Weller spare parts outrageous prices - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2016, 09:29:51 pm
content: Years ago we decided to standardize all our soldering stations to the Weller WS-81 (see photo 1 attached).The reason was that it is a good, reliable station, tips are inexpensive (even if they are not long-lasting) and we did not need a digital display.After about 10 years one station has began operating erratically. Sometimes the tip was cooling even if the LED was ON, soldering was a pain and we got a lot of defective joints.Investigation revealed that the end of the heating element (the part that contacts the base of the conical tip) has oxidised to the point that it did not make a good thermal contact with the tip.I tried to remove the oxide (with a file), but I damaged what I believe is the thermocouple junction, and operation became even more unstable.So I ordered a replacement (see photo 2 attached) from my local official Weller distributor, for the outrageous price of 90.00 Euros + VAT.This is almost the price of a new HAKKO FX-888D complete station (98.00 Euros + VAT), that I believe is equivalent in quality and performance to the Weller (current price about 250.00 Euros).It is outrageous, there is no reason for this. Or there is?Best regards

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2016, 09:57:31 pm
content: Weller and other Industrial soldering stations tend to cost a lot to buy and spares are similarly expensive. They are normally long lived however. If you think Weller is expensive, take a look at PACE prices.Sadly you can't really compare Weller or PACE with HAKKO. IMHO that is like comparing apples and oranges. HAKKO may work fine but it is not a brand I have seen used on production lines in the UK.It's the old saying, buy a Mercedes, you pay Mercedes prices for spare parts.Fraser

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2016, 11:06:24 pm
content: Quote from: ciccio on January 25, 2016, 09:29:51 pmI use the same WSP80 iron, and the replacement heating element is $50.84 from TEquipment (here). They ship internationally, and although it would have to cross the Atlantic, may actually still be cheaper should any of the other units require one. The same element from other sources, such as Newark, want more than double that. And the element for the newer WP80 is even worse last I checked. In the case of the WMP (iron made specifically for SMD), there are no spare parts; so if it dies, you have to buy a new iron.Regarding performance, the Weller WSP80 iron does do better than the Hakko FX-888D (multiple power units work with the WSP80 or WP80, some having a lot more features over the entry level Hakko).Quote from: Fraser on January 25, 2016, 09:57:31 pmPace is definitely outrageous on their spares costs.I found a complete hot air rework station in great shape on eBay, but the price of a replacement element was $400 (~2x what the entire station sold for IIRC).Prices like that scared me off, so I ended up with my Quick 861DW instead for similar money as the used Pace (paid ~$225 shipped).As per Hakko in manufacturing settings, they're used quite a bit here in the US for example (reliable & the pricing is good). But since they have such a tiny presence in the UK (and over-priced), it's no wonder they're uncommon. The same goes here in the case of Ersa for example; people have heard of them, but they're rare due to 230V only and few sources to buy them (or spares/consumables).

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 12:04:22 am
content: I have two gorgeous PACE hot air stations. One is programmable to permit complex temperature profiles to be used.......... Both need new heating elements, both elements are the same type and cost $400 each.......... Both hot air stations are sat under my bench in disgrace ! Maybe one day I will find a reasonably priced spare heating element, or two?A modification may be another option to allow use of cheap Chinese heaters.I love PACE kit but the spares prices make you want to cry.Fraser

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 12:44:40 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on January 26, 2016, 12:04:22 amThe one I found was one of the programmable units as well. Mighty nice bit of kit, but the element cost really shocked me as I was accustomed to Hakko's prices;A1523for example, and they don't die frequently at all (just let it run through it's cool down phase before turning off the power strip it's plugged into).Perhaps rewind the existing element frames with the appropriate resistance wire (hoping nichrome termination is crimped, so DIY friendly vs. brazing or spot welding)?Awful if you can't get them back into service without having to pay so dearly for replacement elements.

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 02:49:59 am
content: Quote from: Fraser on January 25, 2016, 09:57:31 pmHakko are pretty horrible compared to JBC. PACE are very good too, but JBC irons perform an order of magnitude above Hakko and several orders of magnitude above the Chinese rip-off Hakko irons.As for Weller, I have a Weller I bought in 1979. I still have it. Cooper Tools in Albury, NSW where the Wellers were made sent me a spare parts kit at no charge around 2005. Still works well, and I use it mainly off-site.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 07:14:12 am
content: In my post I was not referring to a top of the line Weller station, but at one that is in the lower range.I've tested an Hakko FX 888 and, honestly, I did not find any difference with my Weller.Regarding reliability, I've a very old (about 1980) Weller WTCP station, that is still working, apart some cracks in the plastic. The quality of plating in the iron is really better than that of the WSP. It oxidises after a few hours. The tips were longer-lasting.We will continue with Weller for the simple reason that I do not want to stock two series of tips, and I'll continue to pay top prices for the spares..Best regards

author: VK3DRB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 09:32:44 am
content: Quote from: ciccio on January 26, 2016, 07:14:12 amHey Ciccio. Mine is a TC202D (with the integrated sponge tray). I never liked the separate metal tray Wellers. The tray rusts. Please look at the back of the model and see where it is made. I suspect it might be Albury, NSW, Australia.

author: marber
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 10:43:30 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on January 26, 2016, 02:49:59 amThis is pretty meaningless without mentioning specific station models. I'm sure there are JBCs that perform significantly better than an entry level Hakko FX-888, but less so with higher models (apples to apples).

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2016, 11:52:49 am
content: Quote from: VK3DRB on January 26, 2016, 09:32:44 amNo, made in Germany....The spring coil is a little rusty, but it seem that it rusts only in the points where it's heated by the iron.In my WS-81 the base of the iron holder is painted with a black paint that seems powder coating, but which delaminated in a very short time...Best regards

author: Lomax
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2016, 02:51:05 pm
content: Quote from: ciccio on January 26, 2016, 11:52:49 amThat right there is the main reason why Weller devices and spares are so expensive: the high standard of living, human rights, and environmental and workplace regulations that we have here in Europe don't come for free. Back in the day when we made all kinds of things in the West, most things used to be relatively more expensive; laptops, mobiles, cars, furniture, clothes... They also tended to last a lot longer. While we may have been spoilt by an influx of insanely cheap gear from China and other low wage/low regualtion countries we shouldn't forget that the luxury of being able to throw stuff away when it stops working comes with many hidden costs.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2016, 03:33:06 pm
content: Just order a complete new iron instead of a part, at least you know something else will not fail the coming years. Keep the old iron for spare parts may another one break down.