Weakening Hands I Can No Longer Hold A Big Weller Solder Gun

Surlus Center
https://www.surpluscenter.com/Miscellaneous/Other-Miscellaneous/3-lb-Vulcan-Spring-Tension-Device-1-4097.axd

OK I'll bite. When soldering eight gauge what's different about the soldering tip that it doesn't eat itself once a month and not require a twelve dollar replacement?

I have an adjustable pencil tip but it needs to remain on the (heavy) work for three minutes each joint, and that is a tip eater. I had (before it was stolen in the USA) a squeeze pincer carbon tip transformer set that now retails for $699.99

Then it was used for assembly line alternator rebuilding and was available for eighty dollars. Two types: Foot pedal or squeeze switch activation. I cannot afford seven hundred dollars or thirty dollars a month for tips. Beryllium copper would be a far superior tip but these days it would probably cost two hundred dollars. I bought eight HD conical replacement tips for the pencil gun.

... or you could (have) use (used) one of these instead: https://bestofmachinery.com/best-soldering-irons/

Those are the type I use now. Isn't it time you lightened things up a bit, anyway (both in watts and weight)? ;)

Auto assembly plants are full of these things. Very handy, saves time and effort while reducing repetitive motion injuries.

I gave away a 300 watt WEN 40 years old, still wrapped in plastic when I bought it. Even heavier than the 240 watt Weller. There are electronic guns that cost 70 dollars that are 1/2 the weight of the Weller. But it takes 60 solid seconds of trigger pull to heat up the tip. Then when the tip goes it's a 50 dollar tip/heater refill. The counterbalancing weight seems to be the way to go.

Just so you know WEN used to make one that was about 50 watts. Used a different type of tip which I felt was a bit.... delicate.. drew 0.45 amps and they shaped it like an old Colt .45 Six Shooter. (Makes sense when you look at the amp rating) much lighter than the big Wellers like I use now but not much good for say Coax.. Ok for resistor leads though.

U2 ?

How many times (a day) do I find my Kindle laying flat on my chest and my reading glasses plastered to my eyelids?

I console myself with "Well it keeps my memory sharp"

But my hobby keeps me alive, and that is no exaggeration. There are times when family wants time for themselves and apart from Grandpa.

Other then National Geographic and history I despise television. And like my friend who boasted tapping 29 keys on his computer was "better" than punching a telephone number on a phone, I have found ALEXA to be more work than flipping a switch.

I have the top of an eight foot concrete wall as a place to fit a 120vac LED motion detector lamp. The lamp needs an extension arm rather than shine straight down so I can find the @#$%&! keyhole at night. Something in the 30 advertised watts would be ideal. I would get a youngster friend to help install it with concrete anchor screws.

I should try one to hold my head up when I read, I keep nodding off.

Our production facility (electronic avionics) used hundreds of those. Even for those with hands that are young and strong had these things keep injuries from repetetive motions down.