Only one day of freezing my arse off which I will spend between Toby Carvery, RS trade counter and starbucks.
I didn't know there was a trade counter anywhere particularly near you - nearest one when I used to live out that way was, IIRC, at Slough.
Question for you: The last time I needed to use an RS trade counter I had an account but I remember that at the time they wouldn't take walk-in trade armed only with cash or a credit card, you had to have an account. Since then RS have become much more liberal about who they will do business with and how. So, now they are a bit more relaxed, will they now take walk-in trade? I ask because a few times I've ordered things for other people because I'd have liked to just point them at the local RS trade counter, but wasn't sure if they'd get turned away, and I couldn't find a clear statement on the subject from the RS website.
Heathrow is nearest to me. It's not even really Heathrow but a bit north up the A312.
They will do business with whoever now. I must have put 100 orders through them in the last year. Don't expect miracles at the trade counter. I got an order of specific parts delivered to the trade counter - they have nothing much to browse through. You can just turn up and ask for stuff though.
Never had a Weller iron but I'm dead chuffed with my T12, although I've had a couple of the tips go bad on the connections when I've changed them over, really recommend having more then 1 handle and not changing the tips over. Are you still using the cheap supplied tips or did you get some genuine Hakko ones?
Thinking about your boiler situation, I bet you wish you hadn't chopped your credit card up now, so are you able to get it fixed without it, can't use SWBMO's as its maxed out?
I have two handles now. You need a soldering iron to fix them so they are self supporting now
![Cheesy :D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/cheesy.gif)
... just using the cheap tips. They're pretty good. I figure they are consumable and at just under £3 if I use one a month up, meh.
As for the boiler situation, I have insurance. Got enough cash to cover a full boiler replacement if need be as well. The card was just easier to account for "fun spending" separately. Been flat out broke before and entirely in deep shit and said to myself back then I'm never letting myself get into that hole again
![Phew :phew:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/phew.gif)
I have 2 of those stands, they are OK but be warned however that the 9501 handle is almost horizontal in it because of the centre of gravity, whereas the 907 handle fits perfectly due to the tip extending longer which does make the vibration switch less sensitive.
not too bothered about that. As long as it works. The main thing is so I can get rid of the Weller. I'll play with different stands next
![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley.gif)