Good starter kit - works great but not long-lasting

Worked great. For a while anyway. Bought this a year ago and used it intermittently (less than monthly) for the first 8 months then more often (twice a month) in recent months. The last time I used it (before the holidays) it wasn't staying hot. I was trying to figure out if it was related to the position of the cord but I finished the project before resolving that question. The next time I went to use it the rod didn't heat up. It got a little warm near the tip so current was being passed, but I could hold it so not really hot at all and not usable after that. I tried for a half-hour and then later I even took it apart to make sure a wire wasn't disconnected or crossed. Everything was as it should be - just never got hot anymore. I used it less than a dozen times but didn't spend a lot and it came with lots of tips and other good stuff I can use with the new one I bought locally. The new one cost more money (double) but has a temperature control, which I learned was important for how I need to use the tool. This first burner was good enough to get me started. Just don't expect a long life for the low investment!

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