Sad situation (tool search)

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GAHorn
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Sad situation (tool search)

Post by GAHorn »

I have misplaced my Weller Soldering Gun. I had cracked its case when I dropped it anyway, and wouldn't mind a new one. So I looked for one in the local big-box store.

All they had was a "universal" model...suitable as a toy tool. I wanted a professional model, like the Weller D550 or D650... 200 watts or better.

No one has them. Everyone says they'll order one for me, but when I "OK" that... in fact they cannot complete the order. Usually they can't figure out how to locate the distributor chain-of-delivery for the product.

I've tried Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hdwr, Radio Shack, Northern Tool, ... Went to the Weller website, located the tool, but they have no method of ordering from them. I wrote their "customer service" department, using their website "contact us" option and told them I was disappointed in their lack of info on where I could drive to , walk in and put my hands on their product, pay for it, and take it home.

I got a speedy reply from Debbie Crizer who gave the the names of 3 companies within 50 miles who will sell me the tool. Names only. No contact info, or telephone numbers.... just the names and cities where they are located.

I did a Google search and found their contact info, and called them.
Do you suppose Debbie's info was any good?

Nope. One company does not handle the product at all. (They are a waste-chemical company.) Another is a wholesaler only....will not sell retail, and had no idea where I could buy retail. The third does not actually have the product, ...but will take my money and ship one to me.... 3-6 week wait. Plus shipping.

The cheap chinese tool company has a "similar" product. I bought one, plugged it in, and the heating element instantly went incandescent and the transformer within the handle let the smoke escape from it. (Electric devices do not work well without their smoke. Once the smoke is let out.... you can forggitaboutit. Try it sometime.)

I took it back and got a replacement. It heated up it's element/tip (which is chrome plated and therefore will not "tin" ... or accept solder at all. It will only melt solder and let it drip off onto the floor. The tip is too small and will not transfer heat to the item to be soldered. Allowing additional time to heat the item (a simple pair of 10 ga. twisted wires) resulted in the smoke being let out of the tool again.

(I took it back and got my money back, at least.)

I tried to order it online. Add 15-30% for shipping...AND pay full mfr's recommended prices. :evil:

No wonder things are going to H____ in a handbasket.

What a sad state of affairs.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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4583C
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Post by 4583C »

George
If your up north you can probably find what your looking for at Fry's. The only one I am familar with is in Arlington south of I20. I'd just about rather take a beating than go there but they do have an excellent selection of soldering tools as well as any kind of electronic parts and pieces you could want.
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mike roe
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weller soldering gun

Post by mike roe »

George
I am not sure because I dont use them.But I have heard about a on line auction site.I bet they might have what you are looking for.IMHO
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GAHorn
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Post by GAHorn »

4583C wrote:George
If your up north you can probably find what your looking for at Fry's. The only one I am familar with is in Arlington south of I20. I'd just about rather take a beating than go there but they do have an excellent selection of soldering tools as well as any kind of electronic parts and pieces you could want.
They handle only soldering pencils and other low wattage tools. (25-50 watts.) No guns.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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GAHorn
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Re: weller soldering gun

Post by GAHorn »

mike roe wrote:George
I am not sure because I dont use them.But I have heard about a on line auction site.I bet they might have what you are looking for.IMHO
That's another opportunity to mail-order from unknowns, pay shipping, and wait. (And hope you get what you thought you were getting, without the risk of the wrong item then having to hassle with returns with more shipping.) I wanted to walk into a retail outlet and pick it up and walk out with it. :(

The item to be soldered is in my presence. I'd like to simply buy the tool and solder it, all in one day. :?

Now I must go to work. An entire morning wasted looking for what should have been a simple purchase.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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GAHorn
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Re: weller soldering gun

Post by GAHorn »

mike roe wrote:George
I am not sure because I dont use them.But I have heard about a on line auction site.I bet they might have what you are looking for.IMHO
OK, I found it. The auction goes on for 6 days. So I'd have to wait at least 6 days to buy it, then 4 days to ship it, ... and the starting price is more than the suggested retail price (if there was such a thing as a retail place to buy.) God only knows what it'd actually sell/ship for. :evil:


(I'm telling you... there's a train-wreck coming.)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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Robert Eilers
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Post by Robert Eilers »

George,

Try http://www.northerntool.com shipping is usually free.
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GAHorn
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Post by GAHorn »

Robert Eilers wrote:George,

Try http://www.northerntool.com shipping is usually free.
Northern Tool does not handle "Weller" soldering guns. They only sell cheap chinese junk. (I'd already tried them.)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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steve grewing
Posts: 82
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2004 2:44 pm

Weller

Post by steve grewing »

George, If anyone in Dallas has one it's :

Elliot's Hardware
4901 Maple, at Motor Street
(214) 634-9900
Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm
Sat, 9am-5pm
Closed Sunday

http://www.elliottshardware.com/

It was too late to call 'em when I signed on tonight, or I would have verified it first.

Steve
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flyguy
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Post by flyguy »

WHY WOODJU WANT TO BUY A SODER GUN WITH A CRAK CASE EENYWAY?

FER PURTY GUD MUNY IMA SELL U A COUPLE WITH CRAK CASEES.
OLE GAR SEZ - 4 Boats, 4 Planes, 4 houses. I've got to quit collecting!
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N2255D
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Post by N2255D »

George try http://www.grainger.com/ they have about 40 stores through Texas. 3 in Dallas and about 6 in Houston alone. You can look up the closest location on their site. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/ca ... tPage=2714
Walt Weaver
Spencer Airport (NC35)
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170C
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Soldering Gun

Post by 170C »

George, if Grainger has what you need, there is a store on Division Street, just West of 360 there in Arlington. Also you might ck some of the aircraft tool catalogues. The one up at Hicks Field might have something. I have a catalogue or two, but I'm in Lubbock so can't ck them until the weekend. If you need me to ck, let me know.

Frank
OLE POKEY
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GAHorn
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Post by GAHorn »

That's a pretty good "hit", Walt. I didn't think of Grainger.

Checking their online catalog, they sell the "toy" (Weller "Universal" 140 watt) at the price of the medium-grade tool ($59) and sell the medium-grade (Weller D550, 260-watt) tool at the premium/professional tool price ($75),... but at least they have it in their listing. It is unknown if it is in-stock or must be shipped.

Unfortunately they do not even offer the professional-grade tool I want. (Weller D650, 300 watt soldering gun.)

I have found an electrical-supply wharehouse in Ft. Worth who will sell the D550/260 watt unit to a walk-up customer at their "will call" window, if I first set up an account with their nat'l headquarters and order it. They also do not handle the D650, but state they will happily order one for me.

I'm just puzzled how and why a major tool mfr'r like Cooper (Weller's parent) would be so difficult to purchase from.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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c170b53
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Post by c170b53 »

I've got a D550 that's been in storage for twenty years. Does it need both headlights installed to work? Can't even remember why I bought this bazooka.
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GAHorn
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Post by GAHorn »

Send it to me and I'll let you know. :wink:
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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