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Weller Digital Soldering Station - WE1010NA
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Return this item for free
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Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Weller |
Item Weight | 5.5 Pounds |
Product Dimensions | 5.91"D x 4.92"W x 3.94"H |
Voltage | 120 Volts |
Wattage | 70 watts |
About this item
- This Weller digital station is 40% more powerful than the two models it is replacing to help get your soldering job done faster
- Easy to handle high performance 70W soldering iron with a heat-resistant silicon Cable for safe handling
- Temperature stability (+/- 4⁰f, 2⁰c) and temperature lock protects tips and components, affording a consistently high quality process with repeatable soldering results
- This Weller Soldering Station is loaded with cutting edge features sun as intuitive navigation, a Standby mode and auto setback conserves energy and password-protection to Preserve settings
- Includes: one (1) We1 station 120V, one (1) Wep70 tip retainer, one (1) Wep70 iron, PH70 safety rest with sponge, and Eta tip 0.062inch/1.6 millimeter screwdriver
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of use, appearance, weight and value of the soldering station. They mention that it's a very professional looking unit, the cord on the iron feels very light and that the temperature control is right on the money. They also say that it works great and is perfect for use.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the soldering station. They mention that it exhibits exceptional quality, is reliable, and user-friendly. They say that the circuits are engineered and that it's very useful for the occasional repair of different household items. Customers also say that it levels up their ability to solder and is consistent.
"...quick to the set temperature, its very easy to change tips, the stand is very sturdy, and it just works really well like it should...." Read more
"Takes all the frustration out of soldering!..." Read more
"...Came with a standard pointed tip that works good for most soldering, it’s easy to cycle up and down through temps...." Read more
"...Overall, it's a reliable and user-friendly soldering station, living up to the high standards associated with the Weller brand...." Read more
Customers like the temperature control of the soldering station. They mention that it's excellent, holds the preset temperature accurately, and warms up in a reasonable time. They also appreciate the solid build quality and the precise temperature control on the LCD. Customers also mention that the unit shows you simultaneously your chosen temperature and the actual temperature in the same display.
"...the iron handle feels incredibly in your hands, it heats very quick to the set temperature, its very easy to change tips, the stand is very sturdy..." Read more
"Takes all the frustration out of soldering! Very stable temperature, and you can set the sleep mode to different times for safety..." Read more
"...This unit also shows you simultaneously your chosen temp and the actual temp in the same display at all times... a nice touch!..." Read more
"...don't recommend the water-sponge method is that the rapid temperature change can pit the tips, making them harder to properly wet with solder...." Read more
Customers like the performance of the soldering station. For example, they say it works well, has a standard pointed tip, and is easy to use. Some say it's well-made and offers good performance. Some mention that it works great after pulling the tips off and that it'll provide repeatable results. Overall, most are satisfied with the performance and recommend it for hobbyists and pros alike.
"...soldering station, so i cant compare it to anything else, but it works extremely well, the iron handle feels incredibly in your hands, it heats very..." Read more
"...Came with a standard pointed tip that works good for most soldering, it’s easy to cycle up and down through temps...." Read more
"...Digital Soldering Station - WE1010NA has proven to be an excellent addition to my toolkit...." Read more
"...This one doesn’t scare me at all. The WE101 is perfect. I highly recommend this for stained glass (at least Tiffany style) work." Read more
Customers find the soldering station easy to use. They say the pen is lightweight, easy to manipulate, and has great temperature control. They also say the menu is easy to navigate, auto-shut down timing is programmable, and the handle is comfortable to use, making it easy to do solder work in a right way. Overall, customers say it's a reliable and user-friendly solder station that lives up to the high expectations.
"...your hands, it heats very quick to the set temperature, its very easy to change tips, the stand is very sturdy, and it just works really well like..." Read more
"...The pen is lightweight and easy to manipulate. I struggled with a cheaper solder gun for a while, and wish I’d gotten this sooner." Read more
"...pointed tip that works good for most soldering, it’s easy to cycle up and down through temps...." Read more
"...Has a curve to it and just has a much nicer feeling. Once picking it up, it feels like an extension to my body, giving me precise control...." Read more
Customers find the soldering station excellent value for money, worth the investment, and cost-effective. They also appreciate the build quality and design. Customers also mention that the temperature control is right on the money, and that replacement tips are inexpensive and readily available in a variety of sizes.
"...Its a great value for its price." Read more
"...marginally more expensive than its competitor but the extra cost is well worth it.******* UPDATE ********..." Read more
"...The price is competitive, so despite the missing AC cord I will keep it. Question is of course: How long will it last...." Read more
"This is a decent station for the price. Heats up fast and seems to be accurate...." Read more
Customers like the weight of the soldering station. They say the base unit is quite heavy, the iron itself is very lightweight, and flexible. Some mention that the unit is heavy for its size, and the base that holds the iron is heavy. Some like the thin and light iron, and say it works perfectly for tight work.
"...The pen is lightweight and easy to manipulate. I struggled with a cheaper solder gun for a while, and wish I’d gotten this sooner." Read more
"...The wand chord has a very "silky" smooth feel to it, is VERY light, and very flexible... when using the iron, I noticed that I couldn't even..." Read more
"...It's heavy.7. The cord is flexible, even at low temperatures so you aren't fighting with the cord to work with it...." Read more
"...do better but I was so wrong, I am probably returning the 100 as it’s bulky, heavy, and a scary (almost fire risk). This one doesn’t scare me at all...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the soldering station. They mention it's a professional looking unit, the handle is well designed, and it remains cool to touch during operation. Some appreciate the LCD display and the fact that the soldered joints look better.
"...At least it isn't slow.Otherwise, it's a very neat unit, and if you are a serious EE major, enthusiast or do production grade PCB..." Read more
"...6. The iron holder is also very nice - holds it snug there is no flopping out of the holder if you bump it. It's heavy.7...." Read more
"...smoothly into joints, and then cools down quickly into strong, shiny joints you can be proud of...." Read more
"Very nice solder station. Heats up very quickly and holds the preset temperature accurately." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the sleep mode of the soldering station. Some like the automatic sleep function, saying it's a nice thought and good for preserving tip life. However, others say that the sleep function will kick in and you do have to be aware of that. Some customers mention that the default sleep mode is set too low and annoying.
"...Maybe I'll mod it. lol Second, I wish it had a sleep mode where it ramps the power down after a set amount of time. The Hakko FX951 has this feature...." Read more
"...Very stable temperature, and you can set the sleep mode to different times for safety..." Read more
"...the top of the iron handle itself: these irons have no switch, no sleep mode, no temperature setting, just plug in to use and unplug when you're done..." Read more
"...A knob would have been better.The automatic sleep function is a nice thought (reduces temp to 350), but once it enters sleep it cannot sense..." Read more
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So about a year and a half ago, the handle on the original iron basically came fell apart due to excessive lateral pressure applied by me which added stress to the center point on the iron causing it to eventually come apart and it was no longer useful. Since I was far outside the warranty period, the cheapest replacement I could find was $55 plus shipping so I bought one. However, after about a year with that one, it started doing the same thing, so I thought, maybe I should just try and email Weller and talk to them about it ... maybe they have an idea of what the issue is ... I had ZERO expectations but it's their design so who better to talk to about it than them?
I emailed support and explained the issue ... told them that I already bought one replacement and now it's going to fall apart very soon and could they recommend something to help me avoid the problem or perhaps they sell an iron for this station that is more industrial quality?
The email response I got was COMPLETELY unexpected. They told me straight out that the first design of the iron had a flaw in it and it expressed the exact problem I was having. They asked for my address and within a week, they didn't just send me one replacement, they sent me TWO brand new irons. One for the original that broke and one for the replacement I purchased that was about to break. And they didn't ask me for proof of purchase, or any evidence that I bought a replacement last year ... they just said, "give us your address, we'll take care of it!"
I don't even have words to describe customer service like that. I didn't think it even existed anymore on this planet. But man this company totally has their customers back ... whether you're buying a $125 station or a $10,000 industrial work horse, they simply have your back and it's been THREE years now and I still love this station. There isn't another station out there that I would remotely consider using. It works as good today as it did the first day I got it, and I use it at least 3 to 5 times a week consistently.
***** End update *****
The only thing I don’t like about this unit that I consider inconsequential to its performance is that I would love a backlit display.
I recently tried two units before this one. The ERSA RDS 80 and an Aoyue 9378 Pro. There is no comparison, the Weller is by far a higher quality product. It heats faster than the other units I tried, and it maintains steady heat with seemingly no loss/recovery time.
The wand chord has a very "silky" smooth feel to it, is VERY light, and very flexible... when using the iron, I noticed that I couldn't even tell I was attached to a wire ... where with the other units, I found myself always fighting for freedom because the chords were almost like a chain on the wand... the Weller isn't like that at all ... a very nice touch!
I was initially concerned about the wand holder. In the picture, it looks like a typical cheap stand, but I was very surprised when I held the base of the stand. It is very heavy and very solid. The spring is made of a VERY rigid metal that once installed in the base, it transforms into a TANK. At the wand end of the spring, there is heat resistant plastic that is molded to the shape of the wand so that the wand fits perfectly and STABLELY in the stand. The sponge is vary large (wide in both directions) which allows for more travel distance when wiping the tip across the sponge. So if you’re thinking that they did not put much thought into the wand holder, trust me, they obviously put A LOT of consideration into it’s design and although I don’t like the aesthetics of it, I could not be happier with its functionality. The stand will outlive the entire unit I have no doubts about it.
I bought the ERSA RDS 80 two weeks ago, which is arguably an equivalent station in this class. Then I saw this unit and it is the only Weller brand in this class at this price and is obviously the first time Weller has broken into this market ... it was a no-brainer for me to send back the ERSA and buy the Weller... my main reason for doing so, is because the ERSA tips are hard to find and extremely expensive. Weller tips can be found easily and for less than $10 (ersa tips are over $30 normally). Also, the ERSA unit did not have a sensor in the wand and did not have a timer for automatic cooldown like this unit does. With the ERSA, you have to manually put the unit into standby mode, which doesn’t work for me because I forget... having the unit automatically cool down is a must for me. The Weller does automatic cool down.
This unit also shows you simultaneously your chosen temp and the actual temp in the same display at all times... a nice touch!
As far as all the complaints about the instructions ... The first few pages explain all of the menus and settings ... and if you find yourself struggling with operating simple electronics, perhaps you shouldn't be buying one of these in the first place... just sayin ...
Let’s face it, it’s a Weller ... marginally more expensive than its competitor but the extra cost is well worth it.
******* UPDATE ********
I've been using this unit for over six months now and I go through spurts where some weeks I'll have it on every day for a few hours and other weeks I wont use it at all ... but I would say that I have several hundred hours on this station by now, and it continues to perform like the day I bought it. I still get giddy when I flip the switch and its ready to go long before I am ... In fact, I'm starting to get into the habit of turning it off when I know I will be setting up my next weld and its going to take me a few minutes... since it heats up so quickly, I don't need to leave it on all the time.
You can tell when a piece of equipment has been designed by people who actually use the equipment ... like an Apple product ... the whole experience of using this soldering station .... it's like .... having a tool that totally has your back ... it's a tank!
Without question this is the best iron I've ever owned.
***** 2 years and 4 months into ownership *****
AND THIS IS WHY WE BUY Weller!
The very first soldering station I ever owned was a Chinese knock off of some kind that was $80 and it literally broke after only four months.
Not only have I had this Weller for over two years, but I also designed and installed a custom auto-shutoff circuit that uses a small Arduino and a relay to completely cut power to the unit after a length of time because I've left it on for several days more than once. It does do its own temperature drop based on the timeout that I set in the unit, but still, 4 days at 120 degrees is still a lot of electricity so I needed a more foolproof way to make sure that I'm covered if I forget again.
But throughout the process of designing the circuit, I had this thing apart several times. I blew the fuse once but found a pack of replacements for like $6 on Amazon, and next, I'm going to see about installing a backlight behind the display to make this the most functional unit it can possibly be.
The construction of the unit is absolutely solid. I did break the wand because I was pulling too tightly on the cord and it stretched and got disconnected from the element inside and there's no possible way to fix that. But I found a replacement wand for about $40. Amazon did not have them at the time.
The beauty in Weller products is that they are designed for longevity. Their circuits are engineered - I'm guessing - beyond the standard 10% margin rule, and the construction of the circuit and the components they use along with the button types and connector types ... are simply high quality. The Transformer is solid... this thing will probably outlive me... lol.
I'll post info on the timing circuit I installed when I get some time ... no pun intended :-)
*** Final Update September 20, 2021
I graduated to a Weller WT-1 Workstation complete with auto shutoff, backlit display, and it's up to temp in less than 13 seconds. I found one on eBay for $155 brand new and could not pass it up. I was, however, willing to pay over $300 for it and I would today if I still needed one because the WT-1 is in a completely different class in terms of performance and features.
The WE1010 served me WELL and I would say that the German engineering that was invested into this unit was every bit what you would expect it to be. I modified the heck out of this station, adding my own Arduino circuit to cut power after 45 minutes, and even adding some LEDs to light the display which was not so successful ... but after having taken this thing apart more times than I can count, it remains in top working condition like nothing ever happened.
It's a Weller WE1010 70W Solder Station. It comes with the WEP70 pencil iron and uses the rather common ETA type tips.
Firstly, the unit is designed and engineering Germany. However, it was built in Mexico. I have to give Weller some credit, at least they didn't ship it from overseas. I did open it up, and the build quality is the same as my WES51. The unit is distributed in North America as the Apex Tool Group, in Apex, NC.
Being that it uses the ETA tips, there are tons of custom aftermarket tips out there, especially for SMT and THT soldering rework.
I've had a Weller WES51 for well over a decade, and wanted to upgrade to a digital interface. I could've went to the WESD51, but it's the same one I got, just digital.
It was either Weller WE1010 or a Hakko FX888 or a FX951. I didn't like the Hakko, only because it seemed rather cheap. Even though it's got great reviews, something about it, I didn't like. Then the FX951's tips were stupid expensive.
Then I had the problem: Oh my, I got a boat load of ETA tips. Hmm... well, the WE1010 it is. No brainer in my case. If I didn't have the WES51, I would have probably went to the FX951. Who knows... the tip availability is what curved me to stay with the Weller. I always had good luck finding a certain tip. Hence, why I got so many tips on hand.
Anyhow, I've been using it almost every day. It heats up to 700F in less than 20 seconds, meaning I don't need to worry about running my iron excessively, has customization for auto power off, security password, and 3 presets. Which is awesome if you are working with different grades of solder (lead/no lead/silver bearing, etc). It is also ESD safe (when properly grounded). It also has a temperature calibration option as well. I tested the tip temperature, and it was only ~2F off. Which for me, is perfectly fine right out of the box.
I am quite impressed with it. Since using it, I don't know how I did it with my old setup. It is very nice having the fine tuned control of the digital interface. It also has much better temperature control when doing large flow jobs or high speed repetitive tasks. Now mind you, after getting familiar with soldering for years and years, those numbers really don't mean much because you typically do it by feel and experience. However, it is very good to know what the temperature is. I know on my WES51, I always wanted to know about exactly what my tip temp was. I know the dial has it, but it was hard to tell.
For example, I get a block of 100 THT LEDs on a PCB, and that is 200 solder joints. I can go from next to next to next, without worrying about a bad solder joint or needing to slow down for my iron to keep up. If I went too fast with my WES51, I'd have to wait 20-30 seconds for the tip temp to stabilize, between sets of 8-12 joints. Now mind you, the WES51 is only 50W, and the WE1010 is 70W. So it has the ability to keep a stable tip temperature. This sucker I can go as fast as my hands will allow and no messing around. It even shows when the heating element is active on the LCD, which is awesome!
The WEP70 iron is very comfortable in the hands. The burn-resistant silicon cable is barely noticeable, and has good burn resistance (first thing I tried). One of the biggest complaints I had with the PES51 iron on the WES51, was the fact the grip wasn't comfortable after hours of use. The material they used (kind of like a foam) was irritating at best after a few hours. The WEP70 iron on the WE1010 is a somewhat squishy silicon. It feels very nice in the hand, and is almost like a writing instrument style. Has a curve to it and just has a much nicer feeling. Once picking it up, it feels like an extension to my body, giving me precise control. I really like the feeling of it, much more of a refined iron to the PES51. Removing the tips is the same as the PES51. However, the screw on the WEP70 is a larger plastic screw. It does make it easier to remove, but when I first saw it, I was kind of surprised. But it does make it a lot easier to swap tips, being it is bigger.
One thing to note, like all pencil soldering stations, this isn't really meant for chassis work. I recommend a high powered soldering gun using some copper wire as the element and lots of flux. The Weller WE1010 is great at THT/SMT soldering.
Now to the only things I don't like about it. For one, the fact the LCD isn't backlighted. It would've been a nice touch for it to be blue or white backlighted. Maybe I'll mod it. lol Second, I wish it had a sleep mode where it ramps the power down after a set amount of time. The Hakko FX951 has this feature. The last thing I don't like about it, is the fact that it doesn't have a rotary knob for temperature control. It has up/down buttons for temperature control. However, Weller did do a good job at controlling the way those up/down buttons work. If you press and hold, the increments goes fast. If you stop and press the button one at a time, it is fine-tuned control. The first time I did it, I got the iron all the way at it's max temp in like 3 seconds. After playing with it, I learned how sensitive it is. At least it isn't slow.
Otherwise, it's a very neat unit, and if you are a serious EE major, enthusiast or do production grade PCB assembly or rework, I highly recommend the Weller WE1010. It is also a very professional looking unit too. Compared to the clown-colored Hakko. Not sure why Hakko went with that color scheme.
I still have my WES51, and plan on keeping that as a backup unit, in case this one ever gives trouble, or I need to run 2 irons (never had the need to, but you never know!). I also have a Weller WLC100 out in my garage/shop, which is a great beginners/light duty iron.
Some tech tips: I recommend using a brass type tip cleaner, versus a water-sponge. The tips will last a lot longer. The reason I don't recommend the water-sponge method is that the rapid temperature change can pit the tips, making them harder to properly wet with solder. Avoid using lead-free solder -- you will get much better joints with 60/40 or 63/37 with RMA. For SMT, use RMA solder with plenty of RA liquid or paste, and of course watch your dwell time. Lastly, keep your tip well-tinned after use. When you are done with your iron for the day, clean the tip well in your brass sponge, and then load the tip up with fresh solder then turn your iron off. This will seal the tip and help keep it from oxidizing while sitting on the bench.
Overall, the Weller WE1010 is a phenomenal unit and would highly recommend it.
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2018
It's a Weller WE1010 70W Solder Station. It comes with the WEP70 pencil iron and uses the rather common ETA type tips.
Firstly, the unit is designed and engineering Germany. However, it was built in Mexico. I have to give Weller some credit, at least they didn't ship it from overseas. I did open it up, and the build quality is the same as my WES51. The unit is distributed in North America as the Apex Tool Group, in Apex, NC.
Being that it uses the ETA tips, there are tons of custom aftermarket tips out there, especially for SMT and THT soldering rework.
I've had a Weller WES51 for well over a decade, and wanted to upgrade to a digital interface. I could've went to the WESD51, but it's the same one I got, just digital.
It was either Weller WE1010 or a Hakko FX888 or a FX951. I didn't like the Hakko, only because it seemed rather cheap. Even though it's got great reviews, something about it, I didn't like. Then the FX951's tips were stupid expensive.
Then I had the problem: Oh my, I got a boat load of ETA tips. Hmm... well, the WE1010 it is. No brainer in my case. If I didn't have the WES51, I would have probably went to the FX951. Who knows... the tip availability is what curved me to stay with the Weller. I always had good luck finding a certain tip. Hence, why I got so many tips on hand.
Anyhow, I've been using it almost every day. It heats up to 700F in less than 20 seconds, meaning I don't need to worry about running my iron excessively, has customization for auto power off, security password, and 3 presets. Which is awesome if you are working with different grades of solder (lead/no lead/silver bearing, etc). It is also ESD safe (when properly grounded). It also has a temperature calibration option as well. I tested the tip temperature, and it was only ~2F off. Which for me, is perfectly fine right out of the box.
I am quite impressed with it. Since using it, I don't know how I did it with my old setup. It is very nice having the fine tuned control of the digital interface. It also has much better temperature control when doing large flow jobs or high speed repetitive tasks. Now mind you, after getting familiar with soldering for years and years, those numbers really don't mean much because you typically do it by feel and experience. However, it is very good to know what the temperature is. I know on my WES51, I always wanted to know about exactly what my tip temp was. I know the dial has it, but it was hard to tell.
For example, I get a block of 100 THT LEDs on a PCB, and that is 200 solder joints. I can go from next to next to next, without worrying about a bad solder joint or needing to slow down for my iron to keep up. If I went too fast with my WES51, I'd have to wait 20-30 seconds for the tip temp to stabilize, between sets of 8-12 joints. Now mind you, the WES51 is only 50W, and the WE1010 is 70W. So it has the ability to keep a stable tip temperature. This sucker I can go as fast as my hands will allow and no messing around. It even shows when the heating element is active on the LCD, which is awesome!
The WEP70 iron is very comfortable in the hands. The burn-resistant silicon cable is barely noticeable, and has good burn resistance (first thing I tried). One of the biggest complaints I had with the PES51 iron on the WES51, was the fact the grip wasn't comfortable after hours of use. The material they used (kind of like a foam) was irritating at best after a few hours. The WEP70 iron on the WE1010 is a somewhat squishy silicon. It feels very nice in the hand, and is almost like a writing instrument style. Has a curve to it and just has a much nicer feeling. Once picking it up, it feels like an extension to my body, giving me precise control. I really like the feeling of it, much more of a refined iron to the PES51. Removing the tips is the same as the PES51. However, the screw on the WEP70 is a larger plastic screw. It does make it easier to remove, but when I first saw it, I was kind of surprised. But it does make it a lot easier to swap tips, being it is bigger.
One thing to note, like all pencil soldering stations, this isn't really meant for chassis work. I recommend a high powered soldering gun using some copper wire as the element and lots of flux. The Weller WE1010 is great at THT/SMT soldering.
Now to the only things I don't like about it. For one, the fact the LCD isn't backlighted. It would've been a nice touch for it to be blue or white backlighted. Maybe I'll mod it. lol Second, I wish it had a sleep mode where it ramps the power down after a set amount of time. The Hakko FX951 has this feature. The last thing I don't like about it, is the fact that it doesn't have a rotary knob for temperature control. It has up/down buttons for temperature control. However, Weller did do a good job at controlling the way those up/down buttons work. If you press and hold, the increments goes fast. If you stop and press the button one at a time, it is fine-tuned control. The first time I did it, I got the iron all the way at it's max temp in like 3 seconds. After playing with it, I learned how sensitive it is. At least it isn't slow.
Otherwise, it's a very neat unit, and if you are a serious EE major, enthusiast or do production grade PCB assembly or rework, I highly recommend the Weller WE1010. It is also a very professional looking unit too. Compared to the clown-colored Hakko. Not sure why Hakko went with that color scheme.
I still have my WES51, and plan on keeping that as a backup unit, in case this one ever gives trouble, or I need to run 2 irons (never had the need to, but you never know!). I also have a Weller WLC100 out in my garage/shop, which is a great beginners/light duty iron.
Some tech tips: I recommend using a brass type tip cleaner, versus a water-sponge. The tips will last a lot longer. The reason I don't recommend the water-sponge method is that the rapid temperature change can pit the tips, making them harder to properly wet with solder. Avoid using lead-free solder -- you will get much better joints with 60/40 or 63/37 with RMA. For SMT, use RMA solder with plenty of RA liquid or paste, and of course watch your dwell time. Lastly, keep your tip well-tinned after use. When you are done with your iron for the day, clean the tip well in your brass sponge, and then load the tip up with fresh solder then turn your iron off. This will seal the tip and help keep it from oxidizing while sitting on the bench.
Overall, the Weller WE1010 is a phenomenal unit and would highly recommend it.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Canada on May 14, 2024
Reviewed in Mexico on May 5, 2024