Weller soldering guns: vintage better than new

I bought a Weller soldering gun from Home Depot for $20, used it for about an hour, and the plastic next to the hot metal tubes melted, and the tip broke. Then I found all the bad online reviews about it. I returned it, got money back, and went to the flea market (Peddler's Mall). Found a similar Weller gun for $8.. the font style in the packaging indicates it's from the 70's. It comes with more accessories, as well as a built in illumination light. I changed the used tip, plugged it in, and it works. I don't think this one is going to melt the plastic housing, because back then they had enough sense to use a metal housing next to 700 degree heat. I also ran across every kind of tool under the sun while I was there.. next time I need a tool, I'm going there first.

I cannot address the difference between new and old soldering irons, but for the most part I like older tools better then the new ones. When it comes to hand tools, the older the better. When it comes to battery operated tools, I tend to lean to the new technology. My preferences for buying tools in order is garage sales, auctions, pawn shops, and lastly new.

I worked for Zenith Corp back in the early 80's, and we used Weller soldering stations in the service dept and also sold Weller in the parts dept. Back then it was top of the line and a little pricey, but well worth it. I still have my Weller Soldering Station and it works great after all these years. Oh yeah...it was Made in USA

My original soldering iron was a Weller sold at Radio Shack in the middle 1980's (still works but the tip needs replaced and I have better soldering irons now anyway).

I think the old tools were built with the expectation they would be used daily and needed to be designed that way. New guns are sold to hobbyists who might use them a few times a year so they are junk. The new pro models meant for real work are good but very expensive.

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Originally Posted by KillYrTV

I bought a Weller soldering gun from Home Depot for $20, used it for about an hour, and the plastic next to the hot metal tubes melted, and the tip broke. Then I found all the bad online reviews about it. I returned it, got money back, and went to the flea market (Peddler's Mall). Found a similar Weller gun for $8.. the font style in the packaging indicates it's from the 70's. It comes with more accessories, as well as a built in illumination light. I changed the used tip, plugged it in, and it works. I don't think this one is going to melt the plastic housing, because back then they had enough sense to use a metal housing next to 700 degree heat. I also ran across every kind of tool under the sun while I was there.. next time I need a tool, I'm going there first.

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I have two Weller soldering guns, both manufactured in the 1960s. My Grandfather passed away early last year. After my aunts and uncles decided on what they wanted from my Grandfathers estate the Grandchildren then chose what they wished to keep. Nobody wanted his tools, so I ended up with some very old vintage tools, some of which were hand made by my Grandfather, some that have been passed down through my family for 100s of years. Some are very old blacksmithing tools I use today. The old Weller soldering guns are really durable no nonsense pieces of equipment. Far better than what is being sold today.

All the tools I work with, in blacksmithing, jewelry making/art (Like raising cups, vases, shapes, etc with precious metals) are old, most older than myself. After purchased new tools, and having the opportunity to work with older tools and being able to fairly compare the differences, I feel older tools were not only made better, but designed and made to last lifetimes. These days I seek old tools and prefer them over new as I find them far superior to anything being manufactured in China. I have even more recently been exchanging work and knowledge with a blacksmith friend of mine, who wants to learn how to make Damascus Steel billets and have learned how to make tools in exchange. I feel strongly that the tools I am able to make myself are far better than what can be purchased on the market today. I don't see any reason to purchase new tools when I can easily obtain older tools that are in my opinion better.

Scott

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Originally Posted by KillYrTV

I bought a Weller soldering gun from Home Depot for $20, used it for about an hour, and the plastic next to the hot metal tubes melted, and the tip broke. Then I found all the bad online reviews about it. I returned it, got money back, and went to the flea market (Peddler's Mall). Found a similar Weller gun for $8.. the font style in the packaging indicates it's from the 70's. It comes with more accessories, as well as a built in illumination light. I changed the used tip, plugged it in, and it works. I don't think this one is going to melt the plastic housing, because back then they had enough sense to use a metal housing next to 700 degree heat. I also ran across every kind of tool under the sun while I was there.. next time I need a tool, I'm going there first.

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Bought my Weller HD soldering gun back in 1974 still no problems.

Can anyone provide the differences that will let me know if I am buying one of the older versions? Here's a ebay listing of what I would call new old stock. With no other information I will not be buying one of these.

Cooper Weller Universal Soldering Gun Solder Heavy Duty HD 8200 Tool 140W New | eBay

Thanks, Mike

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Originally Posted by miked

Can anyone provide the differences that will let me know if I am buying one of the older versions? Here's a ebay listing of what I would call new old stock. With no other information I will not be buying one of these.

Cooper Weller Universal Soldering Gun Solder Heavy Duty HD 8200 Tool 140W New | eBay

Thanks, Mike

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Weller offers soldering guns in many configurations from low wattage single lamp up to dual wattage dual lamps. Some of the dual wattage guns have lower wattage ranges,

The Weller I purchased back in 74 was bought to solder a pin hole in a radiator tube on the rad from my 1964 Ford 1 ton with the 292 Y-block, Ford did not have twin I beam suspension until the model year 65, my truck had the straight axle which rode rough but made the truck Ford tough.

Those were some of the better years for scrapping, the US had embargoed not to ship scrap to some foreign country’s and the prices at home were high I was making four and five hundred a day hauling cast direct to the foundry in Edmonton.

Living out of an apartment building had to clean my cast on the deck of the truck from my assigned parking stall, every single woman living in the building with out a car had one of my beater cars parked in their empty parking stall.

My Weller Weller Soldering Gun D 550 240 325 Dual Watt with Case Extra Tips | eBay

The 1974 Embargo that made Canadian scrap GOLDEN, as Canada had no such embargo disallowing export.

Shown Here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-c...use-bill/14308
Introduced in House (04/23/1974)


Scrap Iron and Steel Export Administration Act - Expresses the findings of Congress. States that Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States to alleviate the harmful effects of the excessive exportation of scrap iron and steel during periods of supply-demand imbalance by limiting the volumes of scrap that may be exported from the United States during such periods. Defines the terms used in this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, as soon as possible after the closing of each calendar year quarter, and within forty-five days following the close of such quarter, to determine if no shortage, a shortage, or a critical shortage occurred in that quarter and he shall make this determination a matter of public record. States that if the Secretary determines that a critical shortage occurred, he will take such action as is necessary to limit scrap exports for six months.

States that if the Secretary is not able to make a determination as to the presence or absence of a critical shortage as required, a total embargo of scrap exports will be imposed.

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Originally Posted by miked

Can anyone provide the differences that will let me know if I am buying one of the older versions? Here's a ebay listing of what I would call new old stock. With no other information I will not be buying one of these.

Cooper Weller Universal Soldering Gun Solder Heavy Duty HD 8200 Tool 140W New | eBay

Thanks, Mike

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That's the other model they had at Home Depot when I bought the POS. However, it seems Weller doesn't change their model numbers from year to year, and there is usually no date (or much in the way of instructions). I can tell by the font style that mine was from the 70s, give or take. Either way, don't buy it if the housing is made of plastic, find an old one completely metal. PS: It has already survived a few ounces of hard apple cider spilled directly into its vents. Still works fine, just smelled like apples for a while.http://i.imgur.com/kcKS11c.jpg?1