Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

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.!)

[MikeEdwards]

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.
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1976 Vauxhall HP Firenza, 1976 Vauxhall Sportshatch (x2), 1986 Audi coupe quattro, 2000 Audi TT

[Ray White]

[ukdave2002]

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

[Bitumen Boy]

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.

[Ray White]

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.

[peter scott]

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
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[alastairq]

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!
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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.

[Ray White]

[peter scott]

Hello Ray,

Sorry, I assumed you had a temperature controlled Weller like this:

https://static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/4Z762_AS01

Please ignore my post. I think you have mains voltage iron. I don't know if it has the magnetic thermostat but you could try hitting it on the bench.

Peter.
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[ukdave2002]

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

[Ray White]

[alanb]

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.
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old tourer


Morris 8 two seater

[ukdave2002]