Soldering station failure?

My experience with Weller and Hakko is that they pretty much last forever.  I've had a loose plug and a broken wire after years of use, but it was an obvious failure and easily repaired.  I've never seen one indicate different temperature than the tip was.  Now, you do have to calibrate an iron, I have the Hakko calibrator to calibrate when I change tips or wands.

Maybe you've already checked this, but just in case...  I've experienced what you're describing, intermittent lower than expected heat if the tip becomes even a little bit loose.

@SteveH posted:

Maybe you've already checked this, but just in case...  I've experienced what you're describing, intermittent lower than expected heat if the tip becomes even a little bit loose.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

My experience with Weller and Hakko is that they pretty much last forever.  I've had a loose plug and a broken wire after years of use, but it was an obvious failure and easily repaired.  I've never seen one indicate different temperature than the tip was.  Now, you do have to calibrate an iron, I have the Hakko calibrator to calibrate when I change tips or wands.

Mmm, haven't checked the tip, but will do so and report back.

Also, haven't seen any obvious damage, but will double check. Also, no obvious calibration option, but I will also see if I missed something. Thanks for the suggestions!

Well, tried the suggestion to tighten up the tip (actually, took off the tip entirely, and reinstalled and tightened it back up), and did a test solder. Seems to be working again, and lowering and raising the analog temperature knob results, after a few second pause, a plausible digital adjustment (IOW, the temperature briskly readjusted from the old to the new temperature). Dunno if the tightening was the reason, but a quick test solder was successful. Thanks for the support/advice!

Per the product description, it has an on/off cycle.  Maybe that had something to do with it.