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Products => Other Equipment & Products => Topic started by: wgaca on November 08, 2024, 04:52:34 pm

Title: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: wgaca on November 08, 2024, 04:52:34 pm
Hello,

I am new here even thought I sometimes sneak around as there is a ton of good info.

I have been using a JBC soldering station for the past 10 years, I have an older and a newer model and they are amazing. I have also tried two clones which were very disappointing.
My question, which probably has been asked many times is, is there a soldering station that is as good or close to JBC that is smaller in size but still offers similar performance with micro tips?

I have been tinkering with a ts101 which does pretty good job with the bigger tips but very disappointing with the micro ones. I really want to have something I can either put away from my desk at home or something that takes less space than the JBC

Thank you
Title: Re: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: thm_w on November 08, 2024, 10:09:25 pm
Clones are as good as the original JBC in some cases, so why not state what clones you've had problems with.
There are plenty of recent threads to look at.

Smaller in size as in portable or desk unit?
Micro tip as in C115 or C210?
Title: Re: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: wgaca on November 08, 2024, 10:46:23 pm
Thank you for the reply

By micro tip i meant mainly tips with small ends like 0.2-0.4mm regardless of the shape or handle
I use mainly t245 handle with 786 and 234 cartridges (0.4mm tip) but i also have t210 for occasional use and some 0.2mm tips

If i have to compare TS-J02 for example it is not even close to the same power as it keeps on sticking when working on macbook boards (using with 24v power supply)

Smaller in size as desk unit, I don't think a portable one will do
As for the clones, i'd be happy to try a clone that is smaller in size that is recommended here. Especially if it can use the original handle.
Title: Re: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: wraper on November 08, 2024, 10:50:23 pm
I have been using a JBC soldering station for the past 10 years, I have an older and a newer model and they are amazing. I have also tried two clones which were very disappointing.
You mean JBC clones? What's disappointing? Did you try them with genuine JBC cartridges?
Title: Re: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: thm_w on November 08, 2024, 10:58:32 pm
786 has a long reach so will have poor thermal performance: https://www.jbctools.com/c245786-conical-bent-cartridge-o-04-product-1212.html (https://www.jbctools.com/c245786-conical-bent-cartridge-o-04-product-1212.html)

234 has shorter reach so should perform best: https://www.jbctools.com/c245234-conical-bent-cartridge-o-04-l-product-364.html (https://www.jbctools.com/c245234-conical-bent-cartridge-o-04-l-product-364.html)

TS-J02 is not even close to being comparable. I don't understand why you'd use that when you have JBC already.


A small budget desk unit is mentioned here, Geeboon TC22 or TA305: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/ (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/)
Title: Re: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: wgaca on November 09, 2024, 12:11:22 am
I am looking for something smaller as I no longer have a dedicated workbench at home and can't keep all my equipment on the desk at all times.
I will take a look at Geeboon TC22, thank you
Title: Re: Advice on soldering station options
Post by: u666sa on November 09, 2024, 04:40:25 am
Aixun T420D and H314
assuming you keeping head unit on top and handles on table

I personally have no experience with these. But I watched whole bunch of reviews, including several reviews 2+ hours long, where dudes who used JBC were left with T420D for a month and then given their impressions. iPhone repairs, so tips will be small.