Weller WES51 Analog Soldering Station Review

If you are an engineer, enjoy soldering and operating on electronics, then you have definitely heard about the company, Weller. This company is known for designing and manufacturing some of the state-of-the-art soldering and desoldering products. It should, therefore, come as no surprise when the first thing people reach for when doing a soldering job is a Weller product.

Que in the Weller Wes51. This model not only comes as one piece of hardware but also in two different parts. The first part is the control station, which gives you the liberty to change the power with an analog dial. The other part is a stand with a great cleaning station that is coupled with a sponge. In this article, we will review the model Weller Wes51 and give you all its ins and outs so that you can make a sound decision during purchase.

So why is this model the best in the market? The reason why you should reach out for this model is first and foremost because of its quality, its ability to last long, and still work efficiently and correctly. It has a very simple design with no additional features that may confuse you during operation.

In addition, it is made for regular and constant use so you can be sure that its construction is top notch. It also comes with a temperature lockout feature that has been constructed to prevent users from raising the temperature levels way higher than what is needed.

• It has two stations: You need not worry about having one single hardware as most soldering irons are. This model comes with two stations i.e. the control station and the stand. This means that with a work station and a well-ventilated area, you are good to go.
• Accurate temperature controls: The analog dial is what makes this soldering iron the best model. The dial begins at 350° Fahrenheit and goes all the way to 850° Fahrenheit. The degrees are indicated at intervals of 10.
• Automated operation: When there is a 90-minute inactivity period, the device shuts down in order to prevent overheating and tip damage. In a large-scale setting, such as in a factory, this essential as it prevents any accidents from happening.
• Long cord: This unit has a long cord to connect to the electric outlet that allows you to move freely without any hindrances.

• The temperature readout is analog as compared to others that are digital which makes the job more efficient and faster.
• The unit is compatible with other similar brands of soldering irons. This means when you buy a Weller Wes51, you have to use the parts and other accessories from the model or the company itself.

Temperature

A great feature of the design of this unit is that it is loved by most people is the digital readout which shows the temperature. As much as it does have an analog design, it allows the user to get the accurate temperature and make adjustments where necessary. This, in turn, leaves no room for overheating and guesswork that can lead to accidents.

With a quick glimpse at this product, you will notice that the design was made with the operator in mind. From a beginner to a professional, it can be used with ease because of the simple design. First and foremost, as mentioned, it comes with two stations: the control station and the receptacle.

The latter is made of strong metal which securely holds the soldering iron to avoid any movements whenever you are adjusting or putting the unit down. For the control station, you can locate all the controls there which makes it easy to operate. 

The power button is also simple to use. All you need to do is to turn it on when operating and off when you are done. When you turn the unit on, an orange light comes about to show you that the soldering iron is heated up and ready for use.

This is a pretty lightweight unit, weighing around 4.45 pounds, which makes it easy for you in terms of portability if you like moving around. Also, it is flexible. This is attributed to the long cord that is fixed on the electrical outlet.

The long cord also allows you to mount the two stations in the same space, while at the same time still manage to get the job done. For the pencil, it has been made with stainless for protection against corrosion. Not to mention the ergonomic handle which has been designed to protect your hands and knuckles from any minor accidents during operation. 

You cannot talk about a soldering iron without mentioning the safety features that it comes with. Soldering can be a dangerous procedure, and it is therefore important that the machine you purchase comes with additional features.

With this product, you have no reason to about safety because it is grounded thus preventing any electrical charge from accumulating. This feature protects both you and the device from any form of damage when in use.

One thing most folks use when soldering is cleaning up after the job is done. It can be quite a daunting task. With this device, you are sorted in the cleanliness department. The cleaning station or receptacle has a sponge which gets rid of the dust and other debris that may accumulate on the tip of the soldering iron.

This feature not only promotes cleanliness during and after an operation, but it also ensures that build upon the tip is controlled and kept at bay. This, in turn, makes sure that the heat is kept at an optimum level when transferring from the tip to the soldering iron.

Q: Is this the best soldering iron for a beginner? If not, what is the alternative?

A: Given the advantages of Weller Wes51, this is a good soldering iron for a beginner. Some of the cheaper alternatives end up being frustrating because the tip never gets hot unless it is too hot and may end up burning your boards. This model does not take too long to heat up, and when left idle for 90 minutes, it automatically goes off.

Q: What size is the tip that comes with the model?

A: The model comes with a 1/16” ETA tip.

Q: What does the term “analog” mean on the unit?

A: This term simply means that the unit does not have a digital display. Digital readings are measured in decimal incremental readings while in the analog display, the readings are shown on a meter.

The analog readout might be a bit of a buzzkill for the digital display lovers. All in all, this is a pretty solid device as it assures of flexibility, convenience, accuracy, and durability. It may not be as compact as other models but still gets the job done better than the new ones in the market. This is definitely a must have soldering station device. Also, you can Learn more another soldering station here..........