Soldering Iron....
. Those guns are not that useful, they heat the loop red hot and you never know when to let up on them, destroying the tips quickly.
I've used those guns since I was 13 years old. You have to learn how to use them. They are like any other tool. I got my first Weller about 1962
"The standard method" to use a Weller:
Get the joint ready. Get the solder ready. Get pliers or a wrench ready.
Pull the trigger.
If the gun has not been used in awhile, after a couple of seconds take your wrench / pliers and loosen / tighten the tip nuts a couple of times.
Put down the wrench / pliers
Pick up the solder.
"Guess" is it hot? Try the solder. Continue heating until the solder melts. Clean the tip if necessary.
Apply the gun to the joint. Heat until the joint melts solder, and apply more
Easy. I bet I haven't bought 20 tips in the last 50 years. If you get caught without a tip, just use a short length of no 14, 12, or 10 copper wire, depending on the gun and what you are soldering.
