My good old Weller that I've been using since the mid 80's started heating up the other day, then just up and died.
Up and died.
A new one is $200 so forget that, there's cheaper brands I could buy to replace it but I'd rather fix it.
I have a bunch of tips and sponges for this Weller and I trust that if it can be fixed it will work for another 30 years so I began taking it apart.
I could get a new heating element, $31, but there is also a sensor/switch in there and that could be the problem, it's $71.
The only other option to fix this WTCP is to buy a new pencil, tip, heater, switch, handle and that's $99.
I'm leaning towards getting the whole pencil assembly because I believe that will definitely work without it being my project for the next month.
So does any one have any experience fixing one of these irons? Will a new iron be compatible with a 30...35 year old base?
Is there a way to measure for sure whether the switch or the heater is bad?