John’s overall rating: 3.5/5
Build Quality: 4/5
Comfort: 3/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
As a weller soldering iron aimed at the budget conscious home user the Weller WLC100 Soldering Station for Hobbyist and Do-It-Yourselfer is a respectable piece of equipment that will do most jobs you need it for without blowing you away or breaking the bank. This soldering iron’s variable control lets you adjust the power level from 5 to 40 W and is backed by the quality of Weller tools as well as their strong manufacturers warranty. The WLC100 is well made and in my opinion would be a great entry level soldering iron if you are wanting to get away from the cheapy all-in-one units.
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Product Features:
- The Weller WLC100 is a complete soldering station package with a lightweight soldering pencil, stand and base unit with variable power control.
- Light weight pencil that comes inclusive of a copper tip, iron plated.
- Easy to use power control – use the knob on the base unit to set the power anywhere from five to forty watts.
- Light-up on/off switch ensures you dont accidentally leave the unit on without realizing
- This soldering station comes complete with a stand and soldering sponge to make it easy to maintain, clean and keep in good condition.
Pros/Cons:
After using the Weller WES51 for so long the step down in quality and features was apparent after trying out the WLC 100. If this is your first soldering station you will no doubt be very happy with the WLC100 as it is about $50 cheaper however at that price you sacrifice some important things. Firstly, the temperature control is not as precise (the WES51 has a temperature sensor at the tip) and it takes a bit longer to heat up than the WES51. The grip is also slightly less comfortable.
On the plus side the WLC100 is a massive improvement if you have been using a standard $10 soldering iron. The temperature control is very useful and the cushioned grip is nice and soft – if you are tired of your hands cramping while using a cheap plastic iron then you will love the custom soft grip on the WLC100. The WLC100 is also very nicely built, it seems to be solid and feels like a well-crafted tool.
What other people are saying about the Weller WLC100 soldering station:
K. Keller writes: “This is a great product, Weller makes the best soldering stations, I use it all the time and have no complaints about its quality. I always wanted a solder station with a temp control for the iron and although this is hobby grade its works Great for the price. I do recommend buying a assortment of soldering tips for it, the one it comes with is rather large for intricate soldering but good for melting stuff together when needed.” Full review here.
Austin S. says “This Weller station is a step up from a stand alone iron. The price is right and it has lasted several years so far without fail. I use mine for making speaker crossovers and small amplifiers, and it is perfect. The tips last longer than the bargain brands I had used in the past. If you are on a budget, this is the soldering station for you!” You can see Austin’s comments here.
John’s Conclusion:
Weller make great soldering stations, this one will not be replacing the WES51 as my soldering iron of choice but it represents great value for the casual home hobbyist who is looking for more control and more comfort than their cheapy $10 soldering iron. Anyone upgrading from a basic soldering iron will not be disappointed, but if you have the extra money to spare you wont regret spending a bit more on the WES51.
