Refurbishing old soldering stations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: xwiggen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 23, 2025, 07:58:02 pm
content: So here's the thing.At my workplace there are some expensive but older Ersa and Weller soldering stations laying around that seem functional but are replaced some time ago and ready to be shipped out to the junkyard. The matching irons and tips are obviously worn-out.I'd really like to repurpose those stations for home use/hobby but not really prepared to shell out 100$ replacement irons as I can get a station with iron for that kind of money with cheap replacable tips which will do just fine.Is there any way to hook up cheaply available irons (think AliExpress) or do I have to salvage the stations for parts?

author: inse
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2025, 08:30:57 pm
content: I‘d say if they are free, take as much as you can and cannibalize until you have a working station.In my work they are throwing away the broken Weller analog stations and irons and I pick them up.Over time a usable combination can be put together, sometimes affordable heating elements are sourced from AE.I donated some combos to our local Repair Cafe.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 01:45:55 am
content: Take all said electronics found being sent to recycling or found in bin. Sell as working/non working parts and buy new station with funds/part funds from results.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 02:33:43 am
content: Quote from: xwiggen on January 23, 2025, 07:58:02 pmWhat does this actually mean? Your question leads to more questions. Can you solder with them now? Are they higher power for use where cheaper low power ones would not be suitable? Is it just the tip that is worn? What do tips cost? Are they readily available? Are the handles worn with cords in poor condition?I guess the first question to answer is will they suit the hobby use you want to put them to?I really get the desire to not see them go to landfill but without knowing more I'll second Shock's advice. But only if you're likely to get around to selling them otherwise you'll be stuck with storing them. I'm in the middle of yet another phase of reducing my accumulated clutter. So I am biased at the moment to not want to encourage you to add to yours.

author: calibrationfixture
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 08:26:16 am
content: Hi xwiggen,Be more specific about Models/Brands. Maybe interested, because (Repair Cafe) I am a "local".Calibrationfixture

author: Paceguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 11:34:37 am
content: I would suggest that you pick all of them up and as others have said, if you have a few of the same model, check what's defective on each one, move some parts around and you could come up with something that works. Also, ebay has parts listed that could be of some help. I have used ebay sourced parts to get some of mine up and working. You should post the models up here.

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 01:52:48 pm
content: Heating elements are usually replacable parts, as are the tips.If the stations are older, it might be possible to grab cheap spare parts from ebay.The tips are not horrible expensive anyway, replacement even for old stations should be easily available.If the handle is worn, that might be a bit more complicated. Again, possibly ebay has spares available.Older stations are still great, more than good enough for almost everything.

author: xwiggen
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 04:16:19 pm
content: I added pics of the most reasonable ones, an Ersa Digital 2000A and Weller EC2002 including irons which might be reusable.

author: inse
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 07:57:25 pm
content: Can‘t say much about the Ersa.The Weller, well .. I personally don’t like the irons with the fat handle that much.I prefer the slim WSP80 which also has more power (80W).But that’s my preference.Heating elements and sleeves (and tips) can be sourced at AE at a reasonable price ( in comparison to what is called for here in Germany)

author: Paceguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 08:55:57 pm
content: Parts for that model of weller can be found on ebay. Sometimes you have to be pactient before someone lists what you are looking for.

author: StrayElectrons
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 09:09:45 pm
content: The real reason they got scrapped were cost of replacement parts. I ran into this also while back and, I simply put mine away in storage and bought decent soldering stations from ebay and aliexpress. Also don't want to deal with lack of performance and design weaknesses.Aixun (home) and PDK1200 (work) are pretty good stations and good value and I use mine often and PDK1200 daily at work. Handles can be replaced for 30 dollars, JBC OEM and JBC tips can be had on aliexpress as well. There is good selection of stations that can take JBC type tips.Just avoid the quick brand solder stations, tips is few in between and proprietary.The real murder is the handles, cable and tips for other makes like you ran into due to cost. I had to repair the cable, because wires broke, 2 times over time at previous work with my Weller adjustable station. Then two screws got pulled out, due to my abusive user of my coworker using it as pry tool to unbend crimped soldered components,, of the handle making tip heater loose and wore the holes that pins were pressed into along with heater wires.Cheers,

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 09:55:12 pm
content: Plato is a good source of pretty good soldering tips. They have a lot of Weller and ERSA tips.https://www.techspray.com/Content/Images/uploaded/Documents/Plato%20Catalog%202017-LR.pdfIf your elements heat up. I think it is worth it to get barrels and tips. I have had pretty good luck on ebay for parts like these, recently bought some new Plato tips pretty cheap on ebay. You still need to look at the catalog to make sure the part number is correct.