Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station

by Weller

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Weller WLC100 Soldering Station includes everything you need to start using solder to join metals and create efficient, electrical connections. Designed with the hobbyist and the do-it-yourself enthusiast in mind, this kit features a high-quality, lightweight pencil iron with variable power control, a cushioned foam grip with a replaceable heating element, and a safety guard iron holder. And it’s from Weller, the world leader in soldering since 1945.

The Weller WLC100 Soldering Station offers: A lightweight pencil iron Power adjustment from 5 to 40 watts An ST3 iron-plated 1/8-inch screwdriver tip A built-in iron stand

Weller offers a variety of compatible soldering iron tips. View larger.

A built-in holder keep your soldering iron ready to use. View larger.

A lightweight pencil iron is the heart of this system. View larger.

Durable, Easy-to-Control Pencil Iron
At the heart of the WLC100 Soldering Station is a high-quality lightweight pencil iron with an ST3 iron-plated copper tip. To ensure that you can work comfortably for long stretches of time, the iron has a cushioned foam grip that sits comfortably in your hand as you work. It has a replaceable heating element, so you can continue using the same iron for a long time to come.

Easy-to-Adjust Variable Power Controls
Unlike many basic soldering kits, which can be difficult to adjust, the WLC100 features a variable power control that lets you adjust the power level from five to 40 watts with a simple turn of the knob on the base unit. This lets you choose the precise setting for each unique job that you tackle. The base also includes a "power-on" indicator light and on/off switch to help keep you from leaving a hot iron on accidentally.

The workstation also provides a built-in iron stand to keep your workspace organized and a natural sponge tip cleaning pad to keep your tip ready to go at all times.

High-Quality Accessories for Dependable Performance
The WLC100 includes an ST3 iron-plated 1/8-inch screwdriver tip. Weller also offers a wide array of compatible ST series tips to perform a variety of applications (additional tips are sold separately).

All Weller tips are constructed of solid copper and plated with iron, as well as nickel and chromium to protect against corrosion and solder creep, helping to ensure that your tools perform reliably over time. Additionally, Weller tips are pre-tinned with tin/lead solder.

This WLC100 Soldering Station is UL-listed, which means it has been tested and meets independent safety standards. It is backed by a one year warranty against manufacturer’s defects in material and workmanship.

What's in the Box
Soldering iron, ST3 tip, and base unit with built-in iron stand.

From the Manufacturer

This 40-Watt soldering station features a quality lightweight pencil iron and a cushioned foam grip with replaceable heating element. This product is ideal for hobbyist, do-it-yourself'ers and students.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 6.4 x 3.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000AS28UC
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: WLC100
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (84 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #1 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Soldering Equipment > Soldering Stations

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

218 of 236 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Bottom of the barrel, December 30, 2008

By 

Reviewer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weller WLC100 40-Watt Soldering Station (Tools & Home Improvement)

For the same price one can get a "Professional" series Weller iron (like this one) with constant tip temperature, or a less known brand temperature-controlled station (like this one) that will be much nicer to work with.

PROS:
Weller quality and durability.

CONS:
Price is too high for a simple iron without temperature control, the "power control" knob works like a simple light dimmer - with no feedback from the tip, so the temperature will be jumping up and down while you work.

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Side notes: for pleasant work experience and good quality soldering one needs to keep the proper tip temperature - it can't be too low or too high. Note that in both extremes the solder will visibly melt, but the quality of the connection will suffer. When the iron is too cold: you are likely to get "cold solder" joints that look fine outside but lack internal integrity and often drop the connection soon. These are hard to troubleshoot.

If the iron gets too hot, you may burn the copper traces and they will break off the PCB, you may overheat electronic parts, and (most annoying to me) you burn out the flux before it does its job. Ironically, using too hot iron may also result in "cold solder" connections. This happens because the flux will go in smoke before it reaches the soldered surfaces to clean them and make the solder stick properly and permanently.

The only way to ensure correct soldering temperature is to use controlled iron with feedback from the tip (very important). The WLC100 has only appearance of "control" but you can't set and hold the temperature. It is as good as the cheapest iron from Sears or Radio Shack that cost five times less.

104 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS THE ONE TO GET!, February 18, 2005

By 

FOX (USA) - See all my reviews

Many years ago when I got this iron, it was only $30, and I see it has almost doubled in price, but STILL FAR BELOW the cost of the other Weller soldering iron stations!

And there is really no other reason to get the other ones, when one of the elements goes bad on the other ones, you have to pay more than the price of this whole station just to replace the element! This one doesn't have any element, you just replace the tip, which you can get at any Radio Shack for a dollar or two tops. And I still have not needed to replace the tip on this one after years of use, since I keep the tip nice and tinned.

This heats up nice and fast, is always reliable, just as good as any of the BLUE ones that cost three and four times the cost that the same company sells, and has never let me down.

Get it now, before they raise the price any more!

Once you get it, it should last a lifetime.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars weller soldering station wlc100, February 27, 2008

By 

Michael E. Burton (westminster, sc.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

this item works very well. run it at 50% for most PCB work. this item is a guality unit and has all the power you need. very affordable for a new unit.