I have an old model TC202D Weller soldering station with a TC201 iron.
Can anyone tell me if the WE1010 Soldering Tip - Weller - Conical Long 0.8mm (ETO) is a replacement tip that will fit the Weller TC201 soldering iron.?
Regards Lawrie.
Hi Lawrie
I could be wrong but I don’t think so. I had a look at the product page for that tip and it seems to be associated with an iron that is temperature controlled with an adjustment on the “base station”
The pics relating to that iron and power supply are very similar to the weller models we used a good many years ago. These tips had a magnet inside the tip and a magnetic switch for the element in the iron barrel. The idea was that when heated the magnet lost magnetism and released the switch. These tips had a number stamped on the base. Typically 6, 7 or 8. This signified the heating range for the tip, 8 being hottest and 7 an all round performer. With this arrangement the temperature control was actually in the tip itself and the base only a power supply. Worked well in its day.
I don’t really know where you would get any of those tips today. The magnetic switch was a bit prone to failure.
I just had a look in my “soldering” tool box and would you believe I still have some of these, mostly 8s but a couple of smaller 7s. Two (8s) are still in their original packets. RS components stock numbers 661-576 and 661-582. This might give you a starting point for a search.
I just looked and surprise surprise RS STILL stock these two items so if you do a search on RS and possibly Element 14 you still may be able to get these. There was quite a large range available “back in the day”
Cheers Bob
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Many thanks for your reply Bob.
Yes I have had the Weller for a long long time and it still works ok for the projects that I do.
I will chase up RS and order a new tip through there.
Cheers Lawrie.
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Absolutely love to see that these were tracked down so quickly. Thanks Bob!
Hi Lawrie
No Worries.
If you have any problems getting what you want if you message me an address you are quite welcome to the ones I have, I have no further use for them.There are a couple of small point 7s and a few larger tipped 8s. At one time we were dealing with different Co-ax cables with a solid copper outer sheath and needed the physically larger 8s to handle that.
Being 65W and with the temp control in the actual tip these old irons were quite good with anything a bit on the large or heavier side. Hence the bigger tips.
Cheers Bob
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Hi Bob,
Can you message me off thread so that I can send you my postal address.
lawriemeux@gmail.com
Cheers Lawrie
And if the heater element goes, I found some on ebay last year. Not cheap but my unit has been going since 1990 and just needed this part to keep going.
BTW, I believe that the number corresponds to the temperature setting for each tip, i.e. when the magnet to reheat activates. 7 for 700 degrees Fahrenheit 8 for 800 etc. That’s why, in general the larger tips, have a higher temp rating, but not always as it’s also about heat transfer. I’ve got some big tips rated at 7 and a few very small ones at 8.
Hi Mark
The magnetic switch was a bit prone to failure too. I found RS still stock the tips (some anyway) so it might be possible that RS or Element 14 could also hold elements and switches. I have not looked.
You are correct there. The Fahrenheit scale is probably due to Weller being of USA origin.
Most of my selection is large 8s and a couple of pointy 7s. The reason is when I needed them the recognised method of terminating lots of paired cables was to use the old PMG or APO “Chocolate Block” type terminal block. These preceded the Krone terminating system used later (and still probably in use). These had quite large and thick pins and the 7 tips required a lot more recovery time between termination soldering. The larger 8s performed a lot better in this situation. A good alternative was a mains powered 80W or 100W iron which required virtually no recovery.
Having said all that I found the small 8s to also be a good all round tool as long as you are careful and get the job done quickly. Being able to make the job quickly also minimises “Wicking” so in this respect sometimes the 8s are better all round.
I just did a quick check and RS do have a range of elements and what looks like a magnetic switch here
but like you say expensive.
Cheers Bob
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