Thermaltronics TMT-1000S soldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jamieson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 04:12:17 pm
content: Looks like Thermaltronics has a new RF/curie point soldering station, the TMT-1000S:https://www.thermaltronics.com/tmt-1000s.phpThis looks like a cost reduced, re-engineered version of the TMT-2000S which is a 470kHz system. Similar to Metcal MFR series or the older SP-200 system.The LCD display and small size is a nice touch. Looks like the power supply is now a 12V wall wart. List price is USD$125, or about $100 less than the TMT-2000S and $300 less than an equivalent Metcal station.Comes in three variants with different tips: P (smallest, metcal compatible), S (metcal compatible), and K (unique to thermaltronics)Has anyone tried one of these yet? IMO other Thermaltronics stations and tips have been solid alternatives to Metcal.

author: Jamieson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 10:42:22 pm
content: TMT-1000S

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 10:49:37 pm
content: If anyone knows I'm curious what the difference is between P, K and S-style tips. This isn't the three temperature variations either. It appears each type of tip end could come in 9 different configurations (K/S/P : 60/70/80) and the types are not compatible with other P, K or S handpieces or perhaps stations.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 11:54:59 pm
content: $125 for a new 50W RF station is a hell of a price.Supposedly 50W, as input power is 12V 5A, so RF output power should be in the 40-45W range if that is true.Quote from: bdunham7 on February 05, 2025, 10:49:37 pmIts a different handpiece/connector style. Yes K/S/P would not be interchangeable you can clearly see from the photos.If you own something that uses the same tips, then you'd buy that style. If you are just getting started and don't own any similar tips, I would get the cheapest one, which is the K series ($11/ea). Though the others aren't much more, $12 and $13.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 12:01:54 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on February 05, 2025, 11:54:59 pmI guess I'm mystified as to why they would produce three different series of tips and if there are any substantive difference between them.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 12:58:02 am
content: Quote from: bdunham7 on February 06, 2025, 12:01:54 amSee the explanation in the OP, they are equivalent to metcal models. So lets say you had an assembly line with metcal MFR-1110's, you can seamlessly swap out the tips and stations with the thermaltronics equivalent.https://www.thermaltronics.com/pseries_ref.phphttps://www.thermaltronics.com/sseries_ref.phpThey also haveHakko equivalents, but not a fan of those.

author: Jamieson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 05:05:33 pm
content: The S and P series tips are Metcal compatible, and the K series is unique to Thermaltronics. S and K series tips are pretty chunky, while the P series is quite a bit smaller and looks/feels more like the tiny Metcal tips used in their 13.56MHz series.And yes, $125 for a 50W RF soldering station is a great price. I've used the TMT-2000S (470kHz) and TMT-9000S (13.56MHz) stations in the past and they both have that "Metcal feel" where an iron rated for 40W or 50W can dump an astonishing amount of heat into a heavy ground plane without bogging down at all.I reached out to Thermaltronics to see if they have these units in stock in the US. If I can get my hands on one I'll do a tear down review here.

author: under2x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 07:37:03 pm
content: I'm just now thinking of getting a TMT-2000S or 9000S, can't decide. Now with the 1000S whats the point of the 2000, the specs are identical afaik. Maybe it can't run the tweezers?

author: krish2487
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 09:17:46 pm
content: Quote from: under2x on February 10, 2025, 07:37:03 pmThe 2000 is a dual port station... you can attach 2 hand pieces, though you cannot use them simultaneously..Would you rather invest in two stations or one ? :-)

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 10:16:49 pm
content: Quote from: krish2487 on February 10, 2025, 09:17:46 pmFor the same price I would rather have two separate stations, no need to switch back and forth, you'd get a spare handpiece, more redundancy, etc.But I can see some people might want simplicity.

author: under2x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 10:27:16 pm
content: I don't think you can use both ports at the same time on either the 2000 (unless you get the 22000) or the 9000 unless I'm mistaken. It's not well documented on their site.

author: Jamieson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 10, 2025, 11:07:26 pm
content: I'll take two irons over tweezers any day :-) The two irons can do everything the tweezers can and more, no special tweezer tips required, etc. etc.You can get 2 1000 stations for about the same money as one 2000 station, and about one third the cost of the true simultanious dual output 2200 station.The weirdly complex overlapping Thermaltronics lineup is now:1000: 470kHz single output, display, sleep stand, $1252000: 470kHz dual output (switchable), no display, no sleep stand, $2402200: 470kHz dual output (true simultaneous), display, sleep stand, $7705000: 13.56MHz single output, no display, proprietary T tips, $420, (what's the point of this one???)9000: 13.56Mhz dual output (switchable), display, sleep stand, compatible with Metcal MX family tips, $420

author: under2x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 11, 2025, 09:59:07 pm
content: I emailed thermaltronics and they said, "The TMT-1000S will be launching on Amazon in March."I needed something now so I picked up a 9000S, maybe I'll get the 1000 when I need a dual setup.

author: Jamieson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2025, 03:45:21 pm
content: Great news on the 1000S coming in March!You'll like that 9000S, every bit as good as a Metcal in my opinion. Got one on my bench as my daily driver.

author: under2x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 08:43:05 am
content: Quote from: Jamieson on February 13, 2025, 03:45:21 pmJamieson I've been using the 9000S quite a bit and liking it, but could you answer some questions? The load never seems to go above 52, is that normal? Also I got a power plus tip and it takes much longer to heat up than the regular tip, is that normal? I think I prefer the normal tips so far for what I've been doing. Thanks!

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 10:11:29 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on February 05, 2025, 11:54:59 pm125 dollars for the station, the stand and the iron.I would've liked it better to have the power supply built in, and have an universal 100-240V input. But I guess you cannot have it all. I'm surprised they even have a screen on it for this price.

author: Jamieson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2025, 03:56:54 pm
content: Sorry, I don't have any power plus tips to verify this.When the iron in in the sleep stand, the display is pretty consistantly showing 16 or 17. As soon as the iron is removed from the stand it momentarily jumps up into the 50-60 range, then settles back down. I'll put a wider chisel tip in there and heat some big metal stuff or a wet sponge to see how high it goes.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2025, 07:10:09 pm
content: Well, we're pretty much at the end of March. Any news on this thing yet? They don't seem to be interested in replying to my inquiries....

author: Zoli
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2025, 05:51:29 am
content: Quote from: under2x on February 11, 2025, 09:59:07 pmLooks like they've forgot to tell which year

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2025, 01:57:35 pm
content: Quote from: Arts on March 25, 2025, 07:10:09 pmAs they still have not seen fit to reply to my inquiries, I'll be taking my business elsewhere.If this is the effort they make to gain sales and increase market share, I shudder to think how they will deal with any future warranty issues.New company policy mandate: Don't deal with deadbeats!

author: under2x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 08, 2025, 08:47:14 pm
content: They responded to my email:"We are currently assessing the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions so we are delaying the release of the TMT-1000S.Once there is more clarity on the situation I will let you know."Elect clowns and get a circus.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 07:01:33 am
content: Quote from: under2x on April 08, 2025, 08:47:14 pmI wonder how tariffs effect international releases. It shouldn't.I think the days when you can buy the same products cheaper in the US might be over.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 08:50:42 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on April 09, 2025, 07:01:33 amAnything in NA would ship to USA first, so china export tariffs would effect that right? And I suspect most of their market is NA.Some smaller companies probably take the entire batch into USA, then re-ship from there.But yeah larger international companies would likely not have an issue.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 08:55:53 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on April 09, 2025, 08:50:42 pmThere is something called temporary import for those things.It's not something that a larger company knows how to do. It's something every single bookkeeper is supposed to know how to do.Why is everyone acting like import tariffs are some sort of magic thing that never existed before?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 09:11:03 pm
content: Quote from: tszaboo on April 09, 2025, 08:55:53 pmYes temporary import for USA seems not bad, 3 years:https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/entry-summary-and-post-release-processes/temporary-importation-under-bondBut the issue is not going to be on the US side, its going to be on the China side. The export tariffs are at their discretion. You can apply for exemption, but, I wonder how many get denied and how much work it is to do.http://english.customs.gov.cn/statics/7fb7fc01-c3ef-4d09-9ef2-8c69e3dba127.htmlThermaltronics is not that large of a company.

author: pincushion
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 11, 2025, 06:47:06 am
content: I notice the price now listed on the Thermaltronics website for this station has been bumped up to $160 - a 28% increase.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2025, 09:28:14 pm
content: Thats a bit disappointing, but it might purely be tariffs? Nothing on amazon yet.This site still has the old pricing £95https://www.ams-electronics.co.uk/shop/thermaltronics-soldering/soldering-irons/thermaltronics/thermaltronics-tmt-1000s-2-soldering-iron-station/

author: embern
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 18, 2025, 01:42:29 pm
content: Anyone tried this station yet? Absolutely no reviews or mentions of anyone have it online. I'm weighing it against Aliexpress options like a GEEBON TC22 or some other JBC245 compatible station.It's already available for purchase in the UK for £129 (£100 + tax):https://www.ams-electronics.co.uk/shop/thermaltronics-soldering/soldering-irons/thermaltronics/thermaltronics-tmt-1000s-2-soldering-iron-station/

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2025, 07:08:44 pm
content: I see these guys list it in stock- has anybody dealt with them?https://pcbasupplies.com/tmt-1000s-soldering-system/