - I'd have thought so. Effectively you'd reduce the voltage across the iron, therefore reducing the wattage (Volts x Current) - so your 100W iron would heat up like (say) a 50W iron. Odd thing to do ...?

I'd be interested to hear what the instructions say. Found a spec on the iron from the manufacturers

interestingly it states the following # Temperature is controlled by tip-600°F, 700°F, and 800°F tips available

Think that's the way to go......

I've got a stand at a little Exhibition this weekend - if sales go OK then maybe I'll treat myself

Regards Adrian Suffolk UK

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Hi! Just came across this info at the wholesaler Lincoln Stained Glass Distributor. Since I am firmly lodged on the learning curve, this type of info is really enlightening. Anyway, it states here that the Weller 100w soldering iron has "...patented temperature control unit [which]eliminates the need for rheostat. The W100 quickly reaches the proper temperature and maintains it for smooth, even solder lines." The link is included for your perusal.

also came across Techni-Tool, who claims they carry "Every Weller soldering station, tip, iron and accessory available." And they do indeed have a huge selection. Note worthy were two listings for 900 degree tips. One is for a thread-on tip and one is for a thread-in tip. The thread-on tip ad states that it "Fits Weller modular irons and handles SL325, SL335, SL345, SL500, 7400, 7500, 7760, 7770 45 Watt, 900°F (4037S)", while the thread-in tip ad states "HEATING ELEMENTS WITH INTEGRAL LONG TAPER CHISEL. 1/8" THREAD-IN; WATT/TEMP.: 45W/900 DEGREES F." Note both are for the 45 watt iron. The model number for the 100w Weller is not listed for the 900 degree tips. Here is that link. ?source=overture+weller_soldering_irons&OVRAW=weller%20soldering%20irons&OVKEY=weller%20soldering%20irons&OVMTC=standardAt the same site, the ad for the 100w Weller soldering iron states that it "Uses CT6 Series tips." The CT6 Series only comes in 700 and 800 degrees (at least at Techni-Tool...who claims to have EVERY Weller soldering station, tip, iron and accessory available.) Now this does not mean that Weller NEVER made a 900 degree tip for the 100w iron; it does appear, however, that they do not make one for the 100w iron now. In my classes the import was always put on the wattage of the iron (my Nazi instructor insisted that the Weller 100w was the only one to ever use...period.) I was instructed that if I stayed with the 100w, temperature would not be a concern. Am I missing something if I do not make the higher temperatures a concern? I mean, are there techniques that would require a hotter (faster) iron that I should be investigating?

Thanks! Lori

> I also came across Techni-Tool, who claims they carry "Every Weller> soldering station, tip, iron and accessory available." And they do indeed> have a huge selection. Note worthy were two listings for 900 degree tips.> One is for a thread-on tip and one is for a thread-in tip. The thread-on tip> ad states that it "Fits Weller modular irons and handles SL325, SL335,> SL345, SL500, 7400, 7500, 7760, 7770 45 Watt, 900°F (4037S)", while the> thread-in tip ad states "HEATING ELEMENTS WITH INTEGRAL LONG TAPER CHISEL.> 1/8" THREAD-IN; WATT/TEMP.: 45W/900 DEGREES F." Note both are for the 45> watt iron. The model number for the 100w Weller is not listed for the 900> degree tips. Here is that link.>

?source=overture+weller_soldering_irons&OVRAW=weller%20soldering%20irons&OVKEY=weller%20soldering%20irons&OVMTC=standard>> At the same site, the ad for the 100w Weller soldering iron states that it> "Uses CT6 Series tips." The CT6 Series only comes in 700 and 800 degrees> (at least at Techni-Tool...who claims to have EVERY Weller soldering> station, tip, iron and accessory available.) Now this does not mean that> Weller NEVER made a 900 degree tip for the 100w iron; it does appear,> however, that they do not make one for the 100w iron now.>

It depends, what kind of work do you do? If you build small panels, 3-d pieces, jewelry boxes, etc. no reason for over kill. If you do large, 30" X 120" ecclesiastical panels in churches, where re-bar and wider leads are used, the job would be much easier with a higher wattage,but also larger mass tip. say 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" tip size. In that size iron, tip size and wattage go hand in hand, but if that does not apply to you, why bother. Those are heavy irons, and not particularly ergonomic either.

What is important is the "thermal mass" of the tip. A fine-pointed small tip obviously can't store as much heat as a wide chisel tip. The smaller tip requires more wattage to recover temperature as you work. And, that's mostly theoretical, because most projects aren't big enough for that to be a concern anyhow.

a concern. Am I missing something if I do not make the higher temperatures a concern?

Unless you are planning on going into production making products in high volume and trying to set a land speed record in the process, all the posturing and chest-thumping about high temp irons is just not applicable. Why would you want to use a iron that _forces_ you to work at a pace greater than your comfort level? Just to save a few minutes at the expense of jangling your nerves? The solder bead looks just the same, the joint strength is the same.

What's the point? Unless you want to be able to brag that you vaporized a whole roll of solder in 12 seconds with some hopped-up soldering iron? Brady reminds me of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor on the TV show...always screwing something up and grunting like a little pig.

that I should be investigating?

Nah. Your Weller 100P will serve you well. I've used this iron for almost

15 years, and there have only been a few times that I needed something bigger...like when I was attaching/re-attaching some steel re-bars to big windows. For a home hobby studio like yours, you have what you need.

You are welcome. Thanks for the thoughtful questions.

Well, it came today. No mention of a controller,one way or the other. Only mentioned 600,700, and 800 tips, but did give the model # for the Euro 220v version. Apparently you should be looking for a W60P (D) version.

No problem - I think I've located (stateside)a good deal on a 100W (110v) iron - which, even with postage, is still going to be a good bit cheaper than buying the UK version over here.

I have 110v in the studio - so that'll work fine....

The same supplier also carries the "Twofer" ultra-fine grinder heads, so I can sort out my sawn edges on my fused glass .... just waiting for a combined price incl shipping....

Looking forward to the new iron - thanks all for the advice

Adrian Suffolk UK

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If it really is a rheostat. However, rather too often people refer to a rheostat when today it is actually a solid state dimmer circuit that produces almost no heat. The dimmers put in the wall, rated at 600 watts, use a tiny rheostat to control a triac or a pair of SCR's (silicon controlled recifier) to switch on each half cycle part way through. A rheostat to directly control 600 watts (they used to use them in theaters) is a disk about a foot across.

How about providing a valid Weller stock number for these alleged 900*F tips, dick cheese? These would be for the Weller 100P Series irons.

Put up or shut up.

Who 'ya gonna believe? Weller's website, or Brady? Like I said, dick cheese, put up or shut up.

You are a complete void, surrounded by a sphincter muscle. And a lying one, at that.