Repair PES51 soldering iron

[ryanscott6]

I have a 2 year old WESD51 that's having problems with its PES51 iron.  It seems like the heating element is coming loose within the tube which in turn, causes the tips to be loose.  I've pulled the housing out and seated it back in place but it tends to work itself out.  I have another iron the way to replace it but if anyone has any tips, I'd appreciate them.

[Kbeistline]

I also had the same problem with my 5 year old WES51. After about 2 years of operating, the barrel would "wiggle" out of the handle causing much grief thru either the barrel wiggling out or loosening the barrel nut causing a non heating tip. I have been successful in "pushing" it back inside the handle. And about 2 years ago it would wiggle out even when cool. Pushing it back in has caused the wires to break at the strain relief. It appears that the hi-temp plastic used does breakdown when it is left on for extended periods on hi-temp selection. Looking into it further, I noticed the 'spline' rib cuts are lengthwise and not around the diameter. I tend to perceive this like a car drive shaft that can slide in and out but the spline prevents twisting. IMHO, if they were anticipating on the cheap they could just as easily cut the grooves around the diameter to prevent any type of removal. Although that would defeat the ability to replace the heater or temp probe unless they implemented a type of 'clamp' (clamp, screw, BNC style socket, etc.). Of course they would have to increase the price of the unit appropriately. I have ordered a replacement PES51 pencil, and I am going to modify the new one so this does not happen again. FWIW, I personally would not mind paying an additional $20 USD if the said designed clamp does what it is supposed to do and does not break upon the first heater/temp probe replacement.

[viperrepair]

Hi, If you look into the barrel from the tip end you will see there is a inner barrel that has a slight taper. This is where the seat of the tip (not the end) bottoms out  This inner barrel or sleeve is what moves down with time or if you drop the iron on its nose. the result is the tip seats farther down causing the retaining barrel to no longer "clamp" the tip against the seat, causing the tip to be loose. I've put thin springs around the skirt of tip so the clamping can be tight again. this worked for awhile but some kind of shim is needed. pulling that sleeve up to its original position is not an option. and pushing it up from the bottom seems almost impossible also. If I had a spot welder I would weld the two sleeves together so the inner sleeve would be locked to the outer.
J.M.O.
Viper

[viperrepair]

Well what do you know, the two sleeves in the new pencil are spot welded. The older one is not that's good news. no more loose tips I hope.
Cheers.

[justanothercanuck]

heh, speaking of the wes/pes51, i just had to buy a new wand for mine... i can't get the outer barrel off mine to change the tip.  pictures and video on the internet make it look easy, but mine is simply seized up.  ebay to the rescue.