Difference between T12 and T13

[Dgouty]

In a general sense... The difference between t12 and T13 is the?
T13 is a little smaller in diameter?
Typically the tip length protruding from the holder is shorter?
Is T13 lower wattage?
Has anyone ever had both types in front of them?

[Dgouty]

I suppose I'm confounded as to what's the point to have both formats. Was searching for the reason for both formats to exist and assumed there must have been some kind of good reason I had overlooked.
Seems that the T12 standard would have sufficed.

[Shock]

I've redone my post as I was talking about both in the same breath and it's confusing.

Firstly for genuine Hakko go to their website all the dimensions are listed. The T12 and T13 (aka T17) are the same wattage and thickness but have different flanges they are not compatible. T13 has limited tip geometries compared to T12. The T13 are designed for N2 (Nitrogen) soldering.

There is no such thing as "standardized T12 or T13" in China. You get whatever is thrown in the box from where you place your order. They are not manufactured by one specific company and could be copies of copies with design or even material changes. So consider Chinese T12/T13 as only a generalized name for a tip design copied from Hakko. The Chinese T13 tips are shorter and the flanges are in different spots to the T12 so they aren't compatible either.

Hope that explains it more clearly.

[Dgouty]

Ahh. That makes more sense. Thank you.
So. Assuming Hako, T13 designed for nitrogen is likely more "fragile" from a material standpoint and won't last as long if used in regular air?
In terms of Chinese T13 it is a crap shoot and who knows.
I think I've got it.

[Shock]

I've never used Hakko T13 tips or their N2 systems. If you do a bit of soldering and are looking for a cartridge based station I recommend getting a Pace ADS200 over Hakko or messing about with T12 Chinese stations.