Workbench equipment?

[Ebeneezer Geezer]

I have been using a weller TPC-1 soldering iron (station?), but the tip got
stuck and I fear I may have messed up the sleeve that slides over the
element part and holds the tip. I'm afraid I may have to get a new one
unless I can find a replacement sleeve part somewhere - any ideas where?

Failing that, what do people here recommend for electronics work? I'm not
prepared to spend a zillion dollars on something for the amount I do, but a
modest investment in a good piece of equipment that will last years is not
out of the question.

Recommendations - brand, type - and oh where to get?

TIA.

 

[Guest]

I would imagine you could get a replacement part from Weller - try a search
at cooper tools:

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/weller/index.htm

I have used Weller soldering irons forever - but about a year ago picked up
a Hakko 936 station for a second workbench. I paid about $85 for it new and
it works great. (I have a repair shop so our irons are on 40 hours a week).
I believe I saw it on the back page of last months Nuts & Volts mag in an ad
for CircuitSpecialists.com and it is listed at $35 !!! That's a bargain - go
get one.
TS

 

[Mark D. Zacharias]

I use one of those Wellers, but the guys in my shop really like the Tenma
station from MCM. Sometimes they're on sale, too.

Mark Z.

 

[James Sweet]

I have been using a weller TPC-1 soldering iron (station?), but the tip got
stuck and I fear I may have messed up the sleeve that slides over the
element part and holds the tip. I'm afraid I may have to get a new one
unless I can find a replacement sleeve part somewhere - any ideas where?

Failing that, what do people here recommend for electronics work? I'm not
prepared to spend a zillion dollars on something for the amount I do, but a
modest investment in a good piece of equipment that will last years is not
out of the question.

Recommendations - brand, type - and oh where to get?

TIA.

I've got an Edsyn soldering station I got off ebay that I've been happy
with.

 

[Ebeneezer Geezer]

I did followup on this with circuit specialists. Turns out it is a Hakko
clone made for them by someone else. Still a good deal for $35, but they
want $30 to ship it to me (on a $35 item).... So they just killed my
interest.