Re: Weller WD1002 review?

I can't say too much about the Metcals except that my previous and current employer used them in both the production and engineering labs, and the techs seem to like them. I probably don't really have enough skill or experience in that area to appreciate the difference between them and lower end units (even the Weller I bought is gross overkill for my needs). I do remember one of my colleagues at the old job commenting that the techs were all excited that they could drag-solder large fine-pitch QFPs with them...apparently something they couldn't do with...

Re: Weller WD1002 review?

This reply probably comes too late to be useful to teeDee, but I just bought a wd1001 and so far it's been great. It seems well built and comes up to temp quickly, and of course the big LCD display is cool. Admittedly, though, I haven't had time to do anything more than assemble a couple of very small PCBs from kits, so I can't comment on how well it holds up in the presence of motherboard-sized ground planes and such. It is certainly worlds apart from my junky Radio Shack 15-watter but that's no surprise.

I've had occasion to use some decent...