Note:
Soldering Irons are on all the time and generally remain at constant tempeture.
Soldering Guns have a pistol type switch and heat only when the trigger is held in.
Soldering Stations usually have some type of thermostat or variable control to maintain a certin temperature.

American Beauty 475 Temperature Regulating Stand and Iron This soldering iron stand has a bakelite base and thermostat with an adjustment (on bottom) to regulate the temperature of any iron plugged into it. I would classify this early combination as a soldering station. (1949) Larger Photo Stand Only Iron Only Ad - Radio Electronics Magazine Mar. 1949

American Beauty 3138 Soldering Iron 110-120 Volts, 100 Watts Manufactured by the American Electrical Heater Co., Detroit USA Larger Photo

E. C. Stearns Soldering Iron This is an early (circa late 1800s or early 1900s) cast iron soldering iron with copper tip. Manufactured by E. C. Stearns Co., Syracuse N.Y., length 12.5". Larger Photo     Tip     Handle

1951 Lenk Soldering Iron Manufactured by LENK, Newton Mass. Although known for its blow torches, this pistol grip soldering iron was manufactured by LENK, of Newton Mass. (not Wall Lenk located in Penn.) Notice the unique heat dissipating stand off between the barrel and handle. Larger Photo 1951 Ad

Lenk # 375 Pistol Grip Soldering Set Manufactured by Lenk Mfg. Company, Franklin Kentucky Hardware Store price sticker on the box shows $3.89 as the cost. Larger Photo Box Photo

Kester Solder These small boxes of Kester solder were included in many vintage soldering gun kits. The red box is used for electrical soldering (Rosin-Core), and the green box (Acid-Core) for joining metal or plumbing. Larger Photo

The New Weller Speedy Iron - 1946 This is one of Carl E. Weller's first soldering guns manufactured in Easton PA. Weller began manufacturing his soldering guns in his basement in 1945. Weller received the patent for his soldering gun in 1946. Incorporating a transformer and a copper tip gave his new Weller guns the ability to deliver heat quickly and made them instantly popular. Pictured is the Speedy Iron Model - B, the earliest Weller Gun I have found. It still works. Larger Photo #1 Larger Photo #2 1946 Patent (PDF file) April 1946 Ad May 1946 Ad

Weller D-207 Soldering Gun - 1948 This is another one of Weller's early style of soldering guns. Notice the tip plugs are horizontal, not vertically positioned like today's guns. After installing a newer tip (D-207 type B) this gun still works perfectly after 60+ years. Larger Photo 1948 Ad

Weller Jr. Soldering Set #8100K This soldering gun set manufactured by Weller contains the Weller Jr. 100 watt #8100 soldering gun, a roll of Kester rosen-core solder, instructions and tools. Larger Photo Box Soldering Made Easy Booklet (PDF file)

Weller WTCPK Military Soldering Kit This compact soldering station set manufactured by Weller is enclosed in a steel case. It runs on 120VAC. The kit contains a TCP-24G, 24 volt, 42 watt soldering iron, eight soldering tips, holder, several attachments, and a desoldering tool with seven tips. The iron plugs into the power supply using a 4-pin Jones plug. The holder is fastened to the top of the power supply by a wing nut when in use. Case: 13" x 4 ½" x 2 ½" Larger Photo Case Cover Part List AC Power Supply In Operation

Craftsman 5376 Soldering Gun - Home Utility Kit This is a home soldering gun kit sold by Sears that contained a soldering gun and three tips. Larger Photo Box

Craftsman 5380 Home Utility Electric Soldering Gun Kit This is a home electrical soldering gun kit sold by Sears that contained a soldering gun with four tips. Larger Photo Box

Sears Roebuck & Co. Solder Tin This tin contains acid core solder for metal or pluming work.

Wen Model 100K Soldering Gun Kit Model 100K soldering gun kit sold by Wen Products Inc. Chicago IL. It contained the Wen model 100 (100 watt) gun, a soldering tip, and a cutting tip along with rosen-core solder. Larger Photo Box Instructions and Guarantee Wen 1965 Catalog Page

Wen Model 199 Soldering Gun Model 199 (130 watt) soldering gun sold by Wen Products Inc. Chicago IL. Larger Photo Wen 1965 Catalog Page

Snap-On R250 Soldering Gun This beast weighs in at over three pounds. At 250 watts it's one of the largest in my collection. It proably spent most of its life in an auto shop. Larger Photo

Xytronic D1-3 Vacuum Pump Desoldering Iron This Desoldering Iron utilizes a Vacuum Pump and is designed for removing components from PC boards. It combines a solder sucker and heating element in the same tool. Larger Photo

	Replacement Tips It's always a good idea to stock a spare tip for whatever iron or gun you are using. Weller tips for many soldering stations have the tempeture stamped on the end (left). 7 = 700 degrees, 8 = 800.

Weller Soldering Guide This is a small 8 page guide to easy soldering published by Weller that was included in many of their vintage soldering gun kits. Best guess is 1960s. Download (Adobe PDF File)

What I use: A - Weller WTCPN Soldering Station I have used this Weller station for 30+ years. It's been through hell and back and works as good as the day I bought it (used!). I've replaced the connector, a few tips, and sponges over the years but this Weller station still get's daily use and does not let me down. I have no use or need for a newer station with tempeture control. I cobbled together a solder holder that's tall enough to hold a 1 pound roll of solder and a roll of solder wick (for de-soldering). The alligator clip on top comes in handy for holding a wire steady or as a simple heat-sink. B - Weller 8200 N Soldering Gun I have a few of these and keep one in each shop. It's dual heat and size makes it great for heavy duty electrical work when I need more heat than my soldering station will generate. I also use one with a cutting tip for cutting nylon rope. It makes clean cuts and melts the strands together to prevent fraying. C - De-soldering tools (Solder-Suckers) A Solder-Sucker and a roll of copper braided solder-wick come in handy for removing excess solder left by me or others, or removing solder from component leads and circuit boards. The solder-wick gets the most use. D - Weller WP-40 Soldering Pencil This 40 watt Weller is perfect for use in both my electronic tool cases. Heats up fast and I keep a short piece of copper pipe to slide over the tip so it can safely be put back in the tool case right after use.

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