Good soldering irons have temperature regulated tips that are interchangeable. This is very different than a variable temperature control that simply adjusts the voltage to the heating element. Temperature controlled tips like those used in many Weller irons maintain their specified temperature regardless of if the iron is sitting in the holder or melting a blob of solder. Their design uses a very high power element that disconnects from the tip as soon as the specified temperature is reached.
This prevents the tip from overheating in the holder and insures you get a blast of power when the heat is being conducted out of the tip but it's controlled so it won't exceed this temperature either. Another thing to consider is the length of the iron from handle to tip. The longer the iron is the more difficult doing precision work will become. Good irons are short for this reason with handles that are well insulated so they don't get hot.
Note: Some of the newer high end irons with a variable control may be using electronic temperature feedback with a sensor in the tip. This will achieve the same control as the old Weller with its changeable tips but is likely to be even more accurate. Read the specs if it has a variable. If it doesn't mention anything about having the ability to maintain the specified temperature during varying operating conditions, the old Weller still has it beat.
This prevents the tip from overheating in the holder and insures you get a blast of power when the heat is being conducted out of the tip but it's controlled so it won't exceed this temperature either. Another thing to consider is the length of the iron from handle to tip. The longer the iron is the more difficult doing precision work will become. Good irons are short for this reason with handles that are well insulated so they don't get hot.
Note: Some of the newer high end irons with a variable control may be using electronic temperature feedback with a sensor in the tip. This will achieve the same control as the old Weller with its changeable tips but is likely to be even more accurate. Read the specs if it has a variable. If it doesn't mention anything about having the ability to maintain the specified temperature during varying operating conditions, the old Weller still has it beat.
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