Weller Solder Station in BKK?

[OliverKlozerof 98]

Anyone know if I can buy a Weller soldering station like this in Bangkok (but 220v version)? (I know there are similar things around town in Ban Mo, Pantip, Fortune Town, but I'd like Weller.)

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC

 

 

[Crossy 16,575]

RS can supply, but the prices may frighten!

 

http://th.rs-online.com/web/c/tools/soldering-desoldering-tools/soldering-stations/?searchTerm=weller

 

I brought my WTCP 51 from the UK, still going strong, Weller are simply the best.

 

[maxpower 1,509]

Weller have a pro product outlet here and like already mentioned RS Components. I dont know of anyone who stocks the budget range of products. 

If you are not in a hurry consider a Hakko copy as they not too bad for hobby use.  

[OliverKlozerof 98]

59 minutes ago, maxpower said:

If you are not in a hurry consider a Hakko copy as they not too bad for hobby use.  

Could you point me to one of these online? Thx

[OliverKlozerof 98]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

RS can supply, but the prices may frighten!

 

http://th.rs-online.com/web/c/tools/soldering-desoldering-tools/soldering-stations/?searchTerm=weller

 

I brought my WTCP 51 from the UK, still going strong, Weller are simply the best.

 

I'd buy the Amazon one, except it's 120v for USA. Hmm...maybe Amazon UK would have it in 220v version?

[OliverKlozerof 98]

3 minutes ago, OliverKlozerof said:

I'd buy the Amazon one, except it's 120v for USA. Hmm...maybe Amazon UK would have it in 220v version?

Perhaps closest to the US version...but seller doesn't ship to Thailand :-(
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weller-T0056806399N-Temperature-Controlled-Soldering/dp/B0001P17EW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510313880&sr=8-2&keywords=weller+soldering+station

 

[impulse 16,081]

Moving and changing countries like I do, I've probably owned 50 different soldering guns, irons and sticks and never had one that failed while I owned it (except a Weller that I dropped from height).  In the USA, I owned Wellers.  Since moving to Asia, I buy the local brands for 1/4 to 1/8 the price and haven't had one fail me yet.  (Edit:  On an aside, I looked in China for a Weller, couldn't find one, settled for a local brand- and haven't looked back in 17 years)

 

My suggestion:  Go to Lazada.com (Click on the "shipped from Thailand" option) if you want one shipped from Thailand, or AliExpress.com if you can wait for delivery from China.  Save 75%.  If you burn one up, then go to the Wellers.  I'm betting you'll never have to. 

 

It's not like a soldering iron and a rheostat are rocket science...  And chicks aren't impressed by any of them.

 

Edited November 10, 2017 by impulse

[OliverKlozerof 98]

3 hours ago, impulse said:

Since moving to Asia, I buy the local brands for 1/4 to 1/8 the price and haven't had one fail me yet.  (Edit:  On an aside, I looked in China for a Weller, couldn't find one, settled for a local brand- and haven't looked back in 17 years)

 

My suggestion:  Go to Lazada.com (Click on the "shipped from Thailand" option) if you want one shipped from Thailand, or AliExpress.com if you can wait for delivery from China.  Save 75%.  If you burn one up, then go to the Wellers.  I'm betting you'll never have to. 

 

It's not like a soldering iron and a rheostat are rocket science...  And chicks aren't impressed by any of them.

I definitely appreciate the spirit of what you're saying, which I take to be, 'Why pay more when you can get a cheaper model that works just as well.'
Some background:
I've been a guitar player all my life. I've done a little soldering over the years (cable jacks, a 'snake' to front of house PA console...). I just ordered a tube amp kit from the US, which I will hopefully receive in a couple weeks. I've never soldered at this level before. (Inside the chassis it's quite tight and I need to work with precision.) On the amp forums, the entry level Weller soldering station was highly recommended. I currently have a pistol-shaped Mitsumi (probably got it in Fortune Town some years ago?). All the ones the amp guys use are 'pencil' type. I can definitely see where the spiral 'holster' for the pencil iron will be necessary. And being able to turn the heat up (for, for example, soldering to the back of a potentiometer), would also be needed.
My pistol-shaped Mitsumi may actually do the job, but since I need some other tools (the 'holster,' sponge, die cutters, hemostat, etc.), I may as well get one I *know* will do the job well. Everyone who's been here a few years has heard the expression, 'TIT' (This Is Thailand). Though I could well be wrong, it certainly seems possible I could just go to Ban Mo and pick up something that looks similar to the basic Weller station and it might be fine.  But, after looking at one a friend offered me for free (a "Proskit' brand), everything about it looks cheap (for example, the iron itself is very thin; the insulator that keeps the heat off your fingers looks inadequate).
So, though I don't want to spend more than necessary, I want to 'get it right the first time' with a time tested brand. After this first amp kit, my plan is to continue building tube amps. I want a tool that doesn't merely melt solder, but which is a pleasure to use. But right, I could care less if chicks dig it. ;-)
 

Edited November 10, 2017 by OliverKlozerof

[impulse 16,081]

15 minutes ago, OliverKlozerof said:

I definitely appreciate the spirit of what you're saying, which I take to be, 'Why pay more when you can get a cheaper model that works just as well.'
Some background:
.......

 

And I understand the brand loyalty, but I spent 10 years sourcing industrial and other goodies in China, visiting hundreds of factories in the process, virtually living at some for months at a time.

 

Without going into great detail, I no longer shop brands.  I shop build quality.  I've seen too many factories put out the same goods in the morning with one label on them, then putting out the same goods in the afternoon with a different label for a market that's 1/2 the price.  Sure, you can find junk from China.  But if you look a little harder you can also find high quality stuff- and many times cheaper and easier than the name brands- especially in Thailand.

 

And too many western companies have absolutely thrashed their brands by selling several price points, with the lower price point items being absolute junk.  Stanley, Black and Decker, Shimano (and many others) come to mind.  Their brand names used to be a guaranty of quality.  No longer.

 

I don't know Weller's story, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out they have their stuff built in the same factories.  Some do it because they have to, in order to stay competitive.  Others do it because they can sell a cheaply sourced product at a premium price because of a legacy reputation.

 

It's your money, so spend it the way you want.  I do.  

 

Edited November 10, 2017 by impulse

[Crossy 16,575]

Unless you're going to give it a pro hammering I would agree with Impulse, there is some very good "amateur" kit that will do the job well and will certainly be up to building your kit and any other domestic jobs in hand.

 

My traveling box has a simple Hakko Presto dual heat iron which came from NPE, simple and effective (and lighter to lug around then the Weller). NPE also have stands, sponges and the small tools you'll need at sensible prices.

 

Worth a trip to Zeer Rangsit or Old Siam Plaza for some tool therapy.

Edited November 11, 2017 by Crossy
Fixed the spelling of Hakko

[longball53098 215]

13 hours ago, OliverKlozerof said:

Could you point me to one of these online? Thx

Hakko Products Thailand

 

https://srt.co.th/hakko_product.php?mainid=1&subidlv1=1

[OliverKlozerof 98]

I have the same one as you, but branded 'Mitsumi.' Mine goes from 20w to 200w. So maybe I'll stick with it for now, or maybe when I run off to gather other stuff I'll find a good deal on a whole station.  Online one guy recommended a Hakko (936?) station clone that uses all same parts. May look for one of those. 

https://srt.co.th/page/HAKKO/detail_h980-985.php?name=H981F-V22 (220V/20W-130W)&type=หัวแร้งบัดกรีแช่&id=SDk4MUYtVjIy

[OliverKlozerof 98]

I've stuck my Mitsumi Hakko clone and it seems to be OK for now. I bought a bunch of other tools and stuff in Ban Mo the other day. Of course there were a few things I missed, so yesterday went to Fortune Town to get a heat gun, shrink tubing, nut driver kit. Couple things I couldn't find at FT: 1) speaker wire terminals (for guitar speaker; see pic), 2) extra wire (for tube amp building), 3) flux cleaner (not essential, but would like to have), 4) wire nuts

Anyone know if some shop in Pantip Plaza may have items like these? Or some other shop on Sukhumvit side of town? Or, must I venture back over to Ban Mo for these?

Thx.

[OliverKlozerof 98]

'Nuther thing. I googled and it says voltage in Thailand is 220v. But just checked my outlet with a meter and is reads 230v. Do you know which is right?

[Jdietz 1,116]

Specs are 220 +/- 10% so nothing to worry about. Most countries are switching to 240V which also doesn't matter much for existing '220V' equipment, it should handle it fine.