JBC Clone ... Metcal's not alone - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 03:08:45 am
content: Yep, the chinese did it. WTFhttp://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fitem.taobao.com%2Fitem.htm%3Fspm%3Da1z10.3.17.29.7ec86%26id%3D9375227109%26

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 01:51:48 pm
content: Hah! Wait till you see the electronics inside!!!

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 02:12:11 pm
content: Thanks, at $270, you can get a real JBC in the US for $325.http://www.howardelectronics.com/jbc/BT-1BA.htmlIts the older analog version, but it has all the key features of fast heating JBC design, reliably built plus warranty. The price gaps are narrowing.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 02:30:31 pm
content: For $60.00 more you can get the digital version at $384.95. Janel cannot be beat on JBC prices in the US.http://www.janelonline.com/product-p/jbc-tools-cd-1bb.htm

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2012, 04:36:06 pm
content: Of course. IN US.Guess how much the JBCs go for here? 650. For the CD2BB/SB and like i said before i most likely wouldn't buy a JBC for now, why?you know you have a problem when you want a soldering station costs more than your scopeProbably when i get the DS4024 in the future why not also a JBC? Of course, that is money and money is preciousBut for krone's 336SGD, no thanks.

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2012, 10:55:45 am
content: Quote from: T4P on September 27, 2012, 04:36:06 pmFor the Aussieshttps://mektronics.com.au/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=4199&category_id=149&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=57$450 for the JBCCD-2BB

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2012, 11:03:12 am
content: Woah. Why the hell is JBC like the other companies?Just because we're 220v doesn't mean it has to be more expensive

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2012, 11:13:40 am
content: Quote from: T4P on September 28, 2012, 11:03:12 amYeah it sucks! I don't know if JBC and other companies charge more to the retailer or if the retailer is just adding more markup due to less competition in the marketplace. Probably a combination of the two.

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2012, 11:15:25 am
content: Same price for 230V in the US $384.95http://www.janelonline.com/product-p/jbc-tools-cd-2bb.htm

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2012, 11:32:30 am
content: Quote from: robrenz on September 28, 2012, 11:15:25 amI considered buying from them but the shipping made it more expensive than buying local. Thanks for sharing the video that helped me decide to get one by the way

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2012, 06:35:47 am
content: Quote from: cwalex on September 28, 2012, 10:55:45 amNot include GST!! Btw Mektronics are very friendly people, the founder? Was the first to introduce Hakko to Australia in the early days.tapatalk

author: cwalex
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2012, 06:53:55 am
content: Sorry, I missed the GSTBTW if anyone buys anything from mektronics check the clearance section. They have some nice CK wire cutters for $20exGST and some decent desolder braid for 50cents a pop.

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2012, 09:11:44 pm
content: I am not far to finish my JBC controller, but chinese overtake me.

author: poptones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2012, 10:38:40 pm
content: How is your customs there? Does everything go through customs?The shipping US to Australia on this thing would be about sixty bucks. It says above the thing sells there for 600.Crazy either way. There's one on ebay now for less than 300 US.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2012, 02:51:11 am
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 03, 2012, 09:11:44 pmVery interested in the controller you are making if not a joke.tapatalk

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2012, 07:22:35 am
content: I'm really thinking about getting myself a decent sized (like 1-1.5kVA) 230->120VAC transformer. I guess I'd have to pay like $150-200 for it, but it would quickly pay off as I could buy 110V stuff....Lol, maybe their salesmen think like: "ok twice as much VOLTS, twice the price"

author: senso
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2012, 09:02:32 am
content: I would say that the price differences are caused due to the stupid amount of taxes, fees, licences and whatever that we pay in the EU, things like recycling fees, VAT, customs, the ROHS non-sense...It is so stupid to see things in the US for x and the in the EU its 2*x + y almost all the time.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2012, 09:52:21 am
content: Quote from: senso on October 04, 2012, 09:02:32 amNot, it is not the fees, etc. It is companies thinking they can get a higher price in Europe, because Europe is rich, or at least has some rich countries.You can see that by looking at non-branded consumer electronics. Cheap as dirt, although the same rules and regulations apply to them.

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2012, 01:08:07 pm
content: Quote from: nukie on October 04, 2012, 02:51:11 amNot a joke. It is working on bare board, but I need fix many bugs.And I can't decide about display, which would I use, 7 segment LED or HD44780 LCD or graphic LCD.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 04, 2012, 10:56:16 pm
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 04, 2012, 01:08:07 pmOkay maybe I should order a few handle and tips now before they sold outI can't wait to see it. Goodluck!!tapatalk

author: bukin73
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 05, 2012, 08:08:04 pm
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 04, 2012, 01:08:07 pmI am very interested in DIY soldering station for JBC T245 handpiece. Could you share a schematic for JBC station clone?I vote for HD44780 or graphic LCD display.

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 05, 2012, 11:17:59 pm
content: Quote from: bukin73 on October 05, 2012, 08:08:04 pmIt's not a clone, own developSorry, schematic isn't exist even, only in my head but you can draw it back from test circuit

author: bukin73
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 06, 2012, 03:26:23 pm
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 05, 2012, 11:17:59 pmOK.Are you going to share hardware and software when the project will be finished? Or you have a commercial interest?

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2012, 10:11:23 pm
content: I think I'll share.But I don't deny I would like earn money, so I'll check opportunity of open source hardware.

author: Parak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2012, 11:33:33 pm
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 05, 2012, 11:17:59 pmThat is some pretty awesome work. Might actually make it relatively cost effective to get a jbc station on the cheap. Did you incorporate standby stuff and all, and have you been able to compare temperatures against the real thing?Monetizing it might be interesting, but I'd have no idea how JBC might view that.Laws vary. On the other hand, if you release it completely open, then there's the possibility of china clones picking it up. In any case, looking forward for more on this, as I'd love to have one myself

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2012, 10:23:02 pm
content: Quote from: Parak on October 15, 2012, 11:33:33 pmYes I would like to implement many good function and fortunately I have a solder temperature calibrator as I shown in other topic (here).

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 12:16:53 am
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 16, 2012, 10:23:02 pmWhat handle do you plan on designing it for? JBC? Hakko? Weller? Metcal?

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2012, 06:10:18 pm
content: Quote from: FenderBender on October 17, 2012, 12:16:53 amMetcal is excluded because the MX-500 handpiece (that is fit with RFG-30 and MX-5000 too) is working with 13.56MHz high power sinus, and I don't know RF circuits.First I planned design only for JBC and Hakko, but you gave me a good idea! Why I wanted to leave out Weller? Just minimal extra parts and it can handle Weller irons too.Yesterday and today I played a lot and I already finished the temperature sensor circuit and the source code to measure the correct temperature. My fianceé is helped a lot to find out the right formula, she is a math genius

author: Parak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 20, 2012, 03:24:36 am
content: Quote from: vzoole on October 18, 2012, 06:10:18 pmThat is an awesome thing. Is it possible to source the connectors for the relevant wands, or are those are entirely proprietary and have to be mangled instead? Also would need to figure out what would be the best one for the money as far as wand and tip cost/lifetime/recovery time/availability goes. It'd be a nice "problem" to have with something like this, where there's so much choice.

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2013, 11:41:33 pm
content: I'm not too far to finish the universal controller.Now I have to test all peripheries (LCD done).The majority of software is done, but I'll play a lot with LCD, because I have never used it before.(If somebody feel motivation to help, do not restraint.)

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 07:17:06 am
content: Hey vzoole,Where did you get JBC handpiece pinout? I mean I looked everywhere but there are hardly any informations of the pinout of type of connector used. Do you happen to know those things? I was thinking about making a controller for T245-A handpiece.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 08:24:55 am
content: Quote from: poptones on October 03, 2012, 10:38:40 pmAnything under $1000 is customs free.I'm now completely sold on the JBC iron. It beats the pants of the Hakko, but then again it would want to for 2.5X the price in Oz

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 11:59:56 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on March 28, 2013, 08:24:55 amAwesome isn't it, review time?

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 08:30:17 pm
content: Quote from: poorchava on March 28, 2013, 07:17:06 amJust some test and measure and done.

author: PChi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 09:41:11 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on October 04, 2012, 09:52:21 amUnfortunately import duties could be part of the problem why things are so expensive in Europe. That along with low sales volume. Clive Sinclair is reported to have complained that the import duty on components was higher than on completed product. So there was an incentive to manufacture overseas. Also in the UK 20 % VAT doesn't help.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 10:11:40 pm
content: Quote from: PChi on March 28, 2013, 09:41:11 pmBut they aren't. What about some facts instead of random speculation? Import duty for soldering equipment (TARIC 851511) is 2.7% from most countries to the EU, down to 0% from some countries.2.7% doesn't justify a 100% price increase. So doesn't 20% VAT. And it is not that other countries don't have import duties or VAT.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2013, 10:26:27 pm
content: Quote from: PChi on March 28, 2013, 09:41:11 pmStill is, I believe -- the RPi folks discovered this when they were trying to get their first production run going, citing it as one of the reasons they had to go offshore at first. Presumably the volume they ended up shifting helped grease the wheels a bit, perhaps in terms of production cost, as they seem to be still making a small profit now most of the boards are built in the Sony plant in Pencoed.(In Sinclair's day I seem to recall the duty depended on whether or not the components were destined for the innards of a television set or not -- build a TV with it, pay more -- although a quick glance through the current tariff doesn't show any obvious such consideration. It's hopefully changed, but I could just not be seeing it!)None of which takes away from Bored's comments, of course, in that the relevant figures make a pretty piss-poor excuse for the sort of premiums that we end up being charged...

author: PChi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2013, 12:47:11 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on March 28, 2013, 10:11:40 pmYou are correct, sorry for not supplying facts. I had a quick look for import duties but failed to find anything. For JBC I used Kaisertech and their prices seem OK.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 09:02:16 am
content: Quote from: vzoole on March 28, 2013, 08:30:17 pmOk, so outer sheath is ESD ground. Now How about sensing and heating? I suppose that heater is connected between "+" and "-". And according to general rumor, sensing element is the same as heating element, which allows for very aggresive PID and fast regulation. Is the heater some sort of thermocouple junction or rather RTD?

author: jahonen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2013, 10:25:29 am
content: The end of the heater forms a thermocouple, see dissected tips here (these links were posted here before):http://bbs.38hot.net/read.php?tid=28591http://bbs.38hot.net/read.php?tid=28468Regards,Janne

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2013, 07:24:56 pm
content: Quote from: poorchava on March 31, 2013, 09:02:16 amAnswer is here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/for-jbc-fans-out-there-jbc-tips-anatomy/msg150947/#msg150947