[stormqloud]

My soldering iron is like 30 years old and has 1 to 10 dial. Works great the few times I use it.

[bigiain]

I think this is likely to be down to the different expectation/requirements of people who use their soldering iron a few times in 30 years, compared to people who have theirs hot most or every day.

I bet your soldering iron is fine for everything you want it to do. I also be it won't let you work with tiny SMD components or reattach micro usb connectors out at the drone field where you damaged it in a crash...