Compressed air source for Weller WXA 2 Hot Air station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: srce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 10:32:48 pm
content: I've got a Weller WXA 2 Hot Air station. Apparently it needs a compressed air source to the following specs:Inlet pressure 400 - 600 kPA (58-87 psi) oil free, dry compressed air or nitrogen (N2)Compressed air connection - Compressed air hose outer diameter 6 mm (0,24“)Air flow rate - approx. 0-18 l/min at 6 barAny suggestions as to what my options are here and where I can get them? It's just for occasional desktop use, so something ideally small and quiet would be good.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2015, 10:57:09 pm
content: I got one of these. It is very quiet and produces more than enough volume for electronics work.http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00889ZYPQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Inexpensive.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 01:00:37 am
content: Looks like a nice little compressor for indoor use. Thanks for the recommendation.

author: PaulAm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 01:17:24 am
content: I use a little 1 gallon tank compressor I picked up from HF (local US cheap tool resaler). I paid around $30 US for it. Plenty of air for the Metcal and it fits into a small cupboard under the bench.The oilless compressors can be fairly noisy.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 01:35:42 am
content: If Harbor Freight sent over a truck full of tools for free, I would melt them all down to prevent them from ever victimizing anyone. In my opinion, the worst of the worst leading to frustration and lost time. Never been worth whatever the price difference is.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2015, 01:48:30 am
content: Also have a look at small airbrush compressors. Cheap, quiet and designed for continuous use.

author: vdesmedt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 08, 2015, 08:57:55 pm
content: Got the same surprise today when my WXA bought from eBay arrived. I was first desperate then remember I once received a very small compressor together with a bostitch stapler (http://www.neoshop.lv/kompresors-bostitch-sb-mrc2-e.html). I just had to cut the 6mm tube that was shipped with it and setup the manometer to limit air pressure to 6bar and voila... My WXA works like a charm ! The small tank of the mrc2 is just enough to have something like 2-3 min of hot air using 30% flow.Btw, I think just any compressor will do if you can limit air pressure to 6 bar (most of them can).

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2015, 06:51:59 am
content: You have two types of compressor, quiet ones that can run for a long time with a small tank. These are more xpensive but joy to work closeby with eg in your room.Noisy loud compressors with a huge tank, these you better put in a seperate room.If it really uses 10l/ minute at 6 bar then the latter compressor with the huge tank needs to be able to support that flowrate. But then. You wont use it continuously. If you make a long distance between the compressor and the outlet then you add at the outlet a regulator with a water/oil filter and on/off handle. Then you can control the pressure locally.Having compressed air in your shack is very handy for other stuff like blowing out stuff/dust, pumping bicycle or car tires, airtools etc. also a paste dispenser works on compressed air.

author: Marmotta
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2016, 08:48:52 pm
content: I know this thread is a bit old, but thought I'd post here as it's pretty much exactly what I need to ask about anyway. I picked up a cheap Weller WXD2 soldering station, but have had a bit of a nightmare trying to get an air compressor connected to it. I bought some 6mm (4mm internal) tubing and this Bostitch air compressor:http://www.its.co.uk/pd/8213360SCR001-Stanley-4.5-Litre-Compressor-_STA8213360SCR001.htmI can find zero documentation about the compressor, the quick fit connector is larger than 6mm; I think I read somewhere that it was 1/4", but it seems larger than 6.35mm. I also ordered what I believed was the correct adapter, but it doesn't fit - there doesn't seem to be anything out there to adapt from one size of tube to another and, besides, most places seem to classify 6mm and 1/4" as basically the same thing.I have contacted the retailer and Bostitch about it, but thought I might actually get a resolution quicker here over the weekend, especially as vdesmedt seems to have used a Bostitch compressor as well.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2016, 11:54:36 pm
content: It's probably aBSP1/4", which the smallest diameter is a bit over 11mm, and larger is just over 13mm.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 09:31:02 am
content: Standard 1/4 BSP taper thread, with a common quick connect on it. You buy the companion air line plug with either a hose barb or a 1/4in BSP thread on it, so you need a length of PU6 pneumatic line, a push in 6mm connector to 1/4BSP adaptor and a 1/4 BSP female female coupler to connect the hose connector with thread to the unit.I buy these from a pneumatic supplier near me, as I use them at work. look at the pneumatic suppliers near you for the pipe fittings and adaptors, as they are very common items.

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 09:52:01 am
content: Just to illustrate. Something like this would be what you need, i think.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 10:24:51 am
content: Indeed the first thing you need to do is identify the brand of the quick connect coupler that is on your compressor.There are multiple brands and they are not compatible, they sometimes do fit however I found out the bad way that then air can start leaking and your compressor will be running all the time, not what you want.Then you need the fitting male coupler with a thread where another insertion coupler is fitted. This can be Festo or some other brand that can hold the 6mm hose.See pictures above the last one.Now another small item, the last coupler where you fit the hose does not have a valve, the quick connect couplers do have a valve, this means that if the 6mm hose is unplugged the air will be flowing freely. So you have multiple options, most people I know do not want the compressor under or near their desk due to the noise, so place it in another room and make a thick pressure hose with that coupler to your desk and mount it off with another quick coupler mount. this can be the same size as on the compressor if you need to do some other air power tools, but you can also choose to get a small mountable coupler. Then the small adapter as shown on the pictures.Now your biggest problem is where to get this stuff, I would suggest as I did to find some hardware store (not a generic one they don't have anything) that sell lots of compressor (also the big ones) and take your compressor with you or dismount the coupler and ask them to get you everything else. So take the 6mm hose and your compressor and let them fit all the pieces you need in between, worked for me.Sometimes these stores only have one specific brand of quick connector (say Orion) and nothing else, then replace the quick connector on your compressor with their brand and get some spare stuff for future tools. I have a large 100l compressor in the attick and it runs 24/7, besides the iron and paste dispenser I use it for pumping tires, stapling wood and roof tiles and whatever you need, dusting off , once you are in to compressed air you are starting to do more stuff with itHoever note that some tools need a lot of air so they do not run well on small compressors.

author: Marmotta
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 02:02:57 pm
content: Thanks for the replies, what cs.dk posted seems to be what I'm looking for, but having trouble finding something similar. Also, I can't find any specific branding on the quick release coupler, apart from "R1/4 M2814", which doesn't bring up much in Google.I do have a 6mm coupler similar to the first picture below - if I combine it with the second item, then it should work, right? (assuming the bayonet size is actually correct)

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 02:46:57 pm
content: That is correct, and if you were local to me you could even get them for free.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 02:55:27 pm
content: That's a lot of hassle for a hit air station. Why don't you sell this one and get a stand alone hot air station?

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2016, 04:29:31 pm
content: Quote from: zapta on October 16, 2016, 02:55:27 pmJust as with desolderstations the pumps are usually $100 noisy crap.A >$500 compressor is much much better.For my older Weller desolder setup I used a pro vacuum pump, it would get me -0,9bar suction from the iron, a standard Weller stations with vacuum pump gets not even -0,5bar, the ones with a venturii valve are way better but then you need a decent compressed air source.