x88x
08-24-2010, 12:33 AM
So, I was at Microcenter today, and as I was wandering around looking at the cases, and I happened to remember that I needed a new soldering iron (I may have accidentally ripped the heating element out of my old one.. :whistler: ). ...so I turned around and started looking at the soldering irons instead. :P I love Microcenter. :D
Anyways, so, I was looking at a Weller WES51 (http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103191311), thinking something along the lines of "Well yeah, it looks quite nice, but I really don't want to spend that much right now ($130)...what with saving every penny for a downpayment/closing costs...though I will get three paychecks next month and that'll help...anyways, where was I? Oh yes, soldering irons.." ..yeah... Anywhoo, long story short, I looked around a bit, trying to convince myself one way or the other, when I saw something interesting. It was a Velleman VTSS5U (http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=522806). Now, I've never heard of Velleman, so I was a little suspicion of the quality, but it was only $20 and looked to have a similar feature set to the WES51, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
So, here we go, the Velleman VTSS5U.
Obligatory unboxing shots:
The box:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_00.jpg
And the stuff inside:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_01.jpg
And finally, the assembled product:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_02.jpg
Fortunately, despite the picture on the box it did end up being a US-style plug, which is fortunate as I seem to have misplaced my adapter. ...no seriously, I have one around here somewhere...
I haven't really used it yet, just tinned the tip, but so far it is definitely not quite the quality level of a Weller (as expected), but it's much better than the crappy Radio Shack things I've been using up till now.
Some quick stats:
50W
175-480C
analog temperature control
interchangeable bits
The tip has a nice fine point, but solid fine not fragile fine. Here it is compared to my old 45W Radio Shack iron:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_03.jpg
So, as far as I can tell at this point, it looks to be well worth the money. Not as nice as the WES51, most likely, but for $110 cheaper, unless you really need professional quality, I think this'll do. ...especially since it's not much more than my old 15/30W Radio Shack iron.
Anyways, so, I was looking at a Weller WES51 (http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103191311), thinking something along the lines of "Well yeah, it looks quite nice, but I really don't want to spend that much right now ($130)...what with saving every penny for a downpayment/closing costs...though I will get three paychecks next month and that'll help...anyways, where was I? Oh yes, soldering irons.." ..yeah... Anywhoo, long story short, I looked around a bit, trying to convince myself one way or the other, when I saw something interesting. It was a Velleman VTSS5U (http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=522806). Now, I've never heard of Velleman, so I was a little suspicion of the quality, but it was only $20 and looked to have a similar feature set to the WES51, so I figured I'd give it a shot.
So, here we go, the Velleman VTSS5U.
Obligatory unboxing shots:
The box:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_00.jpg
And the stuff inside:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_01.jpg
And finally, the assembled product:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_02.jpg
Fortunately, despite the picture on the box it did end up being a US-style plug, which is fortunate as I seem to have misplaced my adapter. ...no seriously, I have one around here somewhere...
I haven't really used it yet, just tinned the tip, but so far it is definitely not quite the quality level of a Weller (as expected), but it's much better than the crappy Radio Shack things I've been using up till now.
Some quick stats:
50W
175-480C
analog temperature control
interchangeable bits
The tip has a nice fine point, but solid fine not fragile fine. Here it is compared to my old 45W Radio Shack iron:
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/velleman_03.jpg
So, as far as I can tell at this point, it looks to be well worth the money. Not as nice as the WES51, most likely, but for $110 cheaper, unless you really need professional quality, I think this'll do. ...especially since it's not much more than my old 15/30W Radio Shack iron.