>> “ The radio shack and lowe’s weller types are notorious for overheating, melting the insulation, and going off the deep end.” <<
.
I have a weller that is 44 years old, that has never gotten hot enough to be unpleasant, no matter how long I use it.
Probably much more iron in those cores. Which could be a disadvantage to a mad solderer like me.
But the Lowe’s Wellers and the Radio Shack knock offs of them that are produced nowadays will turn into fire hazards if you do the marathon sessions I do :)