History of the Weller TCP soldering iron station?

[Herald1360]

No, not Marconi, and not German either.

I know there's at least one of you out there that will recognise it at a glance

[Wellertcp]

One of these I think, beauty !

http://www.hpmemoryproject.org/timel...g/hp606_01.htm

[turretslug]

H-p 606?

[Herald1360]

That makes at least three then

First in was Wellertcp which is suitably apposite!

I used one at work in the late '70s, I preferred it to the Marconi TF144H alternative.

I acquired it at Bletchley back in 2010, it cost me £35 ISTR.

[Wellertcp]

Originally Posted by ajgriff

My Cooper blue PU-5D is potted and was made in Horsham. See first two photos.

I was referring to the 'standard' TCP model; which is the subject of this thread.

[ajgriff]

Originally Posted by Wellertcp

I was referring to the 'standard' TCP model; which is the subject of this thread.

Fair comment but it'd be interesting to understand how the TCP evolved. The magnastat patent was granted in 1960 but apparently the TCP didn't appear until 1967. What happened in between? Were the US and UK launch dates the same? When was the Horsham factory built and did it just make the famous gun initially? Where does the MCP fit into the story? What do the initials TCP stand for?

Alan

[Jon_G4MDC]

Temperature Controlled Pencil is how I always understood it.

[ajgriff]

Sounds logical. What about MCP? Magnastat Controlled Pencil?

Alan

Edit: Looking at the MCP information sheet it's probably Miniature Controlled Pencil.

[Wellertcp]

Yes, 'Temperature Controlled Pencil' I would also agree with 'Miniature'

In those 7 years, I would imagine gearing-up for production. I would imagine production started in the US before the UK (seems logical) from working in manufacturing myself, it takes time to get from patent to prototypes to full rocknroll production.
They did also build the heat guns at Horsham.

What I find interesting, is that after the initial 'PU-1D' the US and UK went in different directions; the UK went with the 'PU-2D' and 'PU-3D' whereas the US went with the 'WTCPN' - I wonder why ?

You will see the US-made stations in use in this video I posted previously, HP no less...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwmtvf-djgA

(An excellent tutorial, for anyone who hasn't watched it, and if you don't pass the test at the end - you're fired!!)

[Longespee]

'' Sauder " !?

Saudering on gold boards from HP certainly reduced the risk of a bad joint.

[Jon_G4MDC]

No. Usually I hear it as sodder. Sort of apt I suppose.

[lesmw0sec]

Originally Posted by Jon_G4MDC

No. Usually I hear it as sodder. Sort of apt I suppose.

My favourite was a chap on the production line who always referred to a 'soldiering iron'!

[ScottBouch]

Ref, Anglo-American spellings: I always thought as with a few Americanised words, just a single letter was dropped to shorten/simplify them, so 'solder' became 'soder', and 'aluminium' became 'aluminum'.

I once read an article on the reinvention and simplification of the English language in America, there was a key person who re-wrote the dictionary where a lot of these shortenings originated... But I don't have time to find it again presently..

[Wellertcp]

Originally Posted by ajgriff

I don't think the MoD liked the Weller power units. My ex-Mod TCP has a unit made by Farnell. See last three photos.

Alan

Yes, I've come across similar efforts from RS before, with MOD markings.
Your PSU certainly won't rust, bust, buckle or bend....!

Also the BBC, I believe, had their own (metal-cased) PSUs for Weller pencils.

[Wellertcp]

Originally Posted by Herald1360

My PU-2D has an RS transformer in it now and some of that brass "scouring pad" stuff instead of the sponge. 'Nuff said!

I like it, Herald ! Plus banana plugs on a black flex; your Weller station must certainly be the equivalent of Trigger's Broom !!