Some reviews of the
PINECIL are starting to make the rounds. Runs IronOS and is generally similar to the TS100 / TS80 but seems to be a better value at $37 USD shipped.
Anybody here give this one a try yet? Also curious if you think the
dev board use case is legit.
It's been out for a while, but it was out of stock for the longest time, which sort of put a damper on it. I may order one now.
Obviously the shipping part of it will vary depending on what country you're in.
I'm still waiting on mine from the initial batch.
Looking forward to comparing it to my TS100, will let you know when I get it and test it...
And it's out of stock again, so if you were procrastinating you'll have to wait longer.
I did order one on the 8th along with the fine tip package.
And it's out of stock again, so if you were procrastinating you'll have to wait longer.
I did order one on the 8th along with the fine tip package.
Nice, let us know if it's worth the cost of admission!
And it's out of stock again, so if you were procrastinating you'll have to wait longer.
I did order one on the 8th along with the fine tip package.
Nice, let us know if it's worth the cost of admission!
Well, so far I'm totally underwhelmed with their ability to ship in-stock items in a timely fashion. I ordered on the 7th, and they have not yet shipped. When I inquired yesterday after 12 days of hearing nothing, they said it would ship on the 22nd. We shall see.
Update: I did get a tracking number today for China Post -> USPS. Now I get to wait some more, of course.
Further update: Package took 6 days to travel from Shenzhen to Hong Kong (about 50 km), but I received it in California Feb 1st, so the actual shipping wasn't bad at all. For a grand total of 25 days from the day I ordered it.
Zero documentation comes with it, so figuring out the menu was the first challenge.
Initially used a 19V laptop power supply. Used the Pinecil to solder wires to battery clips and a 5525 plug to make myself a Ryobi tool battery adapter (18V nominal, 20.5V fully charged). I am quite pleased with its performance, although I'm still getting used to how feather-light the whole thing is. With battery operation, I have a fully portable soldering iron. There's also the option of using usb-c PD instead, but I'm not making use of that feature.
So, I consider it a decent deal for the price: $25 for the iron with one tip, $25 for a box of 4 fine tips, $12 for shipping, no taxes charged (to USA, anyway). Availability and delivery time are not fast, however. Rumor is they will be out of stock until late February if you do want one.
There are more units in stock now. I just ordered one. I have an original TS80, and was looking for something with a little more "oomph" for heavier stuff. The TS100 seemed like a better choice over the TS80P (TS100 tips have better thermal mass), but there is also an argument that the original TS100 is a little outdated. Problem solved!
Just a quick update. Got mail notification with tracking number 4 days after order. Seems like they've gotten better. We'll see how long it takes to get here.
Note that, just like for the TS100, the tips are not bad per se but are ridiculously long, which makes the iron very uncomfortable to use especially for SMD stuff.
Note that, just like for the TS100, the tips are not bad per se but are ridiculously long, which makes the iron very uncomfortable to use especially for SMD stuff.
The tips Pine64 sells for the Pinecil literally are TS100 tips. There is no difference. You can find a wider selection of tips if you check Aliexpress. Pine only offers 9 tips (the one that comes with the iron, and two different 4-packs).
Now if you want ridiculously long, it's technically possible to use T12 tips in a Pinecil. You'll have to either use the collar screw to hold it in place, or some other adapter to replicate the collar-stop that's on TS100 tips. A few people have designed adapters for T12 that let you hold it further up. But that's only relevant for people that already have T12 tips they want to use, which doesn't include me.
Note that, just like for the TS100, the tips are not bad per se but are ridiculously long, which makes the iron very uncomfortable to use especially for SMD stuff.
It really depends on the size of your hands. With my large hands, I find the TS100 length just right for keeping them out of the way when using a magnifier or microscope. I find the tip length and small diameter useful for getting into awkward corners too. It really is a personal preference thing.
In my opinion Pine64 seems to be a dubious Chinese company.
In November 2021 I ordered the "Pinecil" from the Pine64 webshop. As all prices were shown in USD I suspected ordering from an US company and the item would arrive within a few days to Germany. Days after my order I asked for the estimated delivery date. They told me that the item would be shipped in 1 week from China. So I immediately cancelled my order. They rejected my cancellation: "It is too late to request cancel because shipping label already printed and difficult to sort out." This must be a lie because before they told me it would be shipped in 1 week. I also told them that I won't be able to receive the item after one week and that I insist on getting my money back. Anyway they started the shipment and I'm still waiting for the refund.
Pine64 seems to be a Chinese company, pretending being an US company. I couldn't find any legal information on their website. This is dubious.
I don't recommend anybody to order from Pine64.
I ordered a Pinecil on August 1st. Got a shipment email from them on the 5th. Received it (a US address) on the 20th.
They gave me a tracking link which gave me detailed information about where the package was.
Here's a somewhat recent review from "Adrian's Digital Basement":
How can this soldering iron be so cheap and yet be so good?
https://youtu.be/k-wo_al9QJUand this one is good review, too:
Pine64 Pinecil, PinePower Desktop, kit-build - LFC#257
https://youtu.be/-u_o-yNjpzs
I had no problems with them either. Same deal- got shipment notification 4 days after order, got it 19 days after order. It's a sweet little iron, better than the TS-100. You should technically be able to return it after it arrives, but there are far worse things you could be "stuck" with. Great deal, great iron.
I can see the advantage of cordlessness, but besides maintaining constant temperature and having some power saving features, what makes it "smart"?
I don't really have a favorable opinion of the Pinecil, because it's made it seem just like a TS100 but actually has a lower range of accepted input voltages, so one who typically uses a TS100 with a 24V adapter could destroy it.
I've never managed to break a TS100 or SQ001 though and the SQ001 both accepts 24v and is same price point as the Pinecil.
I guess though some people will rather both the DC jack as well as the USB-C for power; I would still only use DC...
I can see the advantage of cordlessness, but besides maintaining constant temperature and having some power saving features, what makes it "smart"?
I mean... It's a soldering iron. Aside from intelligent temperature control, and motion sensing sleep/wake, what else should it do? Make coffee? A web browser? Although there is a mod that you can play Tetris on it
.
As for the max voltage/wattage between the Pinecil and the TS100, it's relatively minor considering that you really don't want to be using these at max wattage. For quick bursts, yeah sure. But not sustained, it's totally the wrong tool for the job. Plus I don't think I've ever pulled more than 30w from mine. I guess it's more personal preference.