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Add to SafariWLC100 Soldering Station by Weller vs Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station by X-Tronic
When comparing WLC100 Soldering Station by Weller vs Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station by X-Tronic, the Slant community recommends WLC100 Soldering Station by Weller for most people. In the question“What's the best soldering iron for small electronics?” WLC100 Soldering Station by Weller is ranked 3rd while Model #3020-XTS Digital Display Soldering Iron Station by X-Tronic is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose WLC100 Soldering Station by Weller is:
Considering the decent power and thoughtful design, this soldering station is very affordable compared to most of its alternatives on the market which can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Great value
Considering the decent power and thoughtful design, this soldering station is very affordable compared to most of its alternatives on the market which can sometimes cost hundreds of dollars.
Pro Robust design
It is often the case that soldering iron tips have to be replaced due to corrosion just after several month of using them. However, tips of this Weller are tougher than average and will serve you up to three years.
Pro Convenient to use and store
While some soldering stations take up as much as 10x7 inches of space, this one has dimensions of 8x6 inches. It won't take up a large area on the desk or the shelf.
Pro Comfortable even for long stretches of time
This iron is equipped with a soft foam grip that prevents your fingers from slipping and makes using it very comfortable.
Pro Hardy stainless steel pencil stand
The stainless steel spring stand lets you conveniently rest the pencil when you're not using it.
Pro You can choose the power output
By choosing power output from 5 to 40 W, you can find the heating mode that suits your needs best for the work you're doing.
Pro Suited for heavy-duty use
The high wattage allows this soldering iron to give consistent heat for long periods. This makes it well-suited for big projects that require extended soldering.
Pro Economical to use and maintain
After 10 minutes of inactivity, sleep mode automatically kicks in and decreases the temperature of the tip. It helps to save power and prolongs the life-time of the tip by decreasing the rate of corrosion.
Pro Convenient solder holder
You can place your coiled solder on the special holder. It's much more convenient than having to hold and unravel it with your hands.
Pro Hardy stainless steel pencil stand
The spring stand lets you conveniently rest the pencil when you're not using it.
Pro Brass tip cleaner saves time and power
Besides the wet sponge that most soldering irons are equipped with, this one has brass wiring. It easily cleans the tip and, unlike the sponge, doesn't cool it down. This saves extra power and time necessary for the tip to reheat.
Pro Responsive controls
The tip temperature can be adjusted from 392 to 896 °F. It heats up and cools down quickly thanks to the high-quality ceramic heat element. The digital screen that displays temperature makes it easy to monitor and adjust the heat output.
Cons
Con Rigid cord makes using the station less convenient
The power cord of this soldering station isn't flexible, which takes away from the convenience of using it and carries a high risk of eventually breaking the cord.
Con Not suited for precise soldering
While the power can be switched, there is no direct way to control temperature. You can't really ensure a constant heat output. This makes this soldering station ill-suited for tasks that demand high precision.
Con Fragile handle
The plastic handle heats up and cracks after heavy use.
Con The sponge is too thin
The wet sponge that is used to clean the tip of the iron is thin and wears out quickly. It will have to be replaced frequently.
