Weller Guns are Great!
The D-550 rated at 240/325 watts is a heavy duty workhorse, not to be confused with the newer D-550 rated at 200/260 watts. The older D-550 has a Bakelite case and you can run it until its too hot to handle. The newer lower rated model has a thermoplastic case and any sustained use will melt and deform the case. The newer gun also has aluminum barrels versus the copper clad steel barrels of the older unit.
That older D-550 will solder and unsolder to steel chassis with relative ease. I've also heard that it worksk well when soldering stained glass windows. It is a gentle giant that while able to solder large objects, will not overheat and burn up smaller objects, so it will also work well for soldering automotive and electrical wire, although it is overkill for that use.
If all you need to solder is lighter jobs such as wiring, or radio work, you might want to consider the Weller 8200, the lighter sibling of the D-550, rated at 100/140 watts. Again you want the older model with the nuts that screw in the end of the barrel to secure the tip. Newer versions also have the thermoplastic case, aluminum barrels, and screws that clamp the tip from the side instead of screwing in the ends of the barrel.
You will find that Weller soldering guns are almost indestructible, but can succumb to physical abuse such as dropping, I also bought one that was completely burned up. That is rare. Usually, if the case is intact, and the gun will respond when the trigger is pulled, the most that is needed is a new tip and maybe a new light bulb. More frequently the tip needs cleaning and the bulb needs to be screwed in or pressed in. Lightly sand papering the ends of the tip where they are clamped is usually all that is needed to get the tip heating like new. Tips can be badly corroded or worn and the best fix there is a new tip;
As noted, these are excellent soldering guns and if you do any soldering they will give long and faithful service with only a modicum of care.
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