Micro Soldering - TS100 or t12 Clone

[leham]

I'm looking to get more into micro soldering and I'm looking to get a new iron.

I'm currently using a 888D T18 iron for micro soldering (tiny BGAs in mobile phones), it works but it sucks, tips to big and heating is slow.

I was considering the "new" TS100 iron but it seems there aren't many tip options and its a bit hard to hold (too far away from the tip)


I found this iron kit https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=&SearchText=MINI+T12+OLED


I take it, it's fully compatible (electrically and physically) with genuine hakko T12 tips? 

Will it work with hot tweezers?

What tips should I get for micro soldering, I've read I and J tips are good but anyone have a better idea?

In another thread someone mentioned replacing the handle, this kit comes with a clone FX-9501 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/QUICKO-MINI-T12-STC-OLED-Digital-soldering-station-942-electronic-soder-iron-with-9501-handle-power/32857152188.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.26.3d9511a79aVk3F&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10152_10709_10151_10065_10344_10068_10130_10342_10547_10343_10340_10548_10341_10697_10696_10084_10083_10618_10710_10307_10131_10132_10133_10059_308_100031_10103_441_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_2,ppcSwitch_3&algo_expid=e10c87a7-ff90-46c8-8c8e-58c14dbbeb2a-3&algo_pvid=e10c87a7-ff90-46c8-8c8e-58c14dbbeb2a&priceBeautifyAB=0

thank you

[leham]

I ended up ordering the T12 OLED cone with the 9501 Handel  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/QUICKO-MINI-T12-STC-OLED-Digital-soldering-station-942-electronic-soder-iron-with-9501-handle-power/32857152188.html

A T12-ILS tip and a t15-JS02

Is the small extra grip you can get for some real Hakko's compatible with this?


EDIT:

How can I go about grounding the tip?
I ordered the one with the china butt-puckering-psu .. Should I just get a good earthed old Laptop PSU?

Also I own a cheap K-type thermal couple, can I use this to roughly calibrate the iron also being cartridge based, how does calibration work?

Sorry for all the questions

[nanofrog]

I ended up ordering the T12 OLED cone with the 9501 Handel  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/QUICKO-MINI-T12-STC-OLED-Digital-soldering-station-942-electronic-soder-iron-with-9501-handle-power/32857152188.html

A T12-ILS tip and a t15-JS02

Is the small extra grip you can get for some real Hakko's compatible with this?

Unfortunately, the handle is NOT compatible with Hakko's tip collars.

EDIT:

How can I go about grounding the tip?
I ordered the one with the china butt-puckering-psu .. Should I just get a good earthed old Laptop PSU?

Also I own a cheap K-type thermal couple, can I use this to roughly calibrate the iron also being cartridge based, how does calibration work?

Sorry for all the questions

Assuming you mean the PSU is connected by a barrel connector, you'd have to run an external ground wire from the station (connects to the tip's ground through the threaded collar DIN connector). You could even place a 1M resistor in series.

[leham]

Assuming you mean the PSU is connected by a barrel connector, you'd have to run an external ground wire from the station (connects to the tip's ground through the threaded collar DIN connector). You could even place a 1M resistor in series.

Would that cause an issue with the floating PSU

[nanofrog]

Assuming you mean the PSU is connected by a barrel connector, you'd have to run an external ground wire from the station (connects to the tip's ground through the threaded collar DIN connector). You could even place a 1M resistor in series.

Would that cause an issue with the floating PSU

It wouldn't be connected to the PSU at all, so no issues.

Even in the models that include an internal PSU, the ground is essentially pass-through anyway; meaning the PSU itself isn't earth referenced. The aluminum case (assuming it has one), should be grounded for safety, and of course, ground should be connected to the tip through the iron's cable.

[nanofrog]

In regard to an iron that uses T12/T15 tip collars, you could modify a FM-2028 clone (cut the connector & wire in the DIN connector on the 9501).

Another iron handle that might be of interest, is an aluminum unit (here). No collars, but it does have a short tip-to-grip which gives you more control.

[thm_w]

In regard to an iron that uses T12/T15 tip collars, you could modify a FM-2028 clone (cut the connector & wire in the DIN connector on the 9501).

Another iron handle that might be of interest, is an aluminum unit (here). No collars, but it does have a short tip-to-grip which gives you more control.

The second one looks nice, some similarities to metcal.

[amyk]

If you're working with BGAs, hot air would be better than any iron.

[leham]

If you're working with BGAs, hot air would be better than any iron.

I have a hot air station but I need a good iron to clean up the pads and wick.
Also running jumpers