Bakon BK950D soldering station for beginners, my opinion!! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 11:33:03 am
content: After reading several threads on general advise for a beginners soldering station, apparently the Bakon BK950D looks like a good candidate, so I bought one myself and give it a try. (also the heating element of my Weller WSD81 decided it was time to retire...)I made a short video with the unboxing and first impression.Enjoy my ItanglishI've used it for the last month (almost every day!!!) , for what is worth i'm pretty impressed and it does what I need.I think the T12 cartridge will push it a step ahead of the usual Hakko 936 commonly suggested for beginners.The only downside I can think of is the absense of a decent stand and the overall quality can't be the best for 25Euros.I'll let you know how long the tips will last and if it will explode in the next few days

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 06:02:32 pm
content: i think the included tip is random.mine came with a 45' cut tip like you prefer, friends have received them with a "K" type knife tip.so people should be ready to buy more tipsbtw, it wont explode.first thing i did with mine was open it for inspection - soldering and parts layout is really nice.

author: vltr
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 06:43:51 pm
content: I absolutely love mine, bought a couple genuine hakko tips. Well worth it. I relegated my Weller WES51 to portable use now and use this one as my main iron.

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 08:19:10 pm
content: Thank you stj, I bought it after reading one of your comments on this soldering station and so far I'm happy with itRegarding the tip I think it just depend on the seller.I bought mine e from GearBest when the price was really low (now is almost doubled) and the spare " HAKKO " tips from Bangood.I see that now it is available also a variant with a different hand piece, someone tryed it?I agree, it will not explode, I also opened it and there is nothing wrong in it.Just to be clear I can't call myself a beginner but I shared my opinion on a device that can be a game changer for the low price/good performance soldering stations due to the use of the T12 cartridge.I think it meets quite well the needs of a beginner/experienced hobbyistsMauro

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 08:25:14 pm
content: Just looking at the current ebay listings. Some now say T12 cartridge and some T13. Ithinkthese are functionally interchangeable but I'm not sure about the difference in Hakko specification. Does anyone know off-hand?EDIT: Hmm according to the Hakko site, the T13 has a threaded collar - either the T13 is wrong or the photo is wrong in those listings.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 08:58:22 pm
content: T12 and T13 are not physically interchangeable - not safely.T13 cartridges are much shorter.avoid them - stick with the T12.

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 10:11:28 pm
content: Looks like the different hand piece I was referring to is meant to be used with the T13 tipsLike this one:http://www.gearbest.com/soldering-supplies/pp_363024.htmlThis is mine and it is made for the T12 tips:http://www.gearbest.com/soldering-supplies/pp_337484.htmlMauro

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2017, 10:18:50 pm
content: seen both those at banggood with the same wording!damned expensive too.i got mine from aliexpress for £19 inc post!!

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 11:05:33 am
content: I measured the signals provided to the tip by the Bakon BK950D during warm up and operation.This is a short video of the test.Looks like the tip is receiving a PWM and most probably it is not really visible on my test because it is smoothed out.BTW I don’t like that between the 2 sides of the tip and ground I get almost 200Vpp.I hope I didn’t make any obvious mistake since I did the measure so quickly and I think I have to go back to further investigate.Enjoy my Itanglish

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 11:30:39 am
content: This is the setup.At the end I think I found the only possible use of the almost useless stand provided with the soldering station

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 11:35:39 am
content: This are some screenshot from the oscilloscope where you can see the siglnals and the math channel showing a bit better the PWM.AFAIK, unfortunately the Math function of the DS1054Z is calculated from the screen menory (thats why I can't hide CH1 and CH2) and it is not the best.Most of the spikes are just not there as you can see on the last screenshot where the PWM is better rapresented.Mauro

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 03:39:20 pm
content: wrong method,ground is just for static disipation.you should have used a single probe with the tip on one side of the element and the ground clip on the other side.

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 05:17:53 pm
content: Here you goOh, come on the method is not wrong, the poor man differential probe is always safer playing with an SMPSMauro

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2017, 06:21:28 pm
content: so that's the answer to the speed.they are using 19v instead of 24vmaybe it's using an off-the-shelf laptop transformer in the psu.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2017, 11:05:04 pm
content: My Bakon measures 19.45V output, yeah. I believe going over 20V might require some change, because typical power FET gate can't take more than +- 20V.I just got a new T12 clone to play with. Suhan 616-A1. It was even cheaper than my $27.00 Bakon. And...the supply on the 616-A1 outputs 24.5V.Not only. It seems to be getting the power to the tip. From a dead cold start, a conical tip will solder in 10 seconds. Bakon is more like 17S. The stations are essentially the same size, but the 616-A1 is heavier.It looks like quite a more complicated switcher in there. A heavy chunker wrapped in laminations of plastic and shielding and which just fits the interior of the case. (Out of my league here, but at first glance, it looks like the typical laptop supply, whereas the Bakon switcher looks way more simple.)Also, it comes with a 937 style handpiece which takes T12 tips. And it fits in my 888 stand. (The handpiece comes with same connector as the Bakon, and they interchange.)I haven't actually give up making my own, yet. I've burned out one tip and one PIC so far, trying to make my own controller with triac drive. (And probably spend $35.00 on Mouser, just on the shipping, lol). I can read at the zero. I can power it. I just can't do them at the same time. When the power goes on, the reads at the zero are getting skewed. I am still trying to clean that up and I have a few more ideas, still. I hope to not have to limit duty cycle to do reads. I've got diode clamps on the opamp input. Then a small inductor and 22pF cap LC circuit. Next, I'm going to try actively zeroing out the line for any transient/residual under the Vfd of the clamping diodes, just before taking a read, by clamping the opamp input to the rail with signal FETs for a few uS.Maybe I just need to throw the Triac away and use SSR or back to back MOSFETs. That's how all the cool kids are doing it.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 01:06:25 am
content: ssr's have zero-crossing circuits that will get in the way, and triacs are too slow anyway.just use the T100 drive circuit, it's very simple and elegent - and consider using something better than a pic!

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 01:10:20 am
content: Ssr dont all have zero crossing circuits. Triac seems plenty fast enough, on the scope. And i can get clean readings when it is off, so i think it isnt leak current but maybe transients. PIC are great. What is T-100? I dont need a drive circuit. I need to learn more about reading/filtering very tiny voltages. And cleaning up emf and transients. And calculating low pass filters.Making DC drive circuit is easy. BTDT. You can pause as long and as often as needed to get a clean read. At this point, it's mostly for the challenge of doing it. With transformer output. I will probably finish it, even if I have to drop every Nth half cycle while powering, to get a clean read. But it would be nice to get this working so I can use T12 tip iron without direct grounded tip for safety reasons of a switcher possibly blowing up. Even the Chinese feel like this is safety issue... the warning tag on the Bakon says the outlet must be grounded and your hands must be dry or you will die, pretty much, lol. If it was just about the power, the Suhan is already finished and it is like 20 bucks, lol. I already spend more on Mouser shipping, buying this or that, trying to improve my DIY approach.BTW, the Suhan analog is nicely done. The knob has physical arrow on it, not just a painted line, so you can feel where it is without looking. The LED is bicolor, changing from green to red when heating. The calibration on the dial is fine. It has a cal pot, and I haven't bothered to touch it. The Bakon is calibrated fine and has good enough power output for just about anything... So no problem, there. But I like the Bakon UI even less than the 888, lol. The unresponsiveness of the buttons while cycling the (unchangeable!?) presets is terrible. The display on top of the brick is also kinda dumb. And only in China would you have two buttons side by side, and left is up, right is down (but this is the least of my issues with the UI.)

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 01:50:24 am
content: sorry, meant TS-100

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 09:12:24 am
content: Quote from: KL27x on July 12, 2017, 01:10:20 amI was thinking this was getting too expensive at this point but nothing can beat the DIYHope you'll enjoy the journy and will finish succesfully your projectThe Suhan 616 is more expensive than the Bakon BK950D, are you talking about the DIY kit?Where you got it?QuoteAt first I had the same impression on the UI but I got used to it and now I don't mind it at all.Regarding the display, since I attached the station to the wall it is just in the proper position and I saved the space on the bench.Recently I was thinking to hack the firmware to add some specific functions like the self sleeping mode after a time out and found the following forum where apparently someone already modifyed the firmware.If this will work you will be able to chenge the UI as you desire.Bakon BK950D russian forum with firmware hack (at the bottom of the page)https://mysku.ru/blog/china-stores/34035.htmlMauro

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 10:31:20 pm
content: Thanks. I might have to try a new firmware.I got the Suhan from eBay. Chinese seller - saymlove (haha). I just checked price, and it was $24.5, free shipping. And he has more for sale, at least to the US. The Bakon was $27, free shipping. Both came with a tip and no iron holder. I see some other Suhan for more, but they come with a stand.The Suhan handpiece is kinda bad, though. It's the same handle as 888, but with a slightly longer grip to tip and with the super light, flexy T12 shaft that is not a good thing. The bakon handpiece is all wiggly, but at least it has one thing going for it... the short tip to grip distance.TBH, I don't think any T12 station is going to take over as my primary. Even with the 24.5V psu and 10s time to melt solder, the Suhan with its "full 951" power does not change anything. Performance with specific bevel tip is slightly, better, yeah. Heat up time is slightly faster, yeah. But it does not improve anything for what I do, 99% of the time. And I don't like the light weight or flex in the tips. What I was hoping to see is that with fine pointy tips that there would be improvement. And as far as I can see, there is none. I believe the BCF3 tip performs so well because well.. it is a BCF, which I can't even get for 888. (For 888, I got CF3, which has a much longer and skinner "stem" and performs essentially the same for 99% of what I currently do.)But we'll see. I just finished building an iron holder. And it hasn't caught on fire, yet. So I can use it more often. I don't have a wall to fix this too, and with the current firmware it is unthinkable to mount it somewhere where I can't see the display when pressing buttons and nothing happens.* So this what I came up with for now. I can use it as secondary iron or move it around the bench. Or just put it away when I'm done playing with it, lol.*count how many times he presses the button to change from P1 to P2.I wish I knew what he was saying.https://youtu.be/A04arMxDLI0?t=381

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 11:37:26 pm
content: that handle is a conversion on a 900m type handle.i hate those!https://www.banggood.com/DIY-T12-Soldering-Handle-for-HAKKO-T12-Solder-Soldering-Iron-Station-p-1167386.htmlfunny how it's cheaper built than a kit!https://www.banggood.com/Replacement-Soldering-Iron-Handle-for-DSK-T12-D-Digital-Soldering-Station-Kit-p-1140669.htmlhakko clone.https://www.banggood.com/T12-Soldering-Handle-Set-Electronic-Soldering-Iron-220V-70W-for-FM2028-Soldering-Iron-Handle-p-1153991.htmland bakon sparehttps://www.banggood.com/Soldering-Iron-Handle-with-T12-Tip-for-BAKON-950D-75W-Soldering-Station-p-983015.html(too bad it includes a tip)

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 12:01:38 am
content: ^Do you own stock?Funny on the timing. My GF just walked in and handed me a package. It's my knockoff FM2028 handpiece.Edit: Short tip to grip. No wiggle. Now it's getting interesting.Edit: And it fits my stand, exactly like the Bakon.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 12:08:23 am
content: too bad it has a crap din plug on it.i noticed that a long time ago, all chinese irons use locking "microphone" type connectors, not always the same pincount of course.expensive stuff like Hakko, Weller etc, used nasty cheap shit!

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 01:08:08 am
content: I have no beef with the Hakko din connectors. Even the non-locking 888 one. I have never pulled out the connector. But for a portable iron with light weight stand (that might fall off a bench or something... on second thought why wouldn't you want the plug to fall out in this case?)Anyhow I just took the connector off the one handpiece I didn't like. I notice the same 3 wires, the same 3 colors. But I wisely check the connections anyway, and lucky I find that on this 2028 "inspired" handpiece, they put the green wire on power and the red wire on earth.... and then I proceed to somehow mix up the green and black wire when soldering it...Re "microphone" plugs, I am not digging that the power side has the male poins. That seems backwards. Not that the switch/FET would be closed unless the thing is plugged in, but still...

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 01:59:59 am
content: the connector polarity is pretty common.if you think that's bad, i'v seen it done with some hot-air units exposing mains on the pins.

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 08:50:51 am
content: Nice wooden stand, even though I don't like the exposed tip specially when you reach for the power switchI like also the wooden bumper, that is my preferred cleaning method of the tip, not that sponge/woole rubbishActually I think the hot tip don't like to be bumped so often (I bump the handle not the tip), but I got used to it and it is hard to change.Digging in the russians forums I found the schematic of the BK950D and so many useful pictures/infohttps://shopper.life/bakon-bk950d-nebolshaya-payalnaya-stanciya-s-payalnikom-t12-8753.htmlhttps://shopper.life/portativnaya-payalnaya-stanciya-bakon-bk950d-9658.htmlhttps://mysku.pro/blog/china-stores/40868.htmlhttps://mysku.ru/blog/china-stores/34035.htmlhttps://mysku.ru/blog/discounts/44292.htmlI will add an external power plug to my BK950D to use it with an external DC 12-24V power source, like car/multicopter/laptop/drill battery and convert it to a super cheap TS100Mauro

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 04:05:23 pm
content: interesting mod to get 24v!have to investigate that, try to get it into 100% clear english.then clean it up a bit.24v into a 7805 - hell no, i dont want to use the case as a pre-heater!maybe a micro switching regulator module.and pushing the transformer from 50w to 70w - a fan is a must.

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 09:41:10 pm
content: I can't find the post, but in the russian forum they already discussed the replacement of the 7805 with a micro switching module like the one attached.Someone also replaced the output capacitors and the mosfet.Personally I'm fine with the internal 19V for normal use, but the external input could be really useful for battery use.My main interest is on the firmware mod.I often leave the station unattended and to have a self turn off after 15-30minutes if the temperature do not change because I'm not soldering, could be nice. With the press of a button I'll have to wait only 15 seconds to be back in business.It could be also something smarter that could drop the temperature at 180 after 15 minutes and turn it off after 30. In this way it should be possible to detect that you need to solder again touching some solder joints and rise back the temperature immediately.Mauro

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 09:49:00 pm
content: QuoteThanks for the compliment. I made "v2" for my other station a bit differently. This one is deeper than needed, putting the sheet metal closer to the tip and pulling quite a bit of heat. But boy is it solid this way. There's no wiggle at all.QuoteI'm sure that will bite me once or twice before I finally fix it, lol. Another thing is I looked up the autoignition temp of wood. It's not very high. Ranges into the low 200C. And charred wood/charcoal as low as 180C. So I'm not recommending it, yet. But the sheet metal does act like a pretty good heatspreader/sink.QuoteIf you're talking about that "rosin board" to the left of the station? Basically a sheet of FR4 over a piece of wood. I use it to pick up and deposit solder. And sometimes small parts. For cleaning, I don't bump the tip, personally. To remove excess solder, I just touch the tip to the board to refresh the fluxiness if/when needed. And I swipe or air stab to fling the bead onto the board, where it breaks up into little solder balls, which I pick up and use, later. Right now it's been picked pretty clean. But whenever I pick up all the short ends of solder wire which I have used/lost/abandoned, I drop these on the board.No this isn't something that I do out of stinginess to use up old solder. It is amazing for smd work, esp if you use large CF tip. This is quick way to get the right amount of solder on the tip for drag solder or for tiny joint. For my other station, I even put a rosin board right on top of the station (Bakon has the display and button there!)FWIW, I love the brass wool, myself. This is easy to way remove some of the crusted/burnt flux from the tip while working. I scrape with brass tube for the deeper cleaning.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2017, 10:09:44 pm
content: BTW, I LOVE the 2028 handpiece. the foamy grip part makes is comfy to hold farther back or up close, and it holds the tip tight. It's half the cost of a complete Bakon station, though, lol.

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 01:02:14 am
content: FYI, I found a way to take the slop out of the Bakon handpiece.The reason the tip is held so loosely is the longitudinal plastic ridges inside the handpiece are tapered for easing the insertion of the tip. There are two concentric ridges on the tip, itself. And the one towards the tip is still sitting in the tapered/relieved area by the time the tip bottoms out.If you unscrew the middle of the handpiece about 1/10" to extend it, the tip is held more securely. I machined a 1/10" thick hdpe washer to sit in the middle of the handpiece. This takes all the weeble wobble out of the tip. I suppose you could alternatively grind away about 1/10" off the plastic nub on the bottom of the tips, themselves, if you use only a couple of them. There should be enough room to do that without making the contacts misalign.To get even more grip, I slit the business end of the handle with a (very thin) saw and taped it shut with kapton tape to close up the kerf, then slid the rubber piece back over. This prevents the tip from falling out when pinching the tip with a paper towel to clean it. Or from spinning around if pressing just so.I'm not sure if the handpiece is going to melt, yet. But it feels great.The plastic piece that goes inside moves around a bit, but it doesn't affect anything. I don't know if I will bother making a spacer/washer for that bit.

author: bbass408
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 01:54:41 am
content: Does anyone have a reliable source for the Bakon 950D that really comes with a T12 handle and tip (not the T13 mystery tip).They're almost all coming from China which gives a long lead time to find out you got the wrong heater. I ordered on eBay and got the old bait and switch trick.Maybe the right solution is build my own with the OLED display and a separate purchase for the handle and heater.

author: bbass408
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 02:19:28 am
content: I love responding to me...Since I have the Bakon power supply/controller, why not just get a real T12 handle with a mating plug and use that until it craps out. Then I can make one of the nice OLED controller boxes and try to learn simplified Manarin as a side benefit.

author: mauroh
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 11:17:08 am
content: I got my BK950D one year ago and it came with the correct handle, but if I'll ever need to replace the handle I'll just buy a FX-951 clone handle and replace the connector.You can easily find it looking for FM-2028 FX-9501, on Banggood they call it FX-951.Mauro

author: bbass408
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 06:16:26 pm
content: Thank you.