Features of Weller WLC100:
- Power: 5W to 40W
- Power supply: 120V/60Hz
- Temperature Range: 900⁰F
Are you looking for a new soldering station? If so, the Weller WLC100 is perfect for you! This 40-watt soldering station has a ton of features to help make your life easier. It also includes a spool holder and solder tip cleaner, which are great additions that will save you time in the long run. This review will take an in-depth look at this product so that you can decide if it’s right for you!
Don’t worry about taking too much time to complete that small task. The Weller WLC100 Soldering Station is only 40-watts, but it’s equipped with a variable power control dial for added accuracy and precision instead of brute force. With durable parts and an ST solder tip compatibility (including heavy-duty ironing sponge), your project has the combined expertise of professionals, without any need for complicated additional equipment or training! When you’re finished blasting through wires, panels, antennas, and more in no time at all – make sure to grab new pencil irons as needed so your station can keep helping you get the job done now and then.
Why use this iron over other soldering irons?
The Weller WLC100 is durable and affordable, with a variable power control dial that offers precision instead of brute force. In addition, this iron has ST solder tip compatibility – including a heavy-duty ironing sponge – for added convenience as well as professional quality parts.
Weller WLC100 User Manual
Pros & Cons of Weller WLC100
Pros
- It heats up within seconds and is ready to be used in another few minutes. It is not too warm for the hands, but it gets hot enough to melt solder quickly
- The tip of WLC100 has been explicitly designed so that you can work on large projects like PCBs or automotive electronics without worrying about getting an electric shock from touching any exposed wires
- The price is very fair considering what it offers in terms of features and durability
Cons
- Price may seem high at first glance because there are cheaper / better options out there
Suggestions for people who plan on using it for a long time
Get a good pair of insulated pliers from the hardware store. I’m on my third, and they are awesome at handling the heat, but not so much for soldering wires that can get hot to touch quickly.
Find some way to elevate your hands if you’re going to be using them all day. The stand is really helpful in this regard because once you start working with wire leads, there’s no room left on the tip unless you want your hand resting near an open flame!
[tds_info]Note: Be careful around those smaller tips when doing point-mounted components like ICs or resistors where there may be more limited space between the circuit board and component lead pad (or pins). You might find yourself having difficulty just getting contact points into the small space to start tinning them.[/tds_info]The little stand helps set it up and not have your hand in the way of what you’re trying to solder, but it does take a few minutes extra every time if you want to set things up properly so that everything lines up nicely. I found myself wishing my hands were about two inches taller than they are just because I had trouble lining everything up when soldering wires or thin components like ICs where there’s limited room between component lead pads on the circuit board (or pins for those).
I’m usually pretty careful with maintaining proper heat levels based on what I’m working on, but this really requires an additional level of attention!
Cost-effectiveness, including price and durability
The first thing that I want to mention about the Weller WLC100 is its price. It’s very affordable and will set you back around $35, which considering all of the features it has (and yes, they are so worth paying for!), isn’t too bad. As far as durability goes, this unit feels like a tank and should withstand many years of use without an issue – there are no loose parts or dodgy welds on the show to be seen anywhere!
This tool offers excellent value when compared with much higher-end tools in other brands such as Hakko FX888D soldering stations and could easily do what most hobbyists need from their own station at home. If your main goal is just general electronics work and you don’t want to spend a fortune, this may be the perfect option for you.
FAQ
Weller WLC100 not heating up. What to do?
If your Weller WLC100 soldering iron is not heating up, there are a few things to try before contacting the company. First of all, make sure that you have plugged it into an outlet and that the switch on the cord isn’t set to “off”. If neither of these two fixes works, then unplug it for about ten seconds and plug it back in again. This should reset the temperature control circuit board, which could be causing a problem with power flow to certain parts of your appliance.
The next thing to check if this hasn’t worked is whether or not any wire has become loose near where they enter at one end of handle assembly under coil head; use small pliers as needed to tighten them down securely. Lastly, if you still have a problem and your product is under warranty, please get in touch with the company for assistance.
How hot does the Weller WLC100 soldering station get?
The Weller WLC100 40-watt soldering station can reach temperatures of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you solder without flux?
Yes, you can solder without flux. Flux is used to clean the metal surface before soldering, and it also helps remove oxidation so that a better connection will be made. This process does not need to use any type of flux because there are no impurities on this particular product that would require it. In order for the connection between two pieces of wire or other materials to be successful, they must have their surfaces cleaned off beforehand in order that one may meltdown into another.
A very thin coating of rosin-core solder (which has flux mixed with its core) is all that’s necessary – just enough to cover about the first sixth inch of each end if exposed metal at joints being connected together.
Video Guide: How To Use Weller WLC100
Conclusion
Without hesitation, I would recommend this product as an excellent place to start if you are just getting into electronics or need your own soldering station at home but can’t afford something expensive right away. It’s worth every penny compared with other options on the market, such as Hakko FX888D soldering stations that cost twice as much yet offer virtually identical features – so no surprises there then!
