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phoinix | Staff 32.4K Views
Mar 22, 2024 7:34 AM

Weller 5 to 30 Variable Wattage Precision Grip Soldering Iron Station

$22

$72

69% off
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Deal Details
Amazon has Weller 5 to 30 Variable Wattage Precision Grip Soldering Iron Station (WLSK3012A) for $22. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on orders of $35+.

Thanks to Community Member phoinix for finding this deal.

Features:
  • Adjustable Wattage: Variable wattage dial enables you to take on a wider range of applications
  • Compact Design: Saves space on your workbench
  • Integrated Safety Rest : On-board secure safety rest holds iron when not in use, reducing the risk of injury or damage to your workspace
  • Optimal Precision and Control: Ergonomic molded pencil grip provides you with comfort, precision and control
  • Quick Tip Change: Easily replace worn tips or change tip applications

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is slightly lower than the previous Front Page deal.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.6 from 6,300 customer reviews.
  • About this store
  • Additional note:
    • Please see original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by phoinix | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Amazon has Weller 5 to 30 Variable Wattage Precision Grip Soldering Iron Station (WLSK3012A) for $22. Shipping is free w/ Prime or on orders of $35+.

Thanks to Community Member phoinix for finding this deal.

Features:
  • Adjustable Wattage: Variable wattage dial enables you to take on a wider range of applications
  • Compact Design: Saves space on your workbench
  • Integrated Safety Rest : On-board secure safety rest holds iron when not in use, reducing the risk of injury or damage to your workspace
  • Optimal Precision and Control: Ergonomic molded pencil grip provides you with comfort, precision and control
  • Quick Tip Change: Easily replace worn tips or change tip applications

Editor's Notes

Written by SubZero5 | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is slightly lower than the previous Front Page deal.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.6 from 6,300 customer reviews.
  • About this store
  • Additional note:
    • Please see original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by phoinix | Staff

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Top Comments

JasonS1468
848Comments
149Reputation
Just get a hakko and thank me later.
Go to Comment
CoralBorder413
205Comments
285Reputation
This is not temperature controlled. A good soldering iron for electronics has a microcontroller watching the temperature and varying the power to keep it at that temperature. A thermostat, really. Trying to melt solder, it adds power to maintain the temperature. Keeping a tiny bit of solder molten, it reduces power to keep the temperature constant. That constant temperature lets you solder delicate components and boards without damaging them.

On this Weller, you set the power, not the temperature, and nothing monitors it. When more heat is needed to maintain temperature, it's up to you to guess and turn up the knob. When less heat is needed, you have to turn it down. Or more often, notice too late that it was too hot and damaged components or boards.
Go to Comment
Bobblank77
180Comments
89Reputation
Or a Pinecil. Just avoid this
Go to Comment

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43 Comments

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Mar 22, 2024 2:42 PM
848 Comments
Joined Dec 2016
JasonS1468Mar 22, 2024 2:42 PM
848 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Just get a hakko and thank me later.
4
7
Mar 22, 2024 5:46 PM
180 Comments
Joined Sep 2012
Bobblank77Mar 22, 2024 5:46 PM
180 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Or a Pinecil. Just avoid this
1
Mar 22, 2024 5:46 PM
39 Comments
Joined Feb 2015
shahaqstaMar 22, 2024 5:46 PM
39 Comments
Quote from JasonS1468 View quoted comment :
Just get a hakko and thank me later.
please recommend a model and ideal price
Mar 22, 2024 5:57 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Nov 2012
darksiderisingMar 22, 2024 5:57 PM
1.3K Comments
Quote from Bobblank77 View quoted comment :
Or a Pinecil. Just avoid this
Is there something inherently wrong with this Weller or are you just preferring something else?
Mar 22, 2024 6:02 PM
3.8K Comments
Joined Mar 2017
AlexS2465Mar 22, 2024 6:02 PM
3.8K Comments
Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
Is there something inherently wrong with this Weller or are you just preferring something else?
It seems when it comes to less powerful irons many lean towards USB-C powered mainly for portability and convenience. With Hakko you get options for different top size/shape that makes it more convenient for some projects. Milwaukee M12 cordless also compatible with Halkko tips so for me personally between 888D and M12 I have both convenience and portability although for M12 there's no precise temperature control but it handles auto wires just fine.
6
Mar 22, 2024 6:08 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Nov 2012
darksiderisingMar 22, 2024 6:08 PM
1.3K Comments
Quote from AlexS2465 View quoted comment :
It seems when it comes to less powerful irons many lean towards USB-C powered mainly for portability and convenience. With Hakko you get options for different top size/shape that makes it more convenient for some projects. Milwaukee M12 cordless also compatible with Halkko tips so for me personally between 888D and M12 I have both convenience and portability although for M12 there's no precise temperature control but it handles auto wires just fine.
But this is 120V. Not sure how USB-C is relevant here. I'm only going to use this for automotive wiring. Any issues with this just for that limited use?
Mar 22, 2024 6:21 PM
103 Comments
Joined Nov 2018
TheFerretGarrettMar 22, 2024 6:21 PM
103 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
But this is 120V. Not sure how USB-C is relevant here. I'm only going to use this for automotive wiring. Any issues with this just for that limited use?
I'm not as knowledgeable as them, but they recommended the pinecil on another post and it honestly has been the best one I've ever used. It's fairly cheap, but I did get their fancy power supply that isn't technically needed. It's portable, programmable, small, and heats up in seconds
1

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Mar 22, 2024 6:23 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Nov 2012
darksiderisingMar 22, 2024 6:23 PM
1.3K Comments
Quote from TheFerretGarrett View quoted comment :
I'm not as knowledgeable as them, but they recommended the pinecil on another post and it honestly has been the best one I've ever used. It's fairly cheap, but I did get their fancy power supply that isn't technically needed. It's portable, programmable, small, and heats up in seconds
Yeah I don't need a battery powered soldering iron with the "Smart" suffix added to it. Haha. Just need a basic and reliable soldering iron that will heat up wire for solder.
1
Mar 22, 2024 6:27 PM
2.9K Comments
Joined Jul 2006
talontsMar 22, 2024 6:27 PM
2.9K Comments
Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
But this is 120V. Not sure how USB-C is relevant here. I'm only going to use this for automotive wiring. Any issues with this just for that limited use?

No, nothing really wrong with it. But one you go cordless, it's hard to go back, especially when working on cars where the cord can really get in your way.
2
Mar 22, 2024 6:29 PM
1.3K Comments
Joined Nov 2012
darksiderisingMar 22, 2024 6:29 PM
1.3K Comments
Quote from talonts View quoted comment :
No, nothing really wrong with it. But one you go cordless, it's hard to go back, especially when working on cars where the cord can really get in your way.
That does make sense. Heck maybe I'll get the Pinecil after all.
1
Mar 22, 2024 6:31 PM
103 Comments
Joined Nov 2018
TheFerretGarrettMar 22, 2024 6:31 PM
103 Comments
Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
Yeah I don't need a battery powered soldering iron with the "Smart" suffix added to it. Haha. Just need a basic and reliable soldering iron that will heat up wire for solder.
Fair enough, but this is the thread that convinced me. https://slickdeals.net/share/android_app/fp/919222
1
1
Mar 22, 2024 6:48 PM
699 Comments
Joined Jun 2016
BradFangMar 22, 2024 6:48 PM
699 Comments
Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
But this is 120V. Not sure how USB-C is relevant here. I'm only going to use this for automotive wiring. Any issues with this just for that limited use?
30 watts may not be enough for large wires (which sink a lot of heat) so you might risk cold solder joints. For smaller wires I'm sure it's fine. A pro might have more insight than me on the auto use.
Mar 22, 2024 8:13 PM
180 Comments
Joined Sep 2012
Bobblank77Mar 22, 2024 8:13 PM
180 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
Is there something inherently wrong with this Weller or are you just preferring something else?
Nothing wrong with Weller. This iron in particular is only wattage controlled and the tips are very poor quality. The price difference ($22 vs $40 on amazon) isn't worth the headache of dealing with those issues.

Weller does make good temperature controlled soldering irons though. Just not this one
1
Mar 22, 2024 9:11 PM
205 Comments
Joined Dec 2022
CoralBorder413Mar 22, 2024 9:11 PM
205 Comments

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank

Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
Is there something inherently wrong with this Weller or are you just preferring something else?
This is not temperature controlled. A good soldering iron for electronics has a microcontroller watching the temperature and varying the power to keep it at that temperature. A thermostat, really. Trying to melt solder, it adds power to maintain the temperature. Keeping a tiny bit of solder molten, it reduces power to keep the temperature constant. That constant temperature lets you solder delicate components and boards without damaging them.

On this Weller, you set the power, not the temperature, and nothing monitors it. When more heat is needed to maintain temperature, it's up to you to guess and turn up the knob. When less heat is needed, you have to turn it down. Or more often, notice too late that it was too hot and damaged components or boards.
3

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Mar 22, 2024 9:31 PM
3.8K Comments
Joined Mar 2017
AlexS2465Mar 22, 2024 9:31 PM
3.8K Comments
Quote from darksiderising View quoted comment :
That does make sense. Heck maybe I'll get the Pinecil after all.
I think for automotive wires this one from ryobi is good alternative as far as convenience and quickness of being ready as well as handling wires that wick away heat pretty quick: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI...41#overlay

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