Cheap T12 clone soldering stations

[bd139]

I've got one of the small ones but made by Quicko. I stuffed it in a bigger box and put a shitty boost converter in it so it always delivers fast heat up to the tip. Works nicely



And on the usual power supply:



Fuck off great big diode I put in there to stop me cocking it up gets a bit toasty though on initial warm up.

[thm_w]

Proper link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2018-New-Arrival-Aluminum-alloy-T12-handle-for-OLED-LED-DIY-Digital-Electric-Soldering-Irons-Set/32874257524.html

Not sure I'd want a metal one. The plastic one gets hot enough as it is.

If you've ever used a metcal handle its aluminum as well and doesn't really heat up at all. I think its all about the design and not the material exclusively.
Inside this T12 one there appears to be a plastic insulating material of some kind.

[TuxKey]

I've got one of the small ones but made by Quicko. I stuffed it in a bigger box and put a shitty boost converter in it so it always delivers fast heat up to the tip. Works nicely

And on the usual power supply:

Fuck off great big diode I put in there to stop me cocking it up gets a bit toasty though on initial warm up.

Do you mean this one ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MINI-T12-OLED-soldering-station-electronic-welding-iron-2017-New-design-DC-Version-Portable-T12-Digital/2954088_32839523934.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.726c79e8WLCUe2

Seems like the connector size is 5.5*2.1 and not 5.5*2.5 like the seller is telling me ..
i know the KSGER is a different name but u would think the differences are minim..
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KSGER-Aluminum-Alloy-Handle-T12-STM32-OLED-Soldering-Iron-Station-V3-0-DIY-Electric-Tools-Stings/32878522554.html

strange btw yours looks different.. i know the boost converter part is what you added i asume it's the red pcb with all the nice parts ;-)
yah 40+yr noob here hahah

[TuxKey]

i think i just found your unit..

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/QUICKO-MINI-T12-STC-OLED-Digital-soldering-station-942-electronic-soder-iron-with-9501-handle-power/2954088_32857152188.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.7b013d63sc9Gk1

[bd139]

Proper link: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2018-New-Arrival-Aluminum-alloy-T12-handle-for-OLED-LED-DIY-Digital-Electric-Soldering-Irons-Set/32874257524.html

Not sure I'd want a metal one. The plastic one gets hot enough as it is.

If you've ever used a metcal handle its aluminum as well and doesn't really heat up at all. I think its all about the design and not the material exclusively.
Inside this T12 one there appears to be a plastic insulating material of some kind.

I’ve used a metcal. This isn’t a metcal

i think i just found your unit..

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/QUICKO-MINI-T12-STC-OLED-Digital-soldering-station-942-electronic-soder-iron-with-9501-handle-power/2954088_32857152188.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.7b013d63sc9Gk1

That’s the one.

I've got one of the small ones but made by Quicko. I stuffed it in a bigger box and put a shitty boost converter in it so it always delivers fast heat up to the tip. Works nicely

And on the usual power supply:

Fuck off great big diode I put in there to stop me cocking it up gets a bit toasty though on initial warm up.

Do you mean this one ?
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/MINI-T12-OLED-soldering-station-electronic-welding-iron-2017-New-design-DC-Version-Portable-T12-Digital/2954088_32839523934.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.726c79e8WLCUe2

Seems like the connector size is 5.5*2.1 and not 5.5*2.5 like the seller is telling me ..
i know the KSGER is a different name but u would think the differences are minim..
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KSGER-Aluminum-Alloy-Handle-T12-STM32-OLED-Soldering-Iron-Station-V3-0-DIY-Electric-Tools-Stings/32878522554.html

strange btw yours looks different.. i know the boost converter part is what you added i asume it's the red pcb with all the nice parts ;-)
yah 40+yr noob here hahah

That’s the unit. Differences are likely minimal. The boost converter is indeed the red PCB. Think it was $2 or so. If you stuff it on a power supply that doesn’t source enough current it makes a sound like a squealing pig. I’ve got it on a 30A comms supply or car battery.

[TuxKey]

does anyone know what this is for
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Emulator-Downloader-Programmer-ST-Link-V2-STM8-STM32-OLED-DIY-Kits-T12-Electronic-Welding-Iron-Tips/1486111_32820881304.html?spm=2114.12010612/itm2home-1.0.0.3d5096f1bqlVp6

my first thought is that it's for firmware updating ??
but the seller of ksger mini model i showed mentioned a password.

quote:
 The soldering station display will not need the code,only when buyer want to crack the program,it will need the code.so i want to warn you,donot want to crack the program,i will not provide the code for you.
 
Donot ask me for the code.Because you are not honest buyer.

end quote ..

[TuxKey]

think i need to find myself an adapter set for all these different size plugs.. one that can fit over one size and make it compatible with others..

i would never buy a power supply from aliexpress hahaha..

btw these soldering tips on aliexpress same store as the one selling your soldering station..
Look awesome ..high grade ?? Just checked Hakko site and they also sell a Z type (Long Life Type) . these are around €17 or more in The Netherlands.
So the €6,50 is 50% less..now i really want to tryout one of these small units next to my TS100..grrrr only need to fix the power supply issue

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/T12-D16-high-shaped-tip-T12-Series-Soldering-Iron-Tips/2954088_32800374536.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.1e7d30b6OK3EpN

perhaps i can just remove the power plug unit and replace it with a 5.5*2.5 one ?? don't know if that's difficult to do..
Otherwise i just order the plugs needed to make a small extension cable with female plug so i don't need to cut my brand new meanwell power supply

[bd139]

Since i took the photos above I ground the shitty DC jack out with a Dremel and stuffed a pair of Anderson power poles in. Trying to standardise on them. I use a power pole to 4mm patch lead for it.

DC jacks are horrid.

I would never buy a power supply from aliexpress either. The T12s with the switchers built in are dangerous as hell.

[TuxKey]

Since i took the photos above I ground the shitty DC jack out with a Dremel and stuffed a pair of Anderson power poles in. Trying to standardise on them. I use a power pole to 4mm patch lead for it.

DC jacks are horrid.

I would never buy a power supply from aliexpress either. The T12s with the switchers built in are dangerous as hell.

i feel like such a noob never heard of "Anderson power poles" had to google it hahaha thanks for the learning moment..
first hit was this vid on youtube..
https://youtu.be/QzLvdR6X81k

[TuxKey]

@bd139 so i compared the model you have and the one i had on my list..
And i saw that the one yours had a couple of positive reviews on Aliexpress unlike the one i had on my list that had no reviews at all.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32857152188.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.22182e0eVjkYiI

one question is the iron ESD save , is there continuity between the tip and the grounding ?
i see only two wires connected to the jack but that doesn't mean anything.

One problem is that i don't have a 5.5*2.1 mm dc jack..
But i think that i found the correct jack so i could buy it an replace it ?
https://www.tme.eu/gb/details/pc-gm2.5/dc-power-connectors/ninigi/

or do you recommend this one a 3 prong one but then again how would i connect it ?? i think that's all to complicated.
And the first option would be the better one..
https://www.tme.eu/gb/details/fc681474/dc-power-connectors/cliff/

any tips suggestions ??

[bd139]

The tip was floating on mine. I connected it to the negative lead on the DC in which is connected to earth on my power supply. You could do that or stick a 4mm binding post on the back and bring it out to that. Then you can use it for both ESD safe and floating work.

That jack looks about right.

I’d go for the two pole jack and connect one side to tip or add a binding post so you can choose.

[TuxKey]

thanks    bd139

will add that jack to my order.. happy i waited with my tme.eu order.. because shipping is €9 ..i'm not getting the soldering station right away..
but i'm sure i'l get it later on.. so one or two of those jacks could come in handy..


The Quicko mini T12 942 with 9501 handle is €23,33 they say it's 30% off now..that sounds like a good deal.
The main reason why i want this station is because the chisel tip on my TS100 is way to big..
one of these tips would be awesome..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/T12-D16-high-shaped-tip-T12-Series-Soldering-Iron-Tips/32800374536.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.41b22e0eM8LwdM

[bd139]

I mostly use the K tip that came with it to be honest. Makes short work of pretty much everything.

[TuxKey]

The tip was floating on mine. I connected it to the negative lead on the DC in which is connected to earth on my power supply. You could do that or stick a 4mm binding post on the back and bring it out to that. Then you can use it for both ESD safe and floating work.

That jack looks about right.

I’d go for the two pole jack and connect one side to tip or add a binding post so you can choose.

so the quickest way to make sure it's not a floating tip is to see if there is a connection between the black wire (dc jack) and the soldering tip. that round connector next to the pcb..
just making sure i understand you correctly ..bit of a noob.just a it nurd..
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1nWpBdY1YBuNjSszhq6AUsFXaa.jpg

[bd139]

Yeah that assumes whatever you are connecting it to is grounded of course though.

[Calambres]

btw these soldering tips on aliexpress same store as the one selling your soldering station..
Look awesome ..high grade ?? Just checked Hakko site and they also sell a Z type (Long Life Type) . these are around €17 or more in The Netherlands.
So the €6,50 is 50% less..now i really want to tryout one of these small units next to my TS100..grrrr only need to fix the power supply issue

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/T12-D16-high-shaped-tip-T12-Series-Soldering-Iron-Tips/2954088_32800374536.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.1e7d30b6OK3EpN

I have that tip and it works very, very well. It's my most used tip by far.

[TuxKey]

Yeah that assumes whatever you are connecting it to is grounded of course though.

i figured as much. at least that's something i can check with my simple Lidl multimeter hahha.

[TuxKey]

btw these soldering tips on aliexpress same store as the one selling your soldering station..
Look awesome ..high grade ?? Just checked Hakko site and they also sell a Z type (Long Life Type) . these are around €17 or more in The Netherlands.
So the €6,50 is 50% less..now i really want to tryout one of these small units next to my TS100..grrrr only need to fix the power supply issue

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/T12-D16-high-shaped-tip-T12-Series-Soldering-Iron-Tips/2954088_32800374536.html?spm=2114.12010612.0.0.1e7d30b6OK3EpN

I have that tip and it works very, very well. It's my most used tip by far.

cool thanks for the info.. sounds good.. now it's even harder not to get this iron hahaha..
I used my TS100 a couple of times now and find the tip way way to big.. the equivalent would be the T12-D24 that's the smallest one they have.. for soldering true hole mechanical keyboards that's a tad to big.. you could manage but D16 would be better..
Already emailed the TS100 manufacture and told them this but i don't expect anything soon.. so this station with that nice tips 

[TuxKey]

one thing i'm curios about.. how does the standard handle 9501 perform ? does it get hot ..what's the added benefit of the new two times more expensive metal one ?? i think the price is a tad on the high side it's €20,38 while the soldering station with the 9501 costs €23,33

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32874257524.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.64072e0eqp5AD7


oh yah before i forget is it worth it to get a spare handle ?? i was looking around on Aliexpress if its hard to get a handle..
but to be honest i got a bit confused searching for 9501 also a couple of hits looked a bit flimsy to say the least hahaha 

[bd139]

I have a 9501 handle. Much nicer than the other ones. Gets a bit warm but that’s it. About same as my Weller WTCP handle. It’s much thinner, and you can get closer to the work and in all the right spots inside something than the other plastic body. Not sure I’d be happy with a metal handle; wouldn’t be nice to use for long periods plus may get hotter.

[thm_w]

one thing i'm curios about.. how does the standard handle 9501 perform ? does it get hot ..what's the added benefit of the new two times more expensive metal one ?? i think the price is a tad on the high side it's €20,38 while the soldering station with the 9501 costs €23,33

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32874257524.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.64072e0eqp5AD7


oh yah before i forget is it worth it to get a spare handle ?? i was looking around on Aliexpress if its hard to get a handle..
but to be honest i got a bit confused searching for 9501 also a couple of hits looked a bit flimsy to say the least hahaha 

The 9501 handle performs fine, fairly thin and handle is close to the tip. For me it doesn't get warm but I use sleep mode and haven't used it for an extended time.

The metal, without reviews there isn't a good reason to buy it. There is the potential for it to be even thinner than plastic and be more rigid (less flex if you are pushing with the handle), but wouldn't know until someone compares them.

[Calambres]

The 9501 handle performs fine, fairly thin and handle is close to the tip. For me it doesn't get warm but I use sleep mode and haven't used it for an extended time.

Ditto, and I have indeed used it for long periods of time without issues. I'm very happy with this soldering station.

[TuxKey]

Tahnks guys , i'm really curios about this station.. not because i can't go without it as i just got the TS100..

But besides this great forum there are no real easy to watch reviews on youtube.. comparing both.
i'm not a content creator hahaha but i like the idea of sharing affordable hardware with others so i think i'l order the kit and
change the dc port with this one
https://www.tme.eu/gb/details/pc-gm2.5/dc-power-connectors/ninigi/

This is my shopping list for this T12 clone am i forgetting anything ?? ps i'm going to ad $3 for an upgraded tip will add the link in the list..

base for the iron: €8,86
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Black-Hakko-T12-Soldering-Iron-Tips-Holder-With-2pcs-Sponge/32801890334.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.7cb82e0eepQtOv

station: €23,33
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32857152188.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.7cb82e0eepQtOv

thin high grade tip: €6,04 (i upgrade to it for $3
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/T12-D16-high-shaped-tip-T12-Series-Soldering-Iron-Tips/32800374536.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.7cb82e0eepQtOv


Total cost give or take €1 ..€35,19  ad to that €3 for the dc socket ..€39 well worth the gamble..
will order later today .. if i don't hear anything from you guys 

[hary]

Hi

Any chance we could power one of these iron directly from a 24V battery (which can sometime reach 29V when charging).
I mean directly, without the need of adding a buck converter ? (or boost as in this case)

I've got one of the small ones but made by Quicko. I stuffed it in a bigger box and put a shitty boost converter in it so it always delivers fast heat up to the tip. Works nicely



And on the usual power supply:



Fuck off great big diode I put in there to stop me cocking it up gets a bit toasty though on initial warm up.

[bd139]

It’s only rated to 24V so YMMV. Depends how close to the line they designed the thing.

Fundamentally it’s a voltage reg that powers all the digital and analogue stuff and then a switching MOSFET which turns the element on and off and that’s about it. The worries would be regulator power dissipation and the MOSFET used.