EEVblog 1650 - Sequre HT-140 SMD Desoldering Tweezers REVIEW

[EEVblog]

Review of the USB-C Sequre Desoldering Tweezers
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DB88oqz

[black6host]

FYI, the package Dave is showing, with the power supply, is not what you'll get for $99  Yankee Bucks.  If you want the supply pick the package appropriate that costs $109 Yankee Bucks.

Regardless, I like it.  The build quality looks good, the fact that you can use JBC tips is a plus as well.  Hah, birthday and Christmas is coming up soon...   

[GeraYr]

Nice review, thank You very much. Here is Sequre HT140 Operating Instructions, v.1.0 and separate file with short explanations about Turbosets (temperature presets)

[GeraYr]

On the other hand, it is not necessary to buy a GaN charger from Sequre, although its price is not high. You can also use a DC power source such as a computer power supply or almost any charger that supports PD3.0 or PD3.1. It also works with chargers weaker than 65W, but it heats up more slowly. 65W chargers are not expensive and many people have it, 100w chargers are also common.

[black6host]

On the other hand, it is not necessary to buy a GaN charger from Sequre, although its price is not high. You can also use a DC power source such as a computer power supply or almost any charger that supports PD3.0 or PD3.1. It also works with chargers weaker than 65W, but it heats up more slowly. 65W chargers are not expensive and many people have it, 100w chargers are also common.

Very true, though I almost added the wrong one to my cart, just pointing out facts.  I decided to wait though.  But it's on my list!!

[quispiam]

This is super cool, been looking for a good pair of hot tweezers for a while, I'll have to get one!

Dave, have you checked the tip grounding of the iron? The first part is whether the tip is grounded to the USB shield (the heater resistor in the tip is pretty low resistance so it can be worthwhile to check the tip to USB shield voltage while the iron is running), and the second part is whether the USB-C charger is grounded (unlikely given the lack of AC GND pin). It's not an immediate deal breaker, but I've had situations where i've blown components because my scope GND lead was still connected to the PCB while, and the soldering iron tip was floating around 60VAC! .

Some lessons i've learnt re USB-C soldering iron grounding:
- Is your USB-C power supply grounded? Almost all of them are not (eg the one sequire sent doesn't have the third gnd pin on the AC side, so it's not grounded). The grounded USB-C supply i've been using is of these 245W ones (see link at bottom). The only way i found to tell before buying was the 3 pin power plug visible in some of the images. I power my laptop, phone, and soldering iron with it when i'm travelling for work haha
- Does the USB-C iron have the correct pin connectivity to ground the tip. The Sequire C210 iron i have has the correct tip connections, but the Sequire C245 style iron had the wrong tip-sleeve-ring connections to the cartirdge! This resulted in high current+20VDC (referenced to USB-C GND) being toggled onto the tip at several kHz! Not good for most components :'(. I cut the traces and bodged to connection and now my one is fine, but was a bit of a pain!

If you're not sure of tip grounding, the easy solution is just to make sure every possible GND is disconnected from you PCB before you touch it with the soldering iron. That means scope GND leads, any programmers or debuggers that might be connected to you laptop, any non-isolated power supply grounds etc etc. Maybe this is just good practice and i've been cutting corners, but its such a pain to disconnect all the carefully balanced test leads just to change one resistor!

Don't get me wrong though, i love USB-C powered equipment and it's here to stay in my [portable] lab . Bring on the 250W USB-C spec, i want a USB-C hot air gun!

This is the style of grounded 245W USB-C charger i bought (the link of the exact one is now broken): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008001950627.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.17.7936YxV6YxV6u5&algo_pvid=120b02f0-d1a4-4a1b-81c1-0178e234a365&algo_exp_id=120b02f0-d1a4-4a1b-81c1-0178e234a365-8&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21228.78%21114.39%21%21%211068.57%21534.29%21%402101c72a17309539945913507ec39d%2112000043220960110%21sea%21AU%21185752513%21X&curPageLogUid=GTycXw4b55E8&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A

[GeraYr]

...Sequire C245 style iron had the wrong tip-sleeve-ring connections to the cartirdge...I cut the traces and bodged to connection and now my one is fine, but was a bit of a pain!...

Can you share some photos? I know the S99 C245 tip isn't connected in the usual way, but I haven't had a bad experience yet - maybe I will do the same as you did to avoid possible problems when soldering sensitive elements. By the way, S20-S60-S60P-S99 soldering irons have the possibility of tip grounding (screw near USB-C port), only sometimes you should check whether the screw sleeve has not broken off from the main board - sometimes it breaks off if the grounding screw is used often.
I, like the majority of other users who do not solder sensitive components, probably did not even pay attention to this.
Also, one possible solution would be to power the soldering iron from a Power bank or battery when soldering sensitive components.

[PlainName]

Looks like you got the version for the Northern Hemisphere - can't think of any other reason for the tips being mounted upside down.

More seriously, using grub screws to secure the tips is a very bad idea engineering-wise, particularly since they are gripping hollow tube. You can see where the tube has been dented by the screws, so making a small adjustment to the gap between tips would likely be impossible now.

A much better solution would have been along the lines of a collet. Wouldn't even need the normal separate part since the tip shaft size won't change, and just splitting the holder and putting a chamfer on the end would be reasonably cheap but a much better solution.

[bitwelder]

The temperature shown on the display where is measured: left tip, right tip, or it's some average of the two?

[thm_w]

Looks like you got the version for the Northern Hemisphere - can't think of any other reason for the tips being mounted upside down.

Upside down? You want them to curve up like that so you can grab components flat on the board, as he demonstrates at 10:11.

More seriously, using grub screws to secure the tips is a very bad idea engineering-wise, particularly since they are gripping hollow tube. You can see where the tube has been dented by the screws, so making a small adjustment to the gap between tips would likely be impossible now.

A much better solution would have been along the lines of a collet. Wouldn't even need the normal separate part since the tip shaft size won't change, and just splitting the holder and putting a chamfer on the end would be reasonably cheap but a much better solution.

Agree, most other tweezers allow micro adjustments. These don't allow it easily, collet would help at least.

[PlainName]

Upside down? You want them to curve up like that so you can grab components flat on the board, as he demonstrates at 10:11.

!

They have fine tips to grab tiny things, and curve so the tips go in vertically while the body is at a comfortable angle (and gets under the microscope). The way shown means they go in horizontally and risk melting whatever board furniture is close by, desoldering neighbour parts unintentionally, etc. If you need wide tips for big parts then there are curved ones available in the same size you'd use for straight tips.

Seriously, if they were designed to be used as shown they wouldn't taper to tiny points. And how about those similar ones that have the bend further back? Used appropriately they would give you more headroom above components; used as shown they'd be snagging on stuff all the time.

And... if you used a non-tweezer iron (aka normal one) with bent tip, would the tip be up or down? I think that's the clincher.

[thm_w]

They have fine tips to grab tiny things, and curve so the tips go in vertically while the body is at a comfortable angle (and gets under the microscope). The way shown means they go in horizontally and risk melting whatever board furniture is close by, desoldering neighbour parts unintentionally, etc. If you need wide tips for big parts then there are curved ones available in the same size you'd use for straight tips.

Seriously, if they were designed to be used as shown they wouldn't taper to tiny points. And how about those similar ones that have the bend further back? Used appropriately they would give you more headroom above components; used as shown they'd be snagging on stuff all the time.

Yeah they aren't designed for the task, which is why they won't work well with the tiny points when angled downwards. They are just off the shelf C210 clone tips, which every vendor makes three types of (knife, conical, and conical bent https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007512225934.html).

Your photos show examples with wider tips that could work well when angled the other way.

https://smtsupplies.com/cdn/shop/files/hakko-fx-1003-micro-tweezers-conversion-kit-for-fx-100-soldering-station-905374.jpg?v=1706869827&width=600

[PlainName]

Huh! What do JBC know 

[W00fer]

I saw in some video reviews that the temperature increments are 50 degrees now.
Since a custom firmware voids the already very poor warranty (Paypal 180 days) and Sequre: 90 days where we have 2 years in the EU, I doubt I will use a custom firmware. But I like having a lower incremental value, just like the new iFixit Fixhub, where you can control the temp with a wheel.

Maybe this one will work with the Fixhub, and you have hot tweezers on a batterypack (170 USD overpriced but okay).

Also, since it most likely uses an STM32 chip, is there a chance of custom firmware? I see some other Sequre USB-C soldering irons already with updates. This HT-140 doesn't have any yet?

This is my first usb-c soldering iron. Thought to use it with a Ugreen 100W usb-c power supply but I might use a DC adapter which will be grounded.

Anyone can recommend a DC5525 power supply that is not a fire hazard? Thought of using an Asus laptop one but it's 19 volts not 20 as the iron will expect.
It's the only 120W adapter I have. 140W will be harder to find.

[GeraYr]

I saw in some video reviews that the temperature increments are 50 degrees now.
...
Also, since it most likely uses an STM32 chip, is there a chance of custom firmware? I see some other Sequre USB-C soldering irons already with updates. This HT-140 doesn't have any yet?
...
Thought of using an Asus laptop one but it's 19 volts not 20 as the iron will expect.
It's the only 120W adapter I have. 140W will be harder to find....

The temperature increment value in manual temperature set mode can be set in the menu, range from 1 to 100 degrees, default is 50.
After Sequre added Turbosets to its firmware for their soldering irons and the HT140, custom firmware cannot offer more options and functionality, so the need to use custom firmware disappeared by itself.
You can use DC power supply up to 28V, there is no limitation from tweezers side to 20V only. 65W-120W is enough, IMHO.

[GeraYr]

The temperature shown on the display where is measured: left tip, right tip, or it's some average of the two?

The highest temperature is displayed on screen at any time, because the high temperature is the most dangerous - you can burn yourself or burn the component being soldered.
For example: in standby mode, after replacing the soldering iron tip, one side has a room temperature of 25°C and the other side is still at a high temperature of 200°C, for example. The screen will display the maximum temperature of 200°C, so that users can be careful about high temperature instead of displaying 25°C or the average value.
The same is true for the working state. But because the two sides are actually heated independently, so If they detect that the temperature deviates from the set target temperature, they will continue to heat to the target temperature.

[W00fer]

I don't agree that a custom firmware cannot bring good features.
IronOS claims to improve reliability and if it can lower the OLED panel wear the longevity of the unit will be better.
Since Sequre does not sell any spare parts the OLED panel is probably the most fragile component.
And since there is no web interface to change the temperature or settings you need the panel.

Seems the display can be replaced with:
https://www.good-display.com/product/0.69-inch-small-white-96x16-dots-OLED-display-GDOA0069W-287.html

or maybe this one?

https://www.buydisplay.com/graphic-i2c-0-69-inch-96x16-oled-display-mp3-module-white-on-black

[MR]

JBC got too greedy with the soldering tips I shelved their soldering station, 45EUR for one C105 tip and 2 are needed, 25 EUR was already expensive but I was okay with that, 45 EUR I just don't see the value because they won't stand very long.

When desoldering be sure you support it with a hot air gun it will increase the lifetime of the tips a lot, and the components will get off instantly too so not much stress for the surrounding parts.
This one seems to be a good alternative.

[quispiam]

...Sequire C245 style iron had the wrong tip-sleeve-ring connections to the cartirdge...I cut the traces and bodged to connection and now my one is fine, but was a bit of a pain!...

Can you share some photos? I know the S99 C245 tip isn't connected in the usual way, but I haven't had a bad experience yet - maybe I will do the same as you did to avoid possible problems when soldering sensitive elements. By the way, S20-S60-S60P-S99 soldering irons have the possibility of tip grounding (screw near USB-C port), only sometimes you should check whether the screw sleeve has not broken off from the main board - sometimes it breaks off if the grounding screw is used often.
I, like the majority of other users who do not solder sensitive components, probably did not even pay attention to this.
Also, one possible solution would be to power the soldering iron from a Power bank or battery when soldering sensitive components.

Attached is a picture of the mod i made to the Sequire S99 C245 iron. I marked it up where i cut fully through the PCB (and taped over with kapton tape), and then reconnected the 3 terminals in (what my research suggested) is the correct pinout. There is some confusion around the net about the pinout, so double check it. But yeah, my tip no longer jumps between 0V and 20V (referenced to USB GND) while the iron is running!

[edit] Looking at the mod again now, i've made a pretty big hot loop for the switching power through the tip in my haste to GND the tip properly. You might be better off tying the GND wire in as close to the SO-8 mosfet as possible as well. I might be overthinking it though, it seems to work.

The Sequire S60P C210 was connected correctly as far as i could tell, and the all metal L245 usb-c iron i ordered from aliexpress some other time also has the correct pinout (ie tip is connected to the USB-C shield). I've added a phote of all three below as well.

I like the idea of just using a power bank, although with the really big tips i have seen these USB-C irons go up to 120W during initial heatup! And i'm sure that whenever i really needed to solder something i'd realise that i'd forgotten to charge the power bank 😅

[W00fer]

Sequre send out my HT140. They confirmed that the sleep mode which turns off the display only works when the iron is not in use.
If the iron is in use, there is no way to turn off the display. I hope that they bring this in a firmware update to prolong the lifespan of the OLED.
Basically they denied that OLED (which is an organic material) wear exists, which is very weird. Fade out, burn in or other problems do exist with OLED.
It's most likely that a compilation of IronOS might be able to do this, but there is no port yet.

[ceut]

I have ordered one too, and hope that it will be a good tool to work with 

On the reviews, we can see on the Oled screen that this tweezer overshoots a lot before stabilizing at the settled temperature.

Sequre, as many chinese lowcost manufacturers, is not good at correcting bugs or improve things   

And I don't think that IronOS will be implanted for this tool

Not a single link to support on the item page:
https://sequremall.com/products/sequre-ht140-2in1-hot-tweezers-soldering-iron-desoldering-repair-tool-for-smd?variant=44204748275900

And nothing (yet?) here: https://sequremall.com/blogs/sequre-product-firmware-upgrade

[W00fer]

I received mine today. Firmware 1.03
No overshoot seen thus far.

It's actually better than most Aliexpress tools.
For super small 0402 or 0603 the standard tweezers are too big. They don't clench far enough. They don't end up punching eachother.

The firmware is not super intuïtive. You have long and short button presses. Button hold and two buttons at the same time to control it.

Packaging is nice but the USB-C cord should be longer.
Is it worth the 100USD while a normal Sequre Iron is about 40? You do the math.

I think they are promoting the tool now with Halloween and Black Friday sales so it's a bit early to tell if and when they update it.

Motion sensor is very sensitive. I hope to see some options to dump the firmware so IronOS can have a look.

[GeraYr]

...
For super small 0402 or 0603 the standard tweezers are too big. They don't clench far enough. They don't end up punching eachother.
...
The firmware is not super intuïtive. You have long and short button presses. Button hold and two buttons at the same time to control it.
...
Motion sensor is very sensitive. I hope to see some options to dump the firmware so IronOS can have a look.

Why You can't twist the soldering tips in the holders to make them close together for 0402 or 0602? The C210-002 (C210-IS) soldering tips are among the smallest suitable even for packages 0201 and 0402.
There are only two buttons for control, many users find it very simple. Have you read the user manual if You have questions? You don't have to constantly go into the menu and change something, just use tweezers and you will gain more experience.

[I.T. Manager]

I want (and need) tweezers like this, but after watching Dave's review, searching online and reading the HT-140 documentation, I can't find any information as to whether the screen flips / inverts for left handed users.
Can anyone help ?, as I don't want stray electrons or liquid crystals falling out when used upside down. 
Thanks in advance.

[Neganur]

Menu item OLED lets you select 0/180 degrees display direction.