w1vtp
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« on: March 31, 2011, 07:20:06 PM » |
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I used this Wen solder gun back when I was a teen - 15 yrs old. Actually, it was marketed by Montgomery Wards but it's a Wen. It had a weakness in design in that the part of the #6 copper wire that was ground away to make the hot (business end) part of the gun would over relatively short time erode away and open up. A recent thread got me going after another google search and bingo. I found a modern replacement. It works. Now I can get serious with that surface mount stuff.
Al
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KA2DZT
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« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2011, 04:02:56 AM » |
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I used this Wen solder gun back when I was a teen - 15 yrs old. Actually, it was marketed by Montgomery Wards but it's a Wen. It had a weakness in design in that the part of the #6 copper wire that was ground away to make the hot (business end) part of the gun would over relatively short time erode away and open up. A recent thread got me going after another google search and bingo. I found a modern replacement. It works. Now I can get serious with that surface mount stuff.
Al
Al You may want to power that gun down with a Variac for surface mount work, that's what I do. Fred |
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W1UJR
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« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2011, 08:47:12 AM » |
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Toaster ovens work great for SMD work...really.
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Opcom
Patrick J. / KD5OEI
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« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2011, 10:35:47 AM » |
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old tools give a workspace character.
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Radio Candelstein - Flagship Station of the NRK Radio Network.
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KB1IAW
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« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2011, 11:33:32 AM » |
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That's very cool, Al. Somewhere around here I have the old Weller soldering gun that I bought as a kid and used to build electronics kits. You've inspired me to dig it out and try to revive it.
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Carl WA1KPD
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« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2011, 12:21:55 PM » |
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Now I can get serious with that surface mount stuff.
Al
I may give it a try I've had limited success with my BernzOMatic acetylene torch. The boards melt to quickly |
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Carl
"Okay, gang are you ready to play radio? Are you ready to shuffle off the mortal coil of mediocrity? I am if you are." Shepherd
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W7TFO
WTF-OVER in 7 land Dennis
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IN A TRIODE NO ONE CAN HEAR YOUR SCREEN
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« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2011, 03:03:44 PM » |
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Yuck!  That looks like some critters' innards with a handle... 73DG |
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Just pacing the Farady cage...
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Carl WA1KPD
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« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2011, 04:55:32 PM » |
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Yuck! That looks like some critters' innards with a handle... 73DG Yeah- "Dead bug" construction! Carl /KPD |
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Carl
"Okay, gang are you ready to play radio? Are you ready to shuffle off the mortal coil of mediocrity? I am if you are." Shepherd
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w1vtp
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« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2011, 07:16:38 PM » |
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That's very cool, Al. Somewhere around here I have the old Weller soldering gun that I bought as a kid and used to build electronics kits. You've inspired me to dig it out and try to revive it.
Paul - You shouldn't have any truble finding Weller tips. I think mine will be used - on PL-259s. Let's keep those oldies going. Al |
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KB5MD
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« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2011, 07:28:49 PM » |
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I think ratshack still sells the tips. I always make mine from #12 bare copper wire. Works just as well.
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w3jn
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« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2011, 11:15:06 AM » |
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Wen irons are THE best. Instant heating, tips last forever, no screws etc to work loose like with a Weller.
Last Weller I had, I threw it against the wall it was so crappy, lest I ever be tempted to fix it and try to use it again.
Why some like Wellers is beyond me, when an old Wen is SO much better.
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FCC: "The record is devoid of a demonstrated nexus between Morse code proficiency and on-the-air conduct."
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WB2CAU
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« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2011, 11:34:38 AM » |
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It's probably a matter of personal preference, but I never cared for a soldering gun. I always preferred a good iron.
Every electronics factory I ever worked in also used irons exclusively.
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"Life is tough, but it's tougher if you're stupid." -- John Wayne
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