Is it worth getting another JBC? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Esposch T. Tapir
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 02:08:04 am
content: Hi guys, looking at getting a second soldering iron for my small business and wondering if it's still worth going with JBC these days.This will be used for probably an average of an hour or so each day - way more than a hobbyist but not quite production level.Love our JBC CDB, and considering another, but at the same time it's hard to ignore the 70% cost saving.Have heard some mixed reviews of the Aixun/Aifen irons (Mainly that the tips are no good, and certain models aren't compatible with genuine JBC tips).Is there anyone out there with a Chinese iron as a daily driver (not hobbyist use)?How do they hold up? Tip compatibility issues? Pain to get parts for? Which models to look for and which to avoid?Thanks!

author: Fried Chicken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 03:56:39 am
content: An hour a day easily warrants the expense, assuming you're expected income is 1st world

author: forrestc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 04:59:11 am
content: Quote from: Esposch T. Tapir on February 04, 2025, 02:08:04 amDoesn't directly answer your question:I don't know where you are in your business journey, but assuming you've gotten to the point where the higher price for the JBC iron isn't a big deal, just buy an identical workstation to what you already have. We're a PACE shop so we were in the same place a while ago and just bought another PACE.I'm a big fan of buying the cheapest thing which will work, but I've also learned over and over that once you get something that works and isn't so expensive that it hurts to buy copies that it just isn't worth gambling on other alternatives.I'm not familiar enough with JBC's consumables, but does JBC have multiple stations compatible with the same tips? If so, you might want to consider whether what you already have is correct for the two locations you will have them, and buy a cheaper/more expensive station that uses the same tips.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 05:17:37 am
content: IMO it would be better to get the same again and leverage commonality of tips.But there are of course cheap chinese irons that support the JBC tips, but you have the make sure there are no issues there.As Fried Chicken said, an hour a day is pretty heavy usage, so I'd go for quality.

author: Esposch T. Tapir
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 10:55:39 am
content: Thanks for the responses guys, ordering another JBC this weekend!

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 11:29:45 am
content: Quote from: Esposch T. Tapir on February 04, 2025, 02:08:04 amI’m glad you’re going to take people’s advice and get another JBC.The cheap clones have myriad issues, like some Aixun models having stray voltages at the tip FAR in excess of what it takes to damage many parts. Is it really worth the risk of ruining product to save a few hundred bucks on the station? What’s your time worth when you have to track down the cause of the product failures? Etc etc etc.