On 15-Jan-2009, "Bryan" wrote:

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From: "Bryan"
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Subject: WTB Weller soldering iron
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:06:59 -0800
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Dale Parfitt wrote:
Dave, I'm 82 years old, have been a homebrewer for over 65 of
them,
.....Snipped...
Regards
W4ZCB




Hakko is Japanese. Weller is overpriced.

Well, I'll give you that you don't surrender easily Dave. Another
opinion?
Weller isn't overpriced for me. Does Hakko have a repair facility in
your
home state? Weller does for me.

W4ZCB

..... Snipped ...

Dale W4OP

Every place I've worked in the past 30+ years has had some form of Weller

soldering equipment. I've seen only one that we "had to bury". OTOH,
I've
seen many other highly-touted brands that were less than impressive.
I'll
keep Apex in mind though, with Weller's track record, I doubt I'll need
their service.
I recently bought a WES51 pencil that I like a lot and my current
employer
just bought a D650 gun that has power to spare for those big jobs. The
first Weller product I used? Dad's 8100 Junior that finally gave up
after
"only" 40 years!

Bryan WA7PRC

Another data point ... I got my Weller D8100 for Christmas when I was 16.
I used it for 20 years in the US Navy. I still use it at home. I'm now
70. The 8100 is what I grab to solder on UHF connectors and in tube
circuits. On the bench is an old used Weller WTCP Station bought at a
Swap Meet. Not that I wouldn't like a newer Temp Contolled Station, but I
still get along hobby-wise with what I have.

Ken Fowler, KO6NO
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