Weller RTXX tips compatibility with diy station projects - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: ajeje
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 04, 2023, 11:15:12 am
content: I saw many project on the web to build a diy soldering station using weller active tips like the RT series.Here some example:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/diy-weller-wmrpwmrt-soldering-station-project-(open-source)/http://kair.us/projects/weller/index.htmlNow weller has so many tips, and some newest like the Smart Ultra Micro and Pico. Should this new tips be compatible with this projects?

author: surfaced
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 10:42:31 pm
content: I know this is an old thread but I had a similar question and couldn't find an answer anywhere on the internet, and Weller's customer service has not responded to my email.Rephrased, my question is: can you use Weller WXsmart tools/tips on the older WX (non "smart") stations?To test this out, I purchased a WXUPS MS, which is the new "smart" version of the WXUP MS. I also purchased a RTUS series tip for it.I used a WXR 3 as the hosting base station with the latest firmware installed (v0.79).Normally, if you just plug in an active tip tool like the WXUP or WXMT without a tip installed, the base station will identify the tool and display its name, but you will not be able to power the channel the tool is connected to. Installing a tip allows the channel to turn on and the tip temperature will be displayed.Result:The WXsmart tools will physically plug into a WX station.However, their LED ring will not illuminate and they will not be identified by the station.Installing a tip does not change anything.So odds are,no, you probably cannot use the RTxS tips for the DIY station projects(but you probably can use RTx tips+tools, e.g. WXPP+RTP WXUP+RTU).I say probably because to state this conclusively we would need to test a WXsmart tip with a non-smart tool (e.g., WXUP tool with RTUS tip). But I don't have a WXUP/WXMP/WXPP pencil,and the smart tweezers (WXMTS/WXUTS) were redesigned such that their tips will not physically connect to the older WXMT.

author: jwet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2025, 02:19:51 am
content: I have a Weller WD 2M (made in Germany) that has 2 channels, one is a WMRT hot tweezers- 24v/80W and the other is a WMRP pencil with those RT tips. Overall, its all been flawless and has never let me down. I just did a sort of lifetime buy of the tips since I can imagine them disappearing- there was an ebay seller that was selling some- may still be active. I bought this system a long time ago when there weren't a lot of good solutions for fine SMT stuff. I replaced a conventional Weller princess type iron and some Plato tweezers.If I was making a DIY station today, I would be careful building around Weller, they seem to change things every 7 years to make money for them and create ewaste for us. I had a low cost station- WES50, that they just abandoned- they forced me to replace the whole station when the iron went out- kind of BS.You might want to look at other good iron vendors like JBC or Hakko to find a longer term tip supplier. I've found Weller stuff to be pretty good overall, reasonably priced, good tip availability but on the service side, they are just a big ZERO. No schematics, no support, zip. They build their irons to be used and tossed I think. I've never sucessfully repaired a Weller station.My 2 cents I guess- good luck.