Weller Tools used its 80th anniversary in 2025 to release special black editions of two bench products: the WE1010 digital soldering station and the ZeroSmog Shield fume extraction system. Trade coverage of the announcement was published on April 17, 2025 by Circuits Assembly, and a European retailer's magazine followed on June 6, 2025. Both products are strictly limited editions, finished in black with a commemorative 80th anniversary logo. TMWB hasn't used either one, so the specifications below come from Weller's announcement coverage, the European retailer's write-up, and retailer listings.
What is the Black Edition WE1010?
The WE1010 is Weller's compact digital soldering station, and the Black Edition is the same station in a different finish. Circuits Assembly describes it as a sleek commemorative design with the anniversary logo, offering the same performance as the original WE1010. Weller says the look nods to its early devices, which were made from black bakelite, an early synthetic plastic that was common in mid-century electrical products. The performance details are the standard WE1010's:
- Power: a 70 W soldering iron on a one-channel station, with a listed power consumption of 85 W.
- Temperature: 100 to 450°C (200 to 850°F), with a stability of plus or minus 2°C. One listing gives the accuracy as plus or minus 5°C, so the two figures describe different things or different test conditions.
- Control: digital control with an LCD display and three buttons.
- Tips: tool-free tip changes, which Weller says can be done while the tip is hot.
- Handling: a heat-resistant silicone cable, ESD-safe construction, and password protection for the settings. ESD stands for electrostatic discharge, the static spark that can damage sensitive components.
- Standby: an automatic standby mode to protect the tool and its surroundings.
- Certification and size: CE and UL certified, with dimensions of about 5.91 by 4.72 by 3.85 inches.
A one-channel station drives a single iron. That matters for buyers comparing it with multi-port stations, which can run several handpieces from one base.
What is the ZeroSmog Shield?
Solder flux, the chemical that cleans metal so solder will flow, produces fumes when it heats. A fume extractor pulls those fumes through a filter before they reach the person at the bench. The ZeroSmog Shield is Weller's fume extraction system, and Weller released it in a black edition to match. The reseller write-up lists EPA E10 particle filtration, activated carbon gas filtration, quiet operation, a stackable design that sits with the WE1010, quick filter changes, and an integrated work light. Particle filtration catches the solid fume particles, while activated carbon adsorbs gases and odors that particle filters pass.
Neither the Circuits Assembly coverage nor the retailer write-up gives dimensions, airflow, or filter life for the extractor, so those numbers aren't available from these sources. The stackable design is the interesting part for a small bench, because the extractor is meant to sit on top of or beside the station without taking extra space.
What does Weller say about the release?
Philippe Buidin, president of Weller Tools, is quoted in the coverage. "As Weller celebrates 80 years of groundbreaking advancements in soldering, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation," he says. The European retailer's write-up adds a line calling the release "a strong signal from Weller for precision, innovation and style." Weller describes the black editions as a tribute to its heritage. Both quotes come from promotional material, and neither one adds technical detail beyond what the product listings show.
How does it fit into Weller's lineup?
Weller's WXsmart platform is its higher-end line, and the company ran an anniversary promotion for it in the United States and Mexico from April 28 through August 31, 2025, offering 20 percent off a range of WXsmart kits and a new Weller Automatic Tip Cleaner (WATC100 series). The WE1010 sits below that tier as an entry-level digital station. A June 2026 buying guide lists the WE1010 as a professional-grade pick at about $155, next to Hakko's FX-888D class at about $130. The Black Edition is a styling change inside that pricing space, not a new performance tier.
What does it cost, and where can it be bought?
Weller's announcement coverage doesn't print a price. The release says the editions "will only be available for a limited time," without giving a quantity or an end date. Retailer listings show wide variation: one European shop lists the Black Edition at about $135 excluding VAT, and another lists it at about $220, which may include VAT or a different package, so the figures aren't directly comparable. Both are converted from euros at early-October 2026 exchange rates. Weller sells through authorized distributors, and buyers should check regional listings. Farnell, the electronics distributor, announced on July 20, 2025 that it carries the Black Edition, and Andrew Weatherill, Farnell's VP of Global Product, called Weller "the trusted name in hand soldering, rework, and fume extraction."
Why are there two publication dates?
Circuits Assembly published its coverage on April 17, 2025, and the European retailer Reichelt ran its own write-up on June 6, 2025. The Circuits Assembly piece has the Weller president's quote and the design story but no specifications, so the technical details here come mainly from the retailer's write-up and product listings. A Weller datasheet for the Black Edition exists on Weller's site, though the PDF I retrieved wasn't readable, so I haven't used it. The product has therefore been described by a trade outlet, a retailer, and shop listings, and each fills a different gap.
What does 70 W mean for a station?
Wattage describes how fast the iron's heater can deliver energy to the tip. A 70 W iron has a moderate amount of reserve for a station of this size, enough for general electronics work without the bulk of a higher-powered station. The station's listed power consumption of 85 W is higher than the iron's 70 W because the base electronics and the transformer draw some power too. A stability of plus or minus 2°C means the controller holds the set temperature within that band once the tip has settled, which is the figure that matters for consistent joints.
What's still unknown?
The coverage leaves out the production quantity, the end date for availability, a manufacturer price, the ZeroSmog Shield's airflow and filter specifications, and whether the Black Edition uses a different tip set from the standard WE1010. Since the editions are described as the same performance as the originals, the real decision is whether a commemorative finish is worth a premium over the standard WE1010 at the time of purchase.
Sources
- Circuits Assembly, April 17, 2025: Weller celebrates 80 years with Black Edition WE1010 and ZeroSmog Shield
- Reichelt magazine, June 6, 2025: Weller 80th anniversary Black Editions
- Weller Tools 80th anniversary promotion (PDF)
- eleshop WE1010 Black Edition listing
- Microcontrollerslab soldering buying guide, 2026
