I’m also considering new soldering iron / station. Can someone advice on how useful is the hot - air for LEDs reflowing purposes? Does it help much VS. regular soldering iron?
Hot air in the 50-60$ league is not that much better than 60-80W iron, but the heat transfer is without contact so its a lot easier
You can pin the air handle between your legs and have both hands free for holding MCPCB and IR thermometer
The TS100 and TS80 are more capable than their power ratings would suggest. They’re definitely not up to super heavy duty soldering, but I’ve had little problem with soldering thick leads onto MCPCB’s.
As for tips, the TS100 has a much better selection of tips and you can even use Hakko T12 tips using a plastic adapter as well.
That’s what’s different about these irons, each tip has it’s own heating element, so they heat up much quicker. With a 24V power supply, it’ll get to 300C in 12-ish seconds.
Yes TS 100 is more powerful
But for same price you can buy a Hakko compatible KSGER station with 6 hakko clone tips included that needs no extra 24V supply
I just may getting tempted and get started… of having one soldering station. Yeah I’m new though but, I have done it before…5years back during technical college in electronics… could you guys give a nice advice I would be appreciated it. Tq.
Absolutely, for the price there are certainly better irons. Also important to keep in mind the price of the TS100 does not include the power supply either, so another consideration.
Especially if you order that C4 or CF4 tip as well you can unsolder even the most painful MCPCB like Noctigon triple ow quad easily mounted in the light
The one I got is an AEIOU or something. Variable power, power-supply included, pretty good. Also got spare Hakko(ish) tips in various shapes’n’sizes.
Hmm, there’s a ‘Y’ in there somewhere, I’m pretty sure. It’s tucked away while I’m “organising” so can’t quite get to it to see. Maybe someone else can chime in…
Hi. Just reviving an old thread. I bought THIS soldering iron to replace a failed Hakko clone like the one pictured in post #2. I am THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED with it. Small, heats up fast, adjustable temperature that actually increases temperature, low cost tips available in different shapes and from what I remember, it outperformed the hakko clone! I actually bought two of them expecting the first one to fail quickly but, it’s still going. I really don’t do loads of soldering anymore so it doesn’t get a weekly workout however, I will buy this style again if ever I have to. (UGH, sounds like an advertisement. )