Cheap T12 Soldering Station DIY Kits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dicky96
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 08:38:29 am
content: Hi GuysHas anyone tried one of these cheap T12 DIY kits?https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Electric-Unit-Digital-Soldering-Iron-Station-Temperature-Controller-Kits-for-HAKKO-T12-Handle-DIY-kits/32835471800.html?spm=2114.search0204.3.17.473e20f3xM2C0U&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10065_10068_318_10547_10891_319_10548_317_10696_450_10084_10083_10618_452_535_534_10307_533_5025915_10820_532_10301_10821_10303_204_5728215_10059_10884_323_324_10887_100031_320_321_322_10103_5727015_448_449_5727515-10891,searchweb201603_55,ppcSwitch_0_ppcChannel&algo_expid=d07d37cd-0aa8-4aa8-8228-c5565fe430d5-2&algo_pvid=d07d37cd-0aa8-4aa8-8228-c5565fe430d5Says it has features such as programmable sleep mode, select your display colour, and select the tip you want to receive with the kit. Loads of programmable temperature parameters....plus if you assemble it yourself then you know if it is safely wired.And it's very cheap with free shipping to the UK for example.It sounds like a bargain, So..... are they worth a look? Not much money to risk I guess.Rich

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 08:55:26 am
content: Be wary, that thing is missing a power supply.QuoteIf you have some big 24V PSUs handy, then by all means it's a great option. A 12V PSU will likely 1/4 (or sim) its power output. Otherwise: it's just as expensive (or more so) than everything else.(Yes it looks prettyI like the case)

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 11:25:45 am
content: Voltlog described one of those kits inhttps://youtu.be/25rww-pXqr0

author: dicky96
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 12:00:21 pm
content: Quote from: Whales on October 25, 2018, 08:55:26 am@whalesAhh sorry there were many similar listings and I didn't realise the link I posted was without the PSU. This is the same kit (apart from is ABS case instead of aluminium) but includes the PSU at the same low price, 22.90 GBP inc postage to UK for example. The PSU for the metal version is 8.27 GBPhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Electric-Unit-Digital-Soldering-Iron-Station-Temperature-Controller-Kits-for-HAKKO-T12-Handle-DIY-kits/32790086981.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.9.750a20f3LyRt4j&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_318_10547_10891_319_10548_317_10696_450_10084_10083_10618_452_535_534_10307_533_5025915_10820_532_10301_10821_10303_204_5727018_5728215_10059_10884_323_324_10887_100031_5728715_320_321_322_10103_5727518_448_449-10891,searchweb201603_55,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=56d48fe0-f11b-4212-9281-797d6193737f-1&algo_pvid=56d48fe0-f11b-4212-9281-797d6193737f&transAbTest=ae803_4Hows that one look?

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 04:25:58 pm
content: I use a 900M tip wielding clone. It's OK, and it's a lot less advanced than yours.Things I can forsee going wrong:Power supplyMy unit uses a traditional wound transformer and nothing else. Your PSU is a switchmode unit.What concerns me is that the "new" PSU they advertise looks like a cost-down of the old PSU. Massive reduction in capacitors, for one.Good to see there's protection components on the input. There's not as many as I'd like, but there's at least one of everything. Make sure no parts are missing when yours arrives: compare to the photos.Otherwise: there's no way for me to tell the quality from here. I'd have to hold and investigate it. Luckily: 24VDC is a common voltage, you'll be able to find other options if something blows up. A beefy 20V laptop adapter would also do if needed.Tips and ironGet spares and keep them in a drawer.I'm on my third iron if you count both replacements and repair rebirths. Everything including the tips, heater, handle, cord and connector have died at some point. These parts are cheap, and it's a pain to try and repair a soldering iron if you don't have another soldering iron handy

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 09:58:46 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/cheap-t12-clone-soldering-stations/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/t2-soldering-iron-clone-kit/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/t12-clone-vs-888-practical-test-results/