Weller soldering iron bits

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I purchased a Radiospares (as they were back then!) soldering iron station a good many years ago.

I have uploaded a couple of photos into my album. It is a curie effect type of controlled temperature iron. I have a couple of spare barrels (which define the temperature, but I am down to one remaining bit.

I have trawled the Weller on line catalogue, which is very extensive. and failed to find replacement bits. Can anyone point me in the correct direction?

In hope,

Andrew.

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

Your iron model would help.

Bear………

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Yes indeed it would, if only I knew it! All the Weller info is missing on the rebadged RS soldering station.

Andrew.

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Yes indeed it would, if only I knew it! All the Weller info is missing on the rebadged RS soldering station.

Andrew.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Have you got the RS catalogue number for it ?

it’s surprising how often even the obsolete numbers get search-engine hits

MichaelG.

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

I am pretty certain that there isn't an RS catalogue number on the station. But I will brave the cold and go take a look in the workshop.

Andrew.

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

Andrew

According to my old Electro- Sonic cat. your picture looks like a Weller model W60P-3 controlled temp. iron. Replacement tips were # CT5A6- , CT5A7-, and CT5A8-, for 600, 700, and 800 degree temps respectfully. The dash in each case replaced by a further number/letter to denote the tip size and shape.

John

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

No, that is NOT a Weller W60P. In fact I don't think it is a rebadged Weller at all as it is not magnastat.
The RS part numbers for Andrews iron are:

Handle 544-594

Element 315 deg C 544-601
Element 370 deg C 544-617
Element 430 deg C 544-623

Screwdriver bits
0.8mm 544-588
1.6mm 545-216
2.4mm 544-586
3.2mm 544-550

Needle bit 1.2mm 544-572.

These are long discontinued. I got the data from a 1986 catalog. You could try a search on ebay for the RS part numbers. You can do a saved search and get a notification if one is listed.. The closest bit I can find is the Weller CT5 series for the W61 iron. e.g CT5 C6 3.2 mm Screwdriver Soldering Iron Tip RS stock no 176-6879. This will probably need modification to fit though.

Robert G8RPI.

[Andrew TinsleyParticipant @andrewtinsley63637]

Well that is interesting. I have always considered the iron to be a Weller. The elements are indeed 315, 370 and 430 degrees centigrade. I believe that the voltage is 24 V ac, from what I can recall. It certainly isn't 240 V ac.

Looks dubious if I can find replacement. Maybe I should retire the set when the last bit dies! If the iron isn't a Weller, I wonder which company made it? Just curiosity on my part.

Thanks everyone,

Andrew.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

No details given, but this identifies the ‘brand’ as Neutral

**LINK**

https://hr.rsdelivers.com/bh/product/neutral/24v-soldering-iron-handle/0544594

MochaelG.

.

Edit: __ so these  might be worth a look:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302419244144

https://jmglobalelectronics.com/products/neutral-soldering-iron-w60-tip-ct5a7-new-in-box

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/12/2022 21:05:07

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Those Netural tips are "pattern" parts for Weller irons and are not correct.

Andrew,
Can you give dimensions of a ti you have, just the part that includes the retention flange and the part that fits inside the element?
I can then cheack against some Weller tips.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I note that RS is still selling various ‘Neutral’ items

MichaelG.

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Andrew, In your first post you say " I have a couple of spare barrels (which define the temperature ". If this is the case then it does not use the curie effect. The Weller tips that use the curie effect have a small piece of metal on the back end of the bit. It is the curie point temperature that defines the temperature. There is a small magnet attached to a microswitch. When the metal on the back of the tip is below it's curie point the magnet is attracted to it switching on the heater. When the temperature is above the curie point the magnet is no longer attracted to it so the heater is switched off. On the Weller tips that I have a number is stamped onto the piece of metal to show the operating temperature of the bit. (The ones I have are marked with a 6 or a 7.) The model of the Weller iron that I have is a TCP1. This is marked on the metal flange that is fixed to the handle.

Les.

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Like Robert, I have a couple of older RS single volume catalogues, from 1984 & 5 in my case.
They also show the item codes as above, and also list all item codes in a purely numerical index at the rear, which sent you to the page number.
I seem to recall that in later catalogues, or maybe the CD versions, there was a second numerical item code index, which listed the manufacturer.
If anyone has a copy of a later catalogue, or is able to read the CD, they might be able to come up with a maker.

As far as I can tell, it's a plain iron coated bit, but with a little hemispherical bobble on the inner end, unlike Weller Magnastat, or some of the Antex temperature controlled ones.

The other good place to ask might be Vintage Radio Forum, who have a number of old school and helpful members. https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/

Not the best of scans, but this is the relevant page from the 1985 catalogue;

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 08/12/2022 01:58:09

[Clive IndiaParticipant @cliveindia]

Posted by Andrew Tinsley on 07/12/2022 16:59:11:

I purchased a Radiospares (as they were back then!) soldering iron station a good many years ago.I have uploaded a couple of photos into my album. It is a curie effect type of controlled temperature iron. I have a couple of spare barrels (which define the temperature, but I am down to one remaining bit.I have trawled the Weller on line catalogue, which is very extensive. and failed to find replacement bits. Can anyone point me in the correct direction? In hope, Andrew.

Plenty of stuff on eBay Andrew. Even some good second hand Wellers if you are hooked on them.

I have had one for years and works fine for me – even bought another to refurbish it.

[Nick Clarke 3Participant @nickclarke3]

I bow to others' knowledge of soldering iron manufacture bur should you still require Weller bits I usually go to Rapid Electronics

[peak4Participant @peak4]

By 2004, the iron had dropped out of the 7 volume RS catalogue, but there were a couple of Ersa items listed with a similar colour.
It doesn't feature in the 2001 CPC paper catalogue either.

It would appear to take plain iron/chrome coated copper bits, so other manufacturers' ones might be adapted, depending on the size.

Bill

Edited By peak4 on 08/12/2022 12:21:32

[john fletcher 1Participant @johnfletcher1]

I have a Weller soldering station and one by RS as shown by Bill peak4 above, On my RS one, its says some where made in US, same on the replacement tips. I've been using the RS type this morning, fixing Christmas tree lights Since RS stopped supplying them, I've got my spare tips via Ebay. Certainly Vintage Radio Forum will know but they advocate a much more costly soldering station. John

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Gosh, I had (still have, somewhere) one of those RS cordless irons. Burned a hole through a jacket, carrying it in the pocket

Rob

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