basementLOSI

Click here to look at the product.

I am looking to purchase a soldering station, and I have been looking into the weller WLC100, but I saw a MPJA soldering station in RCCA one day and it looks really nice. The only drawback is that it shows a digital temp. reading, and I'm used to the Weller dial. Is the dial temp controlled, or what?

islandRC

that one might not be hot enough for batteries.

mindrev

Hello,

I have the same one in European version. The Thermal element is 48W. With the right tip you can solder even batteries but you are somewhere in the limit of perfect to ok job. The digital display shows the temperature of the tip and you can set it with the dial.
The switch to the right change from set temp to actual temp. If you want to buy it just buy and this tip for batteries:
http://www.mpja.com/productview.asp?product=11205+TL


Mike

basementLOSI

As in saying it is not hot enough, do you need a 80W model, unlike this, and like the Weller?

I am leaning towards a Weller because it is cheaper, but still a very good product.

JusBox

iTrader: (1)

Get a Goot brand iron. Best irons i've ever used.

jaysimpson

iTrader: (9)

Have you looked at a Hakko 936? It is one of best available.

John Malin

if you want the best available soldering iron you need to get a JBC iron. The next best is a Metcal. Both are quite spendy.

basementLOSI

Could you point me in the direction of attempting to find those irons john?

John Malin

You can find Both at www.howardelectronicsi.com that the source for all of your high tech soldering needs.

thedoc329

iTrader: (11)

http://www.howardelectronics.com/

Essnowyt

Hello all. I have that unit from MPJA. Cust service is awesome. However here is the porb I have with my iron. Sometimes, rarly, the temp dial goes wacky and the iron either goes to no heat or lots of heat. No heat and I can’t solder, lots of heat and in 30 sec fresh solder turns to slag. I called MPJA and they recommended I look for "Weller” unit due to the iron traveling on a regular basis, and offered to take the unit back. I did not send the iron back, I plan to replace the rheostat and all should be good. With out that prob, the iron is awesome!

If you order one, grab the larger tip right away. pn# 11205 TL

Disaster

It also is only wattage controlled...not temperature controlled. The Weller has no temperature feedback. Having said that I use the Weller at 40W and have no problems soldering batteries.

To get a temperature controlled Weller you'd have to spend nearly twice as much....and still only get a 50W iron.

Link to WC100.
WC100

Link to temperature controlled Weller.
Temperature controlled Weller

The MPJA digital gun is a very good deal...assuming it is reliable and holds temperatures well. To get a digital Weller you'd have to pay twice as much.

Link to digital Weller.
Digital Weller

Disaster

I agree that MPJA is a good company to deal with. However, I'd avoid a gun that can go "wacky." Back in my younger, more naive days I tried to solder a fine circuit board with a cheap 1000W soldering gun. When I move the tip up to the board it nearly instantly melted the entire surface into a molten flowing magma of tiny surface mount components and solder. You really want to be able to solder at lower heats if you ever intend on doing a finer solder job (like modding a playstation.)

basementLOSI

I think I shall go with the MPJA soldering station, even though I don't really like to part with my money, but if I take really good care of it (which I do with everything I have), it will last for a very long time. I wil also get the larger tip.

BTW, what wire do you guys use? I use Wet Noodle, but it a little spendy, and its somewhat hard to work with, plus you only get 2' of it. I see alot of times in RCCA they use some kinda blue wire, which is thinner, and it is on a roll.

Do you know what I am talking about? Any ideas for wires would be helpful...

RCevolution

iTrader: (1)

For themost part, I use whatever silicone wrapped 14 gauge wire I can get my hands on. I am sure just about any RC hobby shop has some.