Can I replace solder iron handle in different soldering station? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: BChT
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 09:37:09 am
content: Hi everyone! Noob question here, I'm wondering if it is possible to connect a solder iron handle from different soldering station to another. I'm asking because I saw a soldiering station without handle in auction, but the handle itself costs like 50 bucks on amazon, so I'm wondering if I could buy cheap handle from another station and connect it together, will it work? I suspect that it might have different voltage for heating element and be designed for different thermocouple, but is there a way to make it work?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 11:15:03 am
content: There’s no one answer. Some stations have practically identical control, others are radically different. But it’s almost certainly not worth the effort, just get a proper replacement.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 01:55:03 pm
content: You can't match just any soldering iron with drive electronics from another brand.The minimum you'lll need is to re calibrate the temperature, and if you don't do that carefully you may destroy the element the first time you power it.For some time I've been very interested in the TS100. I'ts a relatively low priced iron but of decent quality (It's partly cheap because you have to add your own power supply, but you're into electronics right?)A problem with the TS100 however is that the elements are too long. Short elements result in less hand shaking at the tip. An even bigger problem with the TS100 is that there are not many different tips available. I think 10 sizes or so.If I were to buy a new Iron now, it would be one of the Hakko clones from China. Just type "T12" in your favorite chinese shop. These things start as kits you have to assemble yourself from below USD10. There is a significant difference in quality though between those things, so do not just buy the cheapest you can find.There are plenty of tips for the T12 available, and they go far into the handle, so the stickout is also relatively short.Another advantage is its standardisation. If something breaks (electronics, casing, cable, handle) then there are plenty of spare parts available for low prices.

author: BChT
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 03:50:40 pm
content: Thanks for the replies! I think I will stick with my old soldering iron for now and maybe buy a proper soldering station later, but thanks for the help anyways.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 05:54:41 pm
content: That is likely a good idea. A good soldering station is a great thing to have but they are costly. I've gotten by for years with pretty crappy irons. Depending upon your interest you will also find out that irons are like DMM's, you will end up need more than one.The other thing with auctions is that you never really know if the unit you are buying works correctly so you can end up repairing the controller as well as paying for a new iron handle. In the long run I really think most people are better off buying a soldering station where they can get parts locally or at least mail order easily. There are a lot of expendables when it comes to soldering irons. I say this due to having to depart with an iron I couldn't get parts for.So if you do go online or mail order, choose a respected manufacture that has many channels of sales. There is no reason to buy stuff from a manufacture that doesn't have wide distribution.Quote from: BChT on March 03, 2021, 03:50:40 pm

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2021, 02:15:39 am
content: It depends what the soldering station is. Designs based on a resistive heater and thermocouple or thermistor are relatively easy to find alternate parts for, compared to more exotic ones that use RF heating and such.Quote from: Doctorandus_P on March 03, 2021, 01:55:03 pmThe same is true of the 936 clones, which are still available in large quantities.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2021, 05:53:42 am
content: A complete soldering station of ok quality can be had for under 50 USD. I went with one of the Hakko 936 style stations but I'd get something that takes T12 tips if I were to do it again.

author: perieanuo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2021, 09:07:35 am
content: Quote from: BChT on March 03, 2021, 09:37:09 amyes, for sure, if the sensor is the same (for example, k thermocouple) and the power for your heating element is same or smaller then the original oneof course, there are stations with some power reserve regardibg the heating element, study carefullythen the wiring should be respected, that's alli produced soldering irons with integrated pcb control with j/k thermocouples, any j or k thermocouple/heating element combination were good for that pcb if they respected the power transistor output limits (we were in 0-60W margin). there are no miracles or complication like others people here think