DIY Weller WMRT compatible handle

Here are desoldering tweezers that you can build yourself. They use Weller RTW series tips and can be used with my DIY Weller WMRP and WMRT compatible soldering station. Of course you can also use it with genuine Weller soldering stations which support WMRT, e.g. WD1M, WD2M and WR3M.

The design consists of 3D printable handle and a PCB. The handle is designed by Rens PA3AXA and the PCB is designed by me. You can download all required files below.

wmrt_handle_3d.zip           3D-printable handle design STL files

wmrt_handle_drawing.pdf   Circuit diagram, assembly drawing and bill of materials

wmrt_handle_pcb.zip         Schematic and board file, designed with Eagle 5.12

wmrt_handle_gerbers.zip     Gerber files

The build is quite straightforward. It is important that you first screw the Binder 09-9792-20-05 connector to handle and then solder the PCB to the connector. For getting parts, I have listed TME, Digi-Key and Farnell order codes to the assembly drawing above. Digi-Key doesn't sell the Binder connector, though. The small reed switch is used for standby function, and can be difficult to source. If you don't need automatic setback and standby function, you can omit the reed switch.

The picture above shows inside of the handle. The Binder connector is soldered to top side of board, unlike instructed in assembly drawing. It works both ways, because both heater and thermocouple of tips are swapped.

For more information, see the project page at http://kair.us/projects/weller/diy_wmrt_handle/