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I've used a Weller TCP-1 with a PU-1D since forever now but it's a bit brutal for modern ( 😆 ) SMD stuff so I'd like to also have an iron that is suitable for much smaller stuff. Does anyone here have a recommendation for something temp controlled for tiny SMD components or am I better just trying to find lower temp bits for my TCP iron? I'm just finding that unless I work super fast my current number 7 bit will just lift the solder pads on the board.
It's been a while since I soldered but I would always have used a pair of soldering tongs for removing SMD components. Can you get tongs that will fit the PU-1D?
I would be surprised as it's a 50 year old device now 🙁
At work we have a mix of metcal and JBC soldering irons and both work very happily with tiny little surface mount parts with the right tip. These are normally quite pricey but you can find some knock off JBC stations, irons and tips on AliExpress that should do the job.
I went for an Aixun T3B station and T210 iron (and a bigger T3A and T245 iron for chunky parts) which has been working nicely so far and seems fine working with genuine tips if you want something more specialist than you can get from China. Looks like the T3B has gone up in price a bit now but there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that come with a T210 iron or the even finer T115 iron.
That's great info thanks. Not a brand I had heard of before but the price seems ok and in the ballpark of the we1010 and fx888 things that's I'm seeing. I'll add it to the list as it looks very nice really
I've done 0603 components with a normal Antex iron with a precision tip. However, a hot air station with generous quantities of flux will be easier provided you don't blow the components off the board and onto the floor. Not that I've ever done that.
I've just bought a Yihua 982 from AliExpress, i think it was about £45. I'm very impressed with it so far. Comes with three tips as well.
I've just bought a Yihua 982
That is an amazing price really . I'll take a look
Tbh pads lifting usually points at cheap/poor quality PCBs ime. Sure, you can do some damage to anything if you're really smashing it with heat for a long period but otherwise any temperature controlled iron 'should' be ok. Old solder that still contains lead ftw. (-:
I've got a Pinecil, they get great reviews, are cheap and really easy to use. I've soldered some fairly chunky things like XT60 battery connectors, and tiny things that I needed a magnifying glass for! All powered off a USB C charger or a LiPo battery.
I've also got a very expensive soldering station but prefer the Pinecil.
https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-smart-mini-portable-soldering-iron/
I've got a Pinecil,
That looks great and I'm long overdue an upgrade from the Antex one which totally coincidentally looks exactly like the ones we had in high school. But it's $25 direct from P64 and £50-£60 from UK suppliers. Have I missed something?
I bought mine direct, no issues and fast delivery.
I read up about it and it seems the owner / design is selling at a low price to support the hobby market rather than make loads of money.
There's 3rd party firmware out there too if that's your thing.
A really cool product, cheap, good quality, fun to use.
never actually backed anything off Kickstarter yet, although I'm tempted by this as it looks pretty neat!
would actually solve the main problem for me which is the organisational side. finding where I've scattered all my various tools first takes longer than the soldering 🙂