So I’m at the local Lowe’s Home Improvement center with list in hand. I wanted to get a heavy duty soldering iron and thought they might just have one available.
Lo and behold next to the welding, propane and butane torches is a Weller Heavy Duty Universal Multi-Purpose Soldering Gun Kit. For only $29.95 I just had to get it.
Now, check this out! Notice the reference at the bottom of the list of USES:
maybe a sign the hobby making a comeback or a nudge to the owner…hey you know sumpthin about this model railroad thingy?
I bought a high heat iron that can melt silver solder,…reason, large bus wire carries off heat too fast to solder to. good for a fast solder to rail.
Hey, that looks - - - - just like mine! I’ve had my Weller soldering gun for about 23 years, thereabouts and I wouldn’t give it up for anything. I like that recommended use at the bottom of the list there!
Neat! I’ll have to get one of those to install decoders and LED’s in my locos.[;)] Those make short work of buss wires.
Looks like my soldering gun’s - LITTLE BROTHER…[:D]
My ancient Weller hand cannon is rated 240/320 watts - perfect for soldering raw rail specialwork and makes quick (1 second minus) work of soldering track feeders and jumpers.
For inside the panel work, I use a 20 watt pencil iron.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I’ve got one of those, but the %$#%^#$$ tips keep breaking, after only a few minutes of use! I finally gave up on it and just use an iron.
I hope the replacement tips offered aren’t crap also. My 25 year old ones are on their last legs.
Bought one of these kits for my son for automotive use, so far the only problem he’s found is that the case is a piece of junk. Who cares if it has a see through lid once it’s in your tool chest.
I had one of those awhile back. What I really liked about it was, I could lay it flat almost anywhere [uncluttered flat surface] without worrying about the hot tip burning anything. OTOH, as MarkB was saying, the tips had to be replaced frequently and that became a pain.
Alot of people think I’m nuts, but I use an 80w iron with a 1/2" tip. Does exactly what I need - heats the track quickly for a good feeder connection without melting any ties.
I have a Weller 200/260 watt gun and I like it a lot. I have not had a problem with the tips on this model.
Jim
No problems with the tip on mine either. I’ve been using the same tip for over 10 years now.
Well, I haven’t put it to use just yet, and I hope that the tips issue is not a problem for mine. I did notice that one of the tips looked a little skewed and needs to be straightened out; I wonder if that could present a problem later on.
But in any case there must be a supplier or place that sells replacement tips.
As I remember, the tip that came with mine didn’t work all that well. I got the tip I use now from Radio Shack.
Ah ha, Radio Shack!
Thanks Jeff, a new RS just opened up last month just down the road from us.
What I find from time to time is that the lockdown nuts need to be tightened. If the iron doesn’t seem to heat up properly or is not hot enough this is the cause.
On mine the tip was too thin and would bend easily. That got old, quick!
I have an idea that the skewed/bent tip that came with the kit is going to fail too. So a replacement tip might be in order sooner than later… Oh well…
Time for you to get that new tip from Radio Shack.
I have a similar soldering gun. It looks similar to the Weller…but was bought at Radio Shack. Surprisingly, I can’t get tips for it there…but Sears has them in stock. Go figure 
I’ve had my dual-heat Weller gun for over 40 years and I think I’ve replaced the tips less than half a dozen times. Got the last tips from Radio Shack (well, The Source CC here in Canada now). Besides keeping the nuts tight, I have found that if it’s not heating up like it should, unscrewing the nuts and screwing them back in helps. Maybe some corrosion builds up on the threads.
Mr. Monster,
Thanks for the tip on the tips!
Cheers,
Ryan