What soldering iron do you use?

it will be fine if you need more power you can go up in voltage it will heat up quicker and also recover quicker. the ts100 can handle 12-24v, with a max temp of 400 c.

I do have weller’s 80w soldering iron that easily solder xt90s but it’s too hot and melts the plastic in the connector and I can’t regulate the heat there.

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yep always solder with the connector plugged into another. I learnt this quickly lol.

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Yup, I’m aware of that. I’ve ordered it today as well actually. I hope it will handle these large connectors.

Ha that’s a good idea. Hope it won’t melt both sides lol.

Plug the XT90 together while you solder them so the pins stay straight

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Will do! Thanks

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I have a JBC - BT-2BWA. JBC is a bit on the expensiv side, but I’s really worth it, imo. I use JBC at work as well. Tips also last forever and the selection is huge. Heating up is super fast as well.

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I’ve done an embarrassing amount of research on this.

Level 1: crap irons. This includes stuff like usb powered, 20w plug in irons, etc. They can work and work well, but they’re pretty basic.

Level 2: Hakko 936 clones. These are actually pretty nice. Temperature controlled. Tips and heating element are separate. Hand piece is kind of bulky. I’d put most of the things like Aoyue and Yihua here.

Level 3: Hakko 888. Same tech as Level 2, but a bit nicer.

Level 4: Arduino cartridge based systems. These guys mostly tap into Level 5 system’s tips but use generic electronics to drive them. Mostly using Hakko FX-951 style tips, and clones thereof. I would put TS100 here, but TS100 seems to use proprietary tips. These guys are a big step up from Level 3.

The BOSS spot welder’s soldering iron function is in this category.

These can be game changers as many run off DC, so can be powered off lipos or whatever in the field. And they get you into the cartridge tips for crazy cheap.

http://112.124.9.237/images/F21CFEC0311C4BF993C70E0A78092CB4.jpg

Level 5: Temperature controlled cartridge based systems. This is the cream of the crop. The tip cartridges contain the heating element and the thermometer. The feedback loop is tight, power delivery is fast. The handpieces are slim. There are various technologies here, but the style is the same. I think the most famous is Metcal ($500?). They can be had used for somewhat reasonable money. Used Pace industrial units can usually be found cheap on ebay. The Weller with the fancy display, and the Hakko FX-951 ($300?) are in this category (believe it or not Hakko is not king at level 5). JBC ($$$$$!) seems to own the very top of this category. It’s really hard to go back after using these guys. They’re usually in the 50w range, but they can deliver the heat to the tip very rapidly and continuously. Usually ready to solder in about 10 seconds. If buying new, I think the cheapest are like $200? Used units can be had for under $100.

https://gokimco.com//media/catalog/product/cache/1/Base%20Image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/x/fx951.jpg

https://www.paceworldwide.com/sites/default/files/WJS100-with-large-tip-LED-board-624x350px.jpg

There are some category busters, like Weller’s 100w pencil with temperature controlled tips, butane irons, soldering guns.

Personally, I think the used Pace and Metcal, and the TS100 seem like standouts.

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Thanks for that detailed explanation, I just bought this one!

I can choose 5 tips from the following… any recommendation? Otherwise I’ll just pick the default ones.

damn, 5 tips at that price seems like a great deal. But there’s a chance that the genuine Hakko T12 tips will greatly outlast/outperform.

At minimum get the biggest one with the most metal, to do big bullets and large gauge wire. Maybe one of KF/D52/CF4/C4.

I’d personally also get a small and tiny chisel tip. The small chisel gets 90% of the work. The bent tips seem popular with the Metcal folk.

Cool man, thanks again.

40€ its a bargain, compared to the 140€ the Hakko 888 costs in Amazon.es

20190308_195218 TS 100

I use a Weller wesd51.

Ruined one pencil a few months in, but I was hot swapping tips using pliers to do so. Think I overtightened, as the issue was that ID became too large and there was play in the tip.

Haven’t had issues since I stopped hotswapping. Bought a nice set of various tips on eBay.

Looking into buying a Chinese hot air station soon

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Weller WESD51 is my top choice also

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Boss level spot welder with hakko style solder iron works well for me on the go i have 6s1p battery which gives me 40 mimutes of use. Wonder tho if my 6s1p can be used on the ts100

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with the latest firmware…I think you can.

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Hakko on the Boss welder multifuntional :grin:

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A month ago, only took it. Took Lukey 852D + FAN. Lukey stations are represented by 4 models. Judging by the description do not differ almost anything. 852D + FAN and 852D + are made in a metal case, 702 and 898 in plastic. 852D + is the only one with a compressor in the case and air supply to a hair dryer with a hose, the rest with a turbine in a hair dryer, which is more convenient. There are more options here.https://solderingironguide.com/reviews/best-soldering-stations/

TS100 with Hakko tips. The most versatile soldering iron I’ve ever owned, and I’ve gone through a lot. Highly recommended. With custom firmware it can also be transformed into an oscilloscope.