Review of Weller WP35 35w/120v Professional Soldering Iron with 3-Wire Cord (price, deal)

[reviewer]

Soldering irons vary in price enormously, from under $5 to more than $300. We wanted a decent tool, but one that wasn't too expensive, and settled on the Weller WP35 which was not much more than $50 at the time.
The Weller WP35 is a neat-looking tool. It has a quick-change collar and is supplied with an ST3 tip that is temperature-controlled. It also has a magnetic shank on the tip which effectively keeps the temperature of the tip steady while you are busy soldering. The barrel of the tool is made of stainless steel and it has a "cushion grip" handle, which is comfortable to hold. We find that it exceptionally well balanced.
The iron itself is 7-7/8 " long, while the 3-wire AC cord is 6 ft long. This means you can work some distance from the power point.
This Weller soldering iron, which is made in Mexico, is described as a "professional tool". Even though we wanted a household tool, we opted for this "professional" one largely because of the competitive price. Our needs were similar to those of many householders who need something they can use for general electrical soldering, like soldering switches, wires and so on when quick, relatively straightforward repairs are necessary. We didn't need a tool for fiddly or specialist work, or for electronic soldering.
We have found that this soldering iron is ideal for all sorts of domestic electrical jobs. We've also used it to put a stained glass window together quite successfully. Even though its uses are limited to general purpose, use, it is remarkably versatile in that it can be used with a variety of double-coated, long lasting iron-coated tips that heat to 850