Which tools - soldering station from scratch

I keep forgetting that Aliexpress is basically ebay but with even less trustworthy vendors.

Any recommended Ali sellers for this gear, or is bangood a better idea?

Yah, you can get the Quicko or Ts100 from either place probably from the exact same sellers with different names. I like Ebay’s buyer protection much better since they are based in the USA not a free-for-all like AE or BG. Pricing is similar, but I’d pay extra for something from a reputable eBay seller. 99% minimum.

That really does mean nothing, nothing really good I mean. Most sellers I've dealt with in AliExpress did right, and when a problem has arisen I either have solved it with straightforward cooperation from the seller or fair dispute settlement by way of the AliExpress Case Management Team.

One could say it is good luck, but good luck is a consequence of right vibrations.

AE disputes are horrible. The sellers will try to wear you down with meaningless replies, hoping you will give up.

No Chinese power supplies sold from China are UL listed for the USA and have unbelievably cheap internal parts so I dont trust them. Use good quality ones like Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. They’re cheap at the thrift stores.

I’m sure that you are right, but I’ve had that same experience with any Chinese seller on eBay whenever an issue arose; they will constantly delay (with extremely polite conversation, of course) until they are somehow able to close your claim without your permission and after the feedback window has closed (a ridiculous limitation, in my opinion).

Chinese sellers have learned how to play eBay’s policies against you and eBay seems silent on the matter. I’m sure that they use these same strategies on AliExpress. For anyone that has not experienced this, be warned that you will get responses the seller, at least for awhile, and they will be extremely nice to you, even claiming that they’ve personally looked into your shipment or re-shipment.

If something goes wrong with either eBay or AliExpress, simply demand an immediate refund and if that doesn’t happen, open a PayPal dispute. Do not concede to the seller’s request for mercy and understanding.

I fully admit that many AliExpress sellers are entirely unreliable and are often selling stuff so counterfeit that it doesn’t function at all. However, I’ve purchased hundreds of items from AliExpress and so far have never had any issues, so everyone’s mileage will vary. I try to buy only from established sellers or factory stores, but I’m sure that I will eventually get burned. That’s why I don’t buy $100 items from China.

In fact, I don’t buy anything from Asia through eBay anymore as I’ve been cheated too many times. I still use eBay, but only if the item is shipped from a U.S. address and when the delivery estimate is less than a week so that I know there’s domestic inventory and there should be plenty of time for resolution if issues do arise.

If eBay is my only option, then PayPal should still provide a refund when necessary, but even that process is not guaranteed to go in your favor :frowning: .

I have been on eBay since 2000 and it’s changed a lot in 19 years. I was on before anyone knew you could order stuff directly from China, back when you could get a parts kit for a 1911 handgun or Glock slide and barrel or an automatic knife.

Buy carefully and you’ll probably be fine. Pay extra for shipping if offered.

Off-topic:

Yep, it’s absolutely changed. I began buying and selling stuff like used music CD’s and film cameras on eBay in early ’98 and, as you’ll remember, the only option back then was “Auction”; none of this “Buy It Now” or “Best Offer” nonsense :wink: . IIRC, they didn’t register the eBay.com domain until the end of ’97 and my friend found it sometime that winter. I’m still the same 4-digit username as then, but I was forced to come up with something that wasn’t a standard name :wink: , so I’m “kank”, which was an inside joke between my friend and I at the time.

Since I don’t buy stuff from China via eBay and only did so a few times (and got burned most of those times), I largely use eBay like I always have. I don’t enjoy the auction process as much as back then, but I still buy used equipment that way sometimes.

Yes, ebay is due for an overhaul to better compete with Amazon. And their auctions are guaranteed disappointment these days.

OK - I think I’m getting closer to a purchase. The hot air gun Barkuti posted looks quite attractive and not excessively expensive. I’m just not sure if it will be a Step One or a Step One-and-a-Half purchase.

The TS100 looks nice, but it’s a bit more expensive and it looks like the tips are a bit longer between grip and work surface. My hands are not as steady as they once were, so the long shaft doesn’t really appeal to me.

The KSGER line looks nice. I really like using a standard PC power cord, but the comment about cheap Chinese power supplies has be questioning it.

The Quicko looks nice too. The DC in has me thinking that I can use some 2S battery packs I got for a portable HAM radio project, a laptop power brick, or, well, anything. I don’t like that it requires a particular power source, but for under $30 it’s hard to turn down.

For the purposes I listed in the first post, what tips should I be looking at? I know to look for lead solder. Any particular type of flux or solder paste? Tip cleaners?

I hope you like whatever you choose. If it helps, I measured and the TS100 is 2.75” from plastic handle to the tip of the tip.

Only 2.75”?
They must be using marketing pictures with tiny Asian hands, as it sure looked long in comparison. :+1:

Any idea how far the T12 tips extend past the handle?

I’ve had 3 tips, but not the T12. I am pretty sure they are all the exact same length. I think D24 is the one I have pictured. It’s the only one I ever use anymore. It has a large side for large jobs, and some nice small corners for small work.

Sorry - I meant the Hakko T12 clone type inserts like the KSGER and Quicko use, not a specific tip design.

Ah, Hakko T12. Sorry, never owned one. Maybe someone here could measure theirs?

The T12 tips are universal between the KSGER, Quicko, and the Hakko designed for T12 tips.

That’s what I thought.
Can anyone tell me how far past the grip a T12 tip usually extends? (in comparison to the TS100 tip at 2.75” posted earlier)

Get genuine Hakko tips. Most of the clones are crap.

About 4” past the handpiece grip.

I second getting good quality tips. I’ve been using the clones and the one that came with my Quicko is still working great. I heard to avoid the KSGER ones though…

About 4” is a guess or a measurement?

Hmmm… so if the tip of the T12 models is about 4” past the insulated grip, and the TS100 tip is about 2.75” past the grip. That’s making me think the TS100 would be a more stable tool for detail work.