I have been using a Weller WES51D for years. I must've soldered hundreds of
PL259 and N connectors. I have a few different style tips on hand, and I change
the tip according to the job at hand.
I also use the "tin the braid solid and cut it to a clean edge with a razor
blade" method for PL259s. Then I solder the holes of the connector. The main
thing is to use good quality silver plated connectors, not the garbage
typically found at hamfests nowadays. Something like the Amphenol 83-1SP, or
even the silver connector sold by DX Engineering, which is basically a
rebranded RF Industries sIlver Teflon PL259. This past fall I think I installed
close to 60 of the DX Engineering connectors, and I was quite satisfied with
their quality.
The WES51D always provides enough heat. It is all just a matter of skill over
time, and selecting the appropriate tip for the job at hand.
There are are a number of style tips available for this particular station. I
use it for anything from surface mount work to heavy connectors, and it just
keeps on going. They run about $150. Tips run about $4 each.
My first one lasted about 10 years. The first thing to fail was the cord where
it enters the pencil. Due to the age, I just found it more cost-effective to
replace the entire station. My second unit is now about five years old, and
still running strong. It sees almost daily use.
On another note, about 25 years ago a good friend of mine worked for a company
called Hexicon Electric in Roselle Park, New Jersey. They made some really nice
military grade soldering stations in the day. A repair job or two would always
result in him reciprocating with some nice soldering equipment every now and
then. Unfortunately, he became a silent key a number of years ago, and I think
the company eventually had the same misfortune. At that point I switched to
Weller.
Eric
K2CB
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|