Weller WX2 Soldering Station Platform - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2011, 12:12:33 am
content: Check out this decked out solder station, haha. Watch the video to see just how geeky this nerds wet dream is!http://www.tequipment.net/WellerWX2.html

author: Chet T16
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2011, 02:46:32 am
content: Whatever about the station, that's some nice animation!

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2011, 03:45:38 pm
content: Nice video, unfortunately the station is nothing but a piece of crap

author: Chet T16
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2011, 04:17:56 pm
content: Whys that?

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2011, 04:19:01 pm
content: I don't think I've ever used a Weller station that was crap. Overpriced yeah, but crap? How?

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2011, 05:11:25 pm
content: Well it started as this:Quote from: hacklordsniper on April 01, 2011, 07:07:57 pmAnd ended like this:Quote from: hacklordsniper on May 06, 2011, 08:04:41 pmBasically the whole control stage got charcoal after few seconds. The dealer said few months ago they got new "problem solved" units which were old units (many of them having sings of use, something like "factory" refurbished with some add-on soldering) but the problem was not solved. The dealer then gave up on the WX2 and returned all of the stock to weller

author: requim
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2011, 09:25:30 am
content: That's a bummer. They're beautiful looking units. Perhaps one day they'll work out the kinks and make them beautifully performing units as well.

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2011, 10:06:43 am
content: If a unit dies when switching on, it's most likely not a design flaw, but a production issue. At least if it's from a well known brand.Probably parts were not correctly soldered or a supplier delivered defective or fake parts.Shit happens. And if you have really bad luck, stuff like this can survive the quality tests.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2011, 11:13:46 am
content: Seems like its overengineered.From the spec sheets, other than fancy digital controls and what looks like a host of specific accessories that work together using the base station, it didn't describe any improved soldering iron qualities beyond being a 200W iron, over the simpler WES51.Weller used to do tricks in the past decades by creating a soldering system that was incompatible with a host of their other wares, created confusion, and made people steer clear of their brand, and detracted from their good qualities.For $400, I'd look at stations that do improve soldering based on temperature stability and recovery time, such as the Metcal and JBC models that are tried and proven in the field.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2011, 11:36:18 am
content: +1 for JBC

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2011, 01:07:44 pm
content: Quote from: 0xdeadbeef on December 18, 2011, 10:06:43 amActually it was a design flaw (im not sure on its mechanism) but it burned itself if it was turned on and off too quickly and/or without the tool inserted in both sockets. I cant remember right now, i will dig up their official letter...

author: zaoka
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2011, 02:57:22 am
content: Anybody who had a chance to try JBC will never look for another brand.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2011, 12:33:19 pm
content: Quote from: zaoka on December 21, 2011, 02:57:22 am+1 simply the best!

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2011, 11:48:06 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on December 18, 2011, 11:13:46 amCould you elaborate on this in regard to Weller?I ask, as I ended up picking up a Weller WD1001 about 2-3 years ago on a good deal, and have been very happy with it. Initial heat-up is quick, as is recovery, and temps are stable from what I can tell (no access to a calibrator to verify reading vs. measured temp). I'm planning to get the WP80KIT as well for larger joints that the WMP gets overwhelmed.Quote from: zaoka on December 21, 2011, 02:57:22 amI've never had the opportunity to use their gear, but have heard great things. Bit expensive, even for the level of gear IMO, so I've stuck with Weller so far (i.e. picked up the WD1001 for $230USD shipped a few years ago).

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2012, 03:22:29 pm
content: Sorry for late reply, just getting caught up after holidays. You can check old threads for details with key words "calibrate soldering station." A key item is a station should pass IPC criteria. This insures the maximum efficiency of your iron for soldering, meaning the lowest usable heat for the job. Those key items are:Keep tip temp <~ 350oCThis preserves the life of the tip, particularly when using Pb free solder, and reduces heat induced wear on soldered devices.To do this properly, you need to know the true tip temp, the station must be calibrated and can maintain calibration. A good station has a readout that is an accurate measurement of the tip temp, not that of were the sensor is placed [ usually on thebaseof the tip, not on the soldering contact point, which is thedistalportion of the tip]. In poorly designed stations, different tip geometries, metallurgy of the tip, or early deterioration of the tip from use will cause heat conductivity to vary, so even if the station reads out 350oC, the tip may be something else, most folks simply adjust the station output to compensate but don't really know what the true temp is.A good soldering station will hold tip temp at ~ +/- 50oC when contacting its soldering surfaces; this is the basis for the recovery time that you see on the graph.An example of a station that meets the criteria is the Hakko Fx888 or the 936. There are many stations that copy it or work like it, but its waveform is representative of a bare minimum station.Compare to a review of a no-name Chinese station and older Weller station. The Weller and Yihua stations are more the curves one expects of better stations, while the yellow curve is less ideal. See the full post for details. Note, the variations from the Hakko curves and Fabio's post could be due to many things such as the type of sample used for the test solder point, the sizes of the test tips, worn tips, etc., the Hakko curve is likely in a strict industrial lab setting with brand new parts.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=3884.msg78496#msg78496Quote from: nanofrog on December 28, 2011, 11:48:06 pm

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2012, 05:28:56 pm
content: I just bought a JBC CD-2BB bundle of eBay for a decent price compared to what I can buy locally. I'll let you know my opinion once it gets to the middle east :-) Price was about twice that of the local price for a Pro'sKit ... and about $100 more than a Hakko FX-888 locally. But with 2 handles (245 and 210) and with 5 different tips for each handle.Thanks for the recommendations - I would never have looked for a JBC without you guys.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2012, 10:40:01 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on January 07, 2012, 03:22:29 pmThanks for the reply.Bit hard to find, but it seems it is IPF-610 compliant (a few others too, such as MIL-STD 2000 and J-STD 001D). Thought these specifications where only in regard to the quality of the soldering joints/work itself though, and some basic equipment standards (namely ESD).Before giving it a read, I was under the impression any/all thermal data was in IPF-SF-818, and it only applied to solder/flux products. It didn't explicitly state +/- 10F or +/- 5.5C for an iron, but presume as that data was consistent between solder pots and mechanized soldering equipment, the same data applies to irons as well (Temp Stabilty for the WD1 is +/- 9F or +/- 5C). So it seems I learned something new today.As per oxidation temp, I've seen variations in the temps from different sources. IIRC, I've seen as high as 430C on Hakko's site, which had to do with using measured temps in combination with the actual melting point data of the solder used. I presume this was a means of calculating compensation for a given tip in order to account for the mass. But my memory's like a screen door on a submarine some days, so I could easily be getting this wrong.The WD1 power unit (WD1001 is a kit #) has some nice features, such as Setback time, Standby temperature, Temperature offset (really need a suitable K-type here...), and Auto-Off Time. I wanted a decent station that I hopefully won't ever have to replace anytime soon, and is suitable to both thru-hole and SMD work with a lower operational cost (i.e. tips that won't cost a fortune to replace as those with the heating elements and sensors built-in do). Worst case, which seems to be the NTD (of those I use), is ~$21USD, and most are closer to half that. The LT series in the 80W iron are less expensive.I really liked what I saw with JBC, but the costs were more than I was willing to part with (unit was more expensive, as well as the tips for the 245 handle). Upon a recent check, the least expensive JBC is $396 (howardelectronics.com), and the tips I'd primarily use are ~$30 per. So I think I made the right choice.As per solder, I've stuck with lead/tin mixtures so far, as I like the shine that comes with a good joint, it doesn't require as much heat, and isn't as bad with oxidation. So I've been OK so far (made the mistake of lending it to a family member, and got a blackened mess back on one tip I had to clean up).I need to get some practice with lead-free though, as I don't get the opportunity to solder in my day job. I'll just use separate tips when I manage to get around to it (rather than trying to use the rinse method).Quote from: saturation on January 07, 2012, 03:22:29 pmI don't have a calibrator, and wasn't planning on buying one given the price. But like the person in the other thread, it's my intention to use a K-type thermocouple plugged into a DMM with temp function (need to get one that's rated for a higher temp, as those in my posession are only good to 200C). Just haven't gotten around to it yet. Digging around today, it seems that Weller even recommends a K-type, though I don't expect they mean for users to connect one to a DMM so they can sell calibrators.Sadly however, I've had this thing for 3 years so far, and still haven't gotten around to getting a high-temp K-type thermocouple (didn't really seem all that necessary, given how well it's worked for me). But it may be time to finally get around to it...Any further insights you can offer would truly be appreciated. And again, thank you for the reply.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 06:30:33 pm
content: UPDATE - Welcome to 2013. - I have had my new Weller WX2 station for a little over a month now with no problems. It's accurate, easy to use and I don't have any complaints with it. If there were any problems with these units when first released I don't see it now. The touch screen works well and goes into sleep mode and wakes up as it should. Reaches my preset temps in under three seconds.Had a Metcal. It would frequently not come out of standby without turning it off and back on. Got rid of it. This current Weller WX station is a big improvement in both function and ease of control. I don't expect it to last 30+ years like my old Weller station but then the Metcal I had only lasted about a year and a half.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2013, 07:08:31 pm
content: Quote from: olsenn on December 17, 2011, 12:12:33 amNo HDMI output? Lame.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2013, 12:32:30 am
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 30, 2013, 06:30:33 pmGlad it's working really well, and that Weller's worked out the initial bugs.Quote from: SLJ on November 30, 2013, 06:30:33 pmOuch! No wonder you don't expect 30 years out of a new one.I can't help but think of how complicated other T&M equipment is, particularly oscilloscopes, that have lasted that long. Tektronix 22xx & 24xx series being a good example, so I see significantly shorter lifespans as more of a function of cost cutting rather than an impossibility.

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 01:15:07 pm
content: Update:It's still going strong. I ordered and received a second tool, the 65 watt iron so I can also use the station for through hole work. The SMD pencil I got with it is working great on SMD soldering but not for through hole (not intended for it).The cool flashing of the indicator ring you see on the irons in the videos does not happen. The ring comes on and stays on when the iron is on and if you look real close you can see it strobing at a really high rate when it's not at temp yet but there is no noticeable on/off flashing. Weller told me the ring just indicates when the iron is on and to watch the touch screen so my feeling is it's a design flaw they either haven't figured out the problem or don't want to fix it. The manual does not mention the ring flashing. Not a big deal as the iron heats up in a couple of seconds anyway. It is a nice idea though if the ring would flash to indicate the tip temp has fallen below the threshold the operator sets so you know when you are trying to solder a larger component that requires more power without watching the screen itself.The 65 watt iron heats fast and works well though. There are three settings for heat speed. I get little or no overshoot when it's set to standard.I'm still waiting for the free tweezers Weller is suppose to be sending through their buy a station get a free tool deal. I'll do a full review after the tweezers arrive and I've used them a bit after the holidays.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2013, 05:27:15 pm
content: Glad it's working well for you SLJ, and looking forward to your review.