The Weller WE1010 is a modern replacement for the iconic WES51. But don’t worry, this new Weller has just about every feature you could ask for.

To start, Weller has upped the power; the WE1010 is rated at 70W – meaning heat up / recovery times are significantly reduced. The analog control knob has been replaced with digital controls – a large LCD screen displays the current tip temperature and the set temperature as well. Standby mode and auto set back conserve energy, and protect equipment when the iron is on, but not in use.

A long heat-resistant silicon cable connects the wand to the base station. The iron is easy to maneuver and does not suffer from the same mobility problems of the lower cost handheld soldering irons. The iron uses the same familiar “ET” series tips as the WES51 – replacement ETA tips are available.

These are ideal for commercial use and should stand up to years of heavy operation in a manufacturing setting without a sweat. But don’t think they are just for work, these are a treat to work with and perfect for any well sorted hobbyist bench as well!