The Weller TCP soldering iron must be the best thing since sliced bread. Got
mine in 1971 or 1972. Has a black hard bakelite cased PU1D 24V PSU with a
Bulgin miniature 3 pin power connector on the side for the TCP-1 soldering
iron
which also uses bakelite for the handle. This version may be UK specific,
not sure.
Still works fine after all these years, though could do with the 3 core
silicon rubber soldering iron cord being replaced. Not seen these listed by UK
Weller spares sources of late. Have also inherited a later TCP soldering iron
with the thermoplastic cased PS2D PSU from my late father in law, G3UUA. The
new thermoplastic though it may look smart does not hold up to abuse like the
old hard bakelite did unless dropped. Not sure if the term bakelite is used in
the USA, but a similar material was used for panel meters, tube bases and a
multitude of other uses throughout the world.
Picked up the matching desoldering attachment that replaces the TCP element
tube at a junk sale. The rubber bulb has now finally perished with age.
Anybody know of a source of replacements for these rubber bulbs?
Checks with dealers at later junk sales have drawn a blank apart from
thoughts they may have been used by the military in the UK.
Bob, G3VVT
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