Can anyone recommend an affordable hot-air tool for SMD rework that takes 110V? All of the cheap options I could find were 220V only and wouldn't do low enough airflow for smaller parts.
Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
311–320 of 415 posts
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#312Earlier quoted context omitted.
Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html
Hakko fx888 is a good quality iron but quite outdated tech. The biggest downside is it doesn’t measure the temperature at the tip, but at the heater.
When I first bought mine I tried to adjust the temperature in what felt like the natural way to do so, without rtfm first of course.
Then I quickly learned that I had adjusted the temperature calibration. I reverted what I had done but now I am not confident about the temperature its operating at, at all. Seems a terrible interface design.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#313Earlier quoted context omitted.
We designed the system to work for people at a variety of price points. If you just buy the iron, you have access to all the settings in our web console: https://www.ifixit.com/fixhub/console The iron persists settings when you unplug it. You can change the sleep timer and timeout, set target temperatures, calibrate the accelerometer, and more. The Power Station is nice to have, but you don't lose any functionality w…
> If you just buy the iron, you have access to all the settings in our web console: https://www.ifixit.com/fixhub/console So how are you supposed to actually use that? I don't think there are any computers out there which can provide 100W out of their USB ports. Am I supposed to unplug the iron from its power supply, plug it into a computer, change the temperature, unplug it, plug the power supply back in, wait for i…
Here's an idea: get a USB-C hub that can use auxiliary power/passthrough charging/whatever it's called:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XF5489G
Make sure it can support 100W (that one only goes to 85W).
Plug one end into your PC, one into a wall charger, and one into your soldering iron.
If you want to solder such a thing yourself, there's USB-C PD data/power splitters sold in various places (it needs to be smarter than just connecting pins, since it needs to intercept the power negotiation), but I haven't yet found a part that is advertised to handle 100W.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#314I’ve got some Yihua station that replaced a Weller I used for 20 years. Towards the end, the Weller kept blowing through so many expensive parts, it was cheaper to get a Yihua. Frankly, it’s been incredible and a far better experience than the Weller ever was.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#315The 100w and heat resistant storage caps are nice, but that battery pack pricing and the lack of on-device controls makes this not an option for me. $110 cad for the soldering iron is semi-reasonable, if a bit high compared to their competitors. $342 for the iron + battery means that's a $230 battery pack, which is absolutely insane. Requiring the battery pack to be able to easily change controls means anyone doing m…
We designed the system to work for people at a variety of price points. If you just buy the iron, you have access to all the settings in our web console: https://www.ifixit.com/fixhub/console The iron persists settings when you unplug it. You can change the sleep timer and timeout, set target temperatures, calibrate the accelerometer, and more. The Power Station is nice to have, but you don't lose any functionality w…
Could you make a cheaper Power Station with an AC/DC converter and no battery? I will forget what temperature I set this at if I don't have visual feedback.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#316Soldering is one of those things where the tools you use have a direct impact on the quality and enjoyment of the work. Shitty $20 soldering irons from Home Depot not only produce awful results but they are incredibly frustrating. I’m pretty sure most people who think they suck at soldering and hate it only feel that way because their tool sucks. A good quality soldering iron and high quality, thin solder make a huge…
Flux, the secret is more flux.
> Flux, the secret is more flux.
And patience. As tempting as it may be, don't think "if I double the temp, I won't be waiting for this big joint to start pulling in solder".
good flux, clean/sharp tip and proper patience can take you a very long way! (a steady hand and good rubbing alcohol will take you the rest of the way)
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#317What's the draw of a portable soldering iron with fancy firmware? I have the same dial adjusted 120vac weller knockoff that I have had since the 90s and it has done board level repair, automotive, structural art soldering in a pinch, etc and always worked great.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#318Earlier quoted context omitted.
Be interesting to see how this stacks up to a good entry level iron like the Hakko FX-888DX. https://hakkousa.com/fx-888dx.html
Hakko fx888 is a good quality iron but quite outdated tech. The biggest downside is it doesn’t measure the temperature at the tip, but at the heater.
Can you suggest an alternative please?
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#319Earlier quoted context omitted.
Very interesting, I will check that out! And yes, if it seems like mobile browsers don't plan to add support then we'll have to look at wrapping it in a native app. I'm hopeful that smartphones will start supporting higher power output from their USB-C ports. The iPhone does 4.5W right now, which is (barely) enough to melt solder, but not enough to do anything with.
My phone only has a 16 Wh battery; I'm not sure I'd want it to dump 100 W out its USB-C port even if it could!
You could get almost 10 minutes of soldering with that!