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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6330 Location: Derby
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:13 pm Post subject: failed soldering iron |
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My TC rewire soldering has been stopped in it's tracks with the failure of my soldering iron.
The Weller 100 watt was supposed to be "the best". At £100 I would have expected better in terms of reliability. Admittedly, the iron is long out of warranty but I am still feeling gutted. I might just as well have bought a super cheapo for all the good this is.
Is there anyone here who might be able to help me repair it? I have bought a cheapo replacement which should be here by the end of the week.
(Oh, and yes the fuse and plug is O.K.!)
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MikeEdwards
Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2476 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:26 pm Post subject: |
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When I was looking at soldering irons on line the other day there were quite a few spares available, if you think it's worth repairing it rather than buying a cheap replacement.
I killed my soldering "gun" because I didn't read the bit about not keeping it on for too long, and kept it on too long. Daft idea, if there's a limit there was plenty of room in the case to put some kind of time or thermal cut-out circuit. _________________ 1976 Vauxhall HP Firenza, 1976 Vauxhall Sportshatch (x2), 1986 Audi coupe quattro, 2000 Audi TT |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6330 Location: Derby
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Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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MikeEdwards wrote: | When I was looking at soldering irons on line the other day there were quite a few spares available, if you think it's worth repairing it rather than buying a cheap replacement.
I killed my soldering "gun" because I didn't read the bit about not keeping it on for too long, and kept it on too long. Daft idea, if there's a limit there was plenty of room in the case to put some kind of time or thermal cut-out circuit. |
Trouble is I don't know what all the various parts/wires etc. are supposed to do... or how to test them. |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4109 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 1:40 am Post subject: |
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Ray, If I were you I'd just replace it with a cheap china made unit, unless of course you plant to use it every day.
I have some Antex & Weller irons that go back to 80's schooldays still going strong, although seen little use in the last 20 years , there is not much to go wrong with them.
Dave |
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Bitumen Boy
Joined: 26 Jan 2012 Posts: 1735 Location: Above the snow line in old Monmouthshire
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 3:31 am Post subject: |
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I bought a 100w Antex soldering iron a few years ago for bigger jobs and was disappointed with the way it failed when not long out of warranty. A replacement element was available to be sure; but when I took it apart I found part of the main body of the thing (it's a few years ago now and I forget the exact details) had fractured off making it impossible to earth the iron properly. No doubt some bodgers would have been happy with a non earthed soldering iron, but I saw it as an accident waiting to happen and replaced it with a cheap chinky one off fleabay. Let's face it, these things are all cheap chinky stuff nowadays, it's just that some of them have more expensive labels than others. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6330 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:24 am Post subject: |
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I think that last point is true. I was disappointed with the feeble materials and general cheapness. I paid out for what I assumed to be a quality item.
It seems you can't win. |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7121 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:46 am Post subject: |
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Clearly you need to establish what still works, so check whether power is coming from the transformer. Check whether there is continuity through the element. check whether the thermostat has continuity when cold. Having done that I think you will have established what is faulty. The thermostat works from the magnetic properties of the tip. They can stick an giving them a thump can persuade them to work. Just whack the tip holder/element onto your bench top.
Sorry, I can't remember whether the element and thermostat can easily be dismantled.
HTH
Peter _________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
Last edited by peter scott on Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:51 am; edited 2 times in total |
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alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1955 Location: East Yorkshire
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:47 am Post subject: |
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I have abut a dozen irons of various wattages. They all work, but the tips probably all need replacing. I even have a huge old iron with a wood handle and rubber cord. It still works! _________________ Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6330 Location: Derby
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Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:43 am Post subject: |
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peter scott wrote: | Clearly you need to establish what still works, so check whether power is coming from the transformer. Check whether there is continuity through the element. check whether the thermostat has continuity when cold. Having done that I think you will have established what is faulty. The thermostat works from the magnetic properties of the tip. They can stick an giving them a thump can persuade them to work. Just whack the tip holder/element onto your bench top.
Sorry, I can't remember whether the element and thermostat can easily be dismantled.
HTH
Peter |
Is the transformer the white thing that the green wire and white wires are connected to?
...and what does the blue bit do.?
There is a clear plastic bit that the spring fits on to?
The spring is about the only component I recognise but I don't know why it is there. |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7121 Location: Edinburgh
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4109 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:23 am Post subject: |
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Ray, If I were you I'd just replace it with a cheap china made unit, unless of course you plant to use it every day.
I have some Antex & Weller irons that go back to 80's schooldays still going strong, although seen little use in the last 20 years , there is not much to go wrong with them.
Dave |
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Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6330 Location: Derby
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Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:52 am Post subject: |
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ukdave2002 wrote: | Ray, If I were you I'd just replace it with a cheap china made unit, unless of course you plant to use it every day.
I have some Antex & Weller irons that go back to 80's schooldays still going strong, although seen little use in the last 20 years , there is not much to go wrong with them.
Dave |
Hi Dave. As I explained in my original post I HAVE ordered a cheap iron and should have it by the end of the week. As it happens, I AM using it on a daily basis and will need it not just for this rewire but any number of jobs in the future. It just seems that when you spend £100 on a Weller these days - which always had a good reputation - you might just as well throw your money down the drain. |
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alanb
Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 2:46 pm Post subject: |
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One of my father’s favourite sayings was “is it good value for money “ there is no point in buying something expensive if you only use it once or buy something cheap if you expect it to last a lifetime. 20 years ago I bought a router to do a job it was a B&Q special and cost a penny under £30 it did the job required and a couple of others since, in total I’ve used it Les than half a dozen times. I could have bought a Bosch for £120 but it wouldn’t have done the job any better. Buying the best is not always good value for your money and buying the most expensive doesn’t always mean you get the best. _________________ old tourer
Morris 8 two seater |
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ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4109 Location: South Cheshire
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2021 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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alanb wrote: | One of my father’s favourite sayings was “is it good value for money “ there is no point in buying something expensive if you only use it once or buy something cheap if you expect it to last a lifetime. 20 years ago I bought a router to do a job it was a B&Q special and cost a penny under £30 it did the job required and a couple of others since, in total I’ve used it Les than half a dozen times. I could have bought a Bosch for £120 but it wouldn’t have done the job any better. Buying the best is not always good value for your money and buying the most expensive doesn’t always mean you get the best. |
I was given advice in the same vein; "When you first buy tools buy cheaper , when they fail replace with better quality"
Another builder mate of mine, now only buys Aldi cordless tools, on the basis that there is no difference in a Aldi drill or a DeWalt one after they have been dropped off the scaffolding, something his staff seen to do quite frequently |
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