The older Weller soldering guns are the only ones I like. The new ones have the aluminum barrels and set screws to hold the tips.
I buy them, whenever I see them at garage sales, ETC. :thmbsp:

Re: Weller guns. Ditto. I got mine, 100/140 watt, in the case, with solder and tips, at a flea market for $4.00. Was hardly used. It's the older style with solid hardware.

Odd that I've never run across one of these or an 730 on the Minneapolis/St Paul Craigslist. But then I suppose they were about the earliest TV's collected, and so I guess most got scooped up years ago. Hopefully there's still a few lurking in some dusty hiding places. :scratch2:

My favorite is the D440. 145/210 watts. They quit making it, IIRC, in the early 70's. It uses the same tips as the smaller guns and not as cumbersome as the D550. It's more suited to old TV and radio restoration. :yes:

I this the sticker ? Sure, I could use a new one. PM sent.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8...aaf59be3_c.jpg

The other labels on the back are in better shape.
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I took a closer look at the Weller gun and discovered two in the box. The larger has some damage to the bakelite but the smaller WD-135 on top is in very good condition.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8363/8...594f0f56_c.jpg

About the Weller guns, I've had trouble with the trigger switch getting stuck on a couple of 'em I have. usually stuck on.

I haven't tried using the Wellers yet, but I sure hope they work or are repairable. They fell much better in my hand than the modern versions :yes:

I swung my my local hardware store and picked up these goo removal products. I hope they do the trick.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8...dc21be97_c.jpg

Be careful with the Goof-off. It's a tough on some plastics and finishes.
Don't ask me how I know. :tears:

Thanks for the warning. I read the label and it contains Acetone! Definitely bad for plastics and some finishes so I'm trying the other stuff first.

If all else fails try scraping it off level with a putty knife. Maybe some gentle heat will soften it up?

Congrats Bob on the new addition to the family. Next up is the 721TS

Golden Throat labels went in the mail last night.

Would it be fair to say the 721TS (I have one - not started yet) is a level or two below the 630TS, which we all agree is a brickshithouse of a TV?

i ask this only after a comparison of schematics, noticing differences in AGC, IF, sound etc

BTW-I have that same service manual for 630TS/648PTK, its a good and thorough text on teh 630TS

My unscientific view is that the 630 and 721 are very similar in performance, despite the difference in tube count (30 tubes for 630 vs. 21 for 721). I watched my 721TCS for about 4 hours yesterday and was again impressed with its great picture & audio, and its stability.

The 630 does have extra IF stages in the video and audio, which might make it better in weak signal areas, but that's not a factor now, when we are not listening to distant stations. It also has a 6AL5 DC restorer, and two 5U4G LV rectifiers rather than one. That accounts for a few of the extra tubes.

If you compare the rest of the tube lineups, you see that the 721 often uses a single multi-function tube where the 630 uses two. For example, the 721 uses one 12AU7 tube for the 1st and 2nd video amps, where the 630 uses two (6AU6 and 6K6GT).

In that sense, the 721 just seems like a newer design, not an inferior one. Older TVs used more octal tubes for single functions. As time went by, the general trend was to use more glass mini tubes that could do multiple jobs. That not only reduced cost, but it may also have improved reliability, since fewer parts means fewer failure points.

Perhaps others will disagree, but that's my quick take.

Phil Nelson
Phil's Old Radios
http://antiqueradio.org/index.html

I agree with Phil about the 721s design & performance and would love to get one someday.

First, I tried the "Paint Erase" which was having some effect, but not much. Then switched to a heat gun and a plastic knife and popped the crud right off.

After cleaning with GoJo and a Howards rubdown it's still pretty noticeable.
This will give me a chance to try out a touchup kit from The Restoration Studio

If it doesn't work out, no big deal. I have some medium brown walnut toner lacquer on hand.
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