Genuine JBC tips quality - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2024, 09:19:45 am
content: Hi all,Last year I purchased a genuine JBC station and tips. I didn't want to compromise on quality.After a year, my main solder tip needs replacement already. I've used it about 3 hours a week. I never used stupid temperatures and I've looked after it properly. Because I am mostly removing SMD capacitors, I also use a HAKKO tip simultaneously. That HAKKO tip was purchased ages ago and it's still doing great.The JBC tip has now developed some spots where the solder does not stick anymore. Unfortunately one of those spots has developed at the very "tip of the tip" - making the tip itself pretty useless as I can feel that solder is struggling to melt.I emailed JBC's distributor here in the UK - where I purchased the tip - and I was told that JBC would not look into that as the tip has been used a lot.Is this what I should expect from a C245 tip used for 12 months?? JBC ones are expensive. Maybe I should consider knock-offs? Or are they all wearing out so quickly? I have about 15 HAKKO tips I've purchased over the past 10 years and NEVER had to replace anything.EDIT: To be fair, I now remember that I initially used that tip on the Aixun T3A which tends to massively overshoot when ground is in the way. I remember seeing the T3A showing 450C+ temps at times (that's when I looked into the issue and decided to buy a genuine JBC station). It would only happen sporadically and for brief moments but I suppose it cannot be good for the coating.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 12:04:49 am
content: Tip doesn't really look that bad. Hard to tell for sure from the photos but I don't see any actual pitting, unless what you are pointing to is a pit in the end?Try using tip re-tinner or some very fine grit sandpaper (1000), and see if that will let the solder wet the surface again or not.And yes, try some clone tips, since they are not expensive $3-9 each or so, just as a comparison.What temperature do you normally run at?

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 12:18:35 am
content: Not easy to tell from the photo, but the tip should easily last for a decade or more with that level of use. I use them at 330 deg C, but sometimes at 350 deg C.In a decade, I've never had to replace any JBC tip (apart from a crazy-tiny 0.x mm one (it was either 0.2 mm or 0.3 mm) which was my fault, I slammed the tip end accidentally into a desk while it was hot.I have a faulty JBC station too, which I believe might have been caused by accidentally inserting a clone tip into the handle. I'm not sure though. I have thrown out the few clone tips I have, to not make that mistake again (the clone tips came with some USB soldering irons).

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 08:28:18 am
content: I've never been impressed with JBC C245 tip lifetime. I tend to buy 2 or 3 at at time and keep them in stock.Fortunately I'm being paid to solder things, so even though they're £25 each it's just a cost of doing business.

author: Hydrawerk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 08:23:38 pm
content: You might try the C245E Cartridge Range with Extended Life Tips.https://www.jbctools.com/c245e-cartridge-range-extended-life-tips-product-1867-design-iron.htmlQuote

author: marck120
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2024, 09:45:27 pm
content: Opinions are quite discordant, in your opinion what is the average life of a JBC tip ? I understand that it is difficult to make an estimate, assuming you solder about 30 minutes a day, do you confirm that the tip can last up to ten years ?

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 07:29:03 pm
content: Yes I've noticed that there are many opinions about JBC tipsI usually keep 365C on my station but once again I used the T3A a couple of months and that had the bad habit to overshoot to 500C at times.Yes, those black spots are pits where solder doesn't stick anymore. To re-tin I tried the following:I try to cover the tip with leaded solder, clean with brass wool, repeat 3-5 times. Those black spots don't take solder anymore. I now always feel that solder does not melt when I'm touching it with the tip.10 years is probably what I'd expect from a quality tip.Edit: picture with microscope attached. Definitely pitted. JBC refused any warranty claiming the tip is "heavily used".

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2024, 11:39:18 pm
content: OK thats a really good photo, clearly the plating was eaten through, your only option with that tip would be to sand it down and electroplate it which is not so difficult but not worth most peoples time.So main option here is the long life tips mentioned above or clone tips.

author: marck120
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 04:44:45 am
content: My concern about the life and cost of the tips is related to the choice of the station I should buy, if I can decide, ERSA i-CON Nano MK2 vs JBC BT-2BQAFrom the photo you posted you can see a real chasm, since you asked for the warranty to JBC I think you bought the tip recently, now the new long-lasting tips claim that they last 5 times longer, I don't know if anyone has already tried them.Some say that the average life of a JBC tip is about 1 year, if it's true it's difficult to say since you have to understand if the tip is used correctly following all the necessary precautions, the problem is the cost obviously, assuming that a user has to buy three tips every year the cost becomes high, I know it's not recommended but I've seen Aixun tips used on JBC stations, obviously the performance is not the same as the original tips.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 08:39:29 am
content: I tried the 'extended life' tips, but didn't find much if any difference.If you're that concerned about tip life, just buy something that's not JBC. There's plenty of other options out there.

author: woody
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 10:00:21 am
content: I find it difficult to establish the average life I get out of JBC tips. My soldering station is switched on most days and sometimes used for hours on end. Temp usually set to 380C, or anywhere between 320C and 400C. I do change a lot between finer tips like C245-006(906) and C245-044(944) and much heavier tips like the C245-785. I buy maybe 1-2 tips a year, largely to have them available when I run into one that is no longer soldering well. And every once in a while I'll buy a special tip for a special purpose. In the 15 years I owned JBC tools I ditched maybe five tips that became really unusable, so I have quite the collection of older, not perfect but still usable, tips. I am a bit of a hoarderThey might be bloody expensive but I find that JBC soldering tools perform good. Tips are a consumable and, as@AndyC_772said, just another business expense. I spend more on the lead-free solder I use them for.

author: marck120
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 01:24:20 pm
content: I agree with you, it is difficult to estimate the life of a tip, there are too many variables, however you use the tips very intensively, you told me that you still have old tips of 15 years, so they have resisted a lot, my hobby use is much lighter, in my case I do not need special tips, I think two tips are enough, a thin one for the Arduino components and a thicker tip to solder the rheophores and some cables.Regarding the costs I checked all the various shops, a basic JBC tip costs me about €45, €30 for the tip and €15 for shipping, in my case I do not think I need to buy one or two tips every year, the soldering I do is not a source of income, so the expenses are not repaid, I think it is like this for the majority of hobbyists.The cartridge tips Metcal, Thermaltronics and Pace are much more resistant, I wonder why JBC does not use the same materials for their tips and lowers the prices a little.@AndyC_772, I evaluated all the stations, with a budget of €300 I don't see much choice, if you have any advice let me know.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 06:22:36 pm
content: I have used this tip more than my Hakko ones - I use it probably 3-4 hours a week. But I've had the Hakko for 8 years and they still look brand new. One tip in particular has been used in tandem with the JBC since I got the JBC: the JBC tip is dead, the Hakko looks brand new.So I'm hoping that the Aixun "fried" the JBC tip over those two months I used it. Otherwise JBC tips are a waste of money... I'd not expect 10 years lifetime but maybe 3-5 yes.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 07:06:34 pm
content: You soldering iron tip looks of significantly different color shade up to a certain point on the shaft (see inset photo) compared to mine. Perhaps that was caused by the Aixun over-heating it, as you mention.The photo shows a couple of tips I use.. I use the top one more frequently (it is a spoon tip, but I also tend to use it for purposes where a large bevel tip would normally be used, I'm lazy at swapping it out; I've had that tip for maybe eight years. The lower tip is newer (maybe a year old).Also, FWIW, I always use steel wool to clean them (I've not used a wet sponge on any of them); I doubt a sponge would cause damage, but just mentioning it for informational purposes.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:45:14 pm
content: I'd imagine once the tip reaches 500C ONCE, it's probably not good for it!I think I read around that wool is better than a sponge. Interesting. I tend to use the sponge. Someone (you?) also recommended the steel wool. I have it but I never used it, I use the brass one. I thought the steel would be too aggressive?Thanks for that though, I should get the replacement tomorrow. I can try with no sponge and see what happens.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2024, 11:55:52 pm
content: Same here, I also bought both kinds of wool (plus a sponge) back when I first started with JBC tools. I too was worried that the steel wool would cause damage, but since tips were cheaper back then, I decided to give it a go, and 10 years later, I'm still using just the steel wool, so I don't actually know what difference there is with the brass wool since I've never used that. For production volumes the tip life difference may be noticeable between brass and steel I guess.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2024, 12:43:33 am
content: Yeah don't use a wet sponge.Tips are generally iron plated, so theoretically steel wool is a bit harder than iron and could scrape it away.Probably in reality the forces are so low and the wool is so flexible that it doesn't cause much wear.I still would only use brass wool as its cheap enough, works well, and proven to be safe.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2024, 01:39:51 pm
content: What puzzles me is that I ALWAYS used a wet sponge on my Hakko tips. For decadesAnyways, new tip arrived today. Let's see how this behaves. Thanks for all the tips, literally

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2025, 11:17:38 pm
content: Here we go, another genuine JBC tip bites the dust.This time it's a 245770 - it's a large one I use, say, 10% of the time. My station says I've used it 88 hours. So let's say this tip has been used for 9-10 hours. Is that the expected lifetime for a JBC tip???Same issue: the tip coating has failed so there is no more thermal transfer. See microscope pic.If I was using this 8 hours a day as in a business environment, would I need a new tip every other day???

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 03:02:57 am
content: It might be worth discussing 1:1 (maybe over the phone) with the JBC distributor that you purchased from in case they can identify anything that could be causing these issues, e.g., perhaps their other customers are having issues with that same tip model. Clearly, something is very unusual, but I don't know what.The screenshot shows I ordered soldering tips on four occasions in as many years (on a trust basis, of course, but I can assure they were not repeats for failed tips, and I didn't have more than a couple of different tips inside each order). Like you, I only order tips from a known authorized genuine tips source.

author: Fried Chicken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 03:51:51 am
content: It's hard to beat Japanese reliability...My 2nd-hand Hakko tips are going strong after years ahaahahahah

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 03:56:19 am
content: Quote from: Fried Chicken on February 04, 2025, 03:51:51 amVery good. But how is that comment in any way useful for the problem at hand?

author: gljuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 07:29:29 am
content: Maybe the high temperature is the case? Or you are using acids perhaps?The only tip i had to replace was 245-034. But it was used 90% of the time and lasted, i dont know, 50...100 hours of intensive work.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 09:43:22 am
content: The UK distributor accepted to get it back for assessment this time.I don't use acids - but wondering if maybe the flux I am using has something to do with that? But that would be scary for the PCBs as well!Quote from: gljuk on February 04, 2025, 07:29:29 am100 hours are like 15 days of intensive work, 8 hours a day?I started buying my Hakko tips 10 years ago. None of them has ever shown issues.I'd like to understand whether this is a "feature" of 245 tips because they heat up so quickly. I love the "quick swap" feature but I might also consider swapping the 245 station for a Hakko FX-951 if that means my tips will live much longer. I can wait those extra few seconds every time I change a tip! That tip is £32 here in the UK!Fair enough, I've been using the soldering iron much more for about a year now - but I use the JBC along with the Hakko when I remove SMD capacitors. The JBC is used more but the Hakko tips I'm using are always in perfect shape. Shiny and tinned like new once cleaned.Let's see what the distributor says but I am not holding my breath here.

author: gljuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 10:26:55 am
content: I dont solder 8 hours a day. The tip lasted for half a year. After that it needed replacement. Used for, maybe, 2 hours a day. I could be wrong with 50 hours... I had also feeling, that it could last better. My Weller LT tips had at least double life.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 10:35:39 am
content: 2 hours a day 5 days a week are 270 hours in 6 months.I've always done soldering as a hobbyist, now it's a bit more commercial and never considered the lifespan of a tip given that I never had to replace my Hakko in 10+ years.The thing is that this last tip which failed is a large one I only use on large solder joints so I'm surprised it's failed so badly after so few hours of usage.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2025, 10:22:24 pm
content: Quote from: tony359 on February 03, 2025, 11:17:38 pmJust for reference what is the flux?You can see what looks like a chunk flaking off at the bottom. Makes me think defective plating or not thick enough, contamination, etc.Ignoring the jbc renders and looking at the photos here it doesn'tappearto have sharp edges and has radiused corners:https://www.tme.eu/en/details/jbc-c245770/soldering-tips/jbc-tools/c245770/so I would expect it to be reasonably plated. No need to be ultra thin in spots.Quote from: tony359 on February 04, 2025, 09:43:22 amThinner plating is one of their "features" yes. But it shouldn't be this bad.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2025, 09:06:29 am
content: I'm using one of the many "kingbo" flux from China. I know it doesn't really exist, the brand is a fake/generic one and you get what you get. But I use a specific seller which has been more or less consistent. It smells ok, it works ok.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2025, 06:22:21 pm
content: Tell JBC you are using fake flux and see what they say.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 09:07:07 am
content: Maybe.But if that was the issue, why my Hakko tips - which I use alongside with the JBC and are 10 years old - still look brand new??

author: eleguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 10:45:21 am
content: I have used JBC tips (Normal/C245 and Tweezer/C120 series) now for 5 years and none of them has failed so far. I never run tips higher than 350C. I also try to use JBC TT-A tip tinner somewhat regularly. Not sure if latter is a big thing but at-least solder melts nicely after the treatment. Maybe fast wearing is rather a temperature related "feature"? Or could some soldering tin be more or less friendly to the tips?I had bad luck with the tweezer station itself but it got replaced couple times by JBC and is now fine. I am mostly happy with the JBC quality. The only thing I don't like is that tweezers - specially the smallest ones - are too hard to align and don't keep their alignment as I would wish. Well... got used to that.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2025, 11:38:53 am
content: coincidentially, I was going to order a tinner myself.I usually run my tips at 360C - I'm doing some repair work at home so I am definitely using them a bit. Say 7-8 hours a week. The station is set to go to sleep after 10 or 15 minutes.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2025, 07:27:18 am
content: Probably combination of running hotter, usage habits, flux and the amount of plating JBC uses. Hakko like Pace are not heating as aggressively near set temp. I've only every really heard of JBC and certain models of Weller having problems with plating (I mean aside from chinese rubbish) perhaps they used chinese factories.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 11:18:48 am
content: Almost 2 months later the JBC distributor for the UK sent me the tip back claiming it went back to JBC in Spain and "it's fine".Seriously? The below tip "is fine"? And nobody cared to get in touch with me before just returning the tip to me implying I just don't know what I am talking about?The outer coating of the tip has peeled off after a few hours but the tip is fine apparently. I am livid.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 11:00:33 pm
content: Do they have a quote or email from JBC Spain at all?Maybe try contacting them directly.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2025, 11:18:15 pm
content: Clean the tip in the wet sponge more often, flux leftovers will oxidize the tip, also never let it build up in long soldering sessions, I usually clean the tip every minute or so.Flux isn't very aggressive at 350°C or so, but at 400-420 °C the flux will burn off leaving a black residue that will damage the tips, it's pretty hard to recover the tip later on.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2025, 08:31:25 pm
content: @thm_wYes, good idea, I might want to send JBC a mail directly. Not holding my breath though.@DavidalfaI was recommended NOT to use a sponge. I stopped using it some time ago. I use the brass wool. Of course I clean my tip very often.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2025, 09:57:24 pm
content: I've got one of JBC's powered brass cleaning brush devices. It makes cleaning the tip quicker and easier, but hasn't significantly affected tip life one way or the other.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2025, 11:22:44 pm
content: I mostly use the sponge, leaving the brass wool only when there's black crust or oxidized solder.If any, the brass will be more aggresive on the tip.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2025, 03:46:18 pm
content: I cannot remember whether here or elsewhere I was assured that the brass wool was the gentler way to clean a tip 🙂

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2025, 05:18:38 am
content: Brass wool for soldering tips is recommended by soldering manufacturers (who also supply it).If you clean semi frequently and keep your tip tinned it seems harder to oxidize your tip this way than with a sponge (may just be my process though).It doesn't thermally shock the tip as much so reduces the chance of plating wear. The brass is not very abrasive, as long as you don't cheap out and get Chinese fake brass wool, you should be fine.On micro tips I'd consider using a kimwipe or some other soft dry wipe method. On large removal tips I use the Pace fiber cleaning tool 1100-0232-P1, it works well for larger tips, odd shapes and is also not overly aggressive.The main thing is when the tip has no solder on it or just steam cleaned over and over with the damp sponge, unless you reapply fresh solder the entire tinned area it gradually oxidises and using the sponge becomes ineffective.Not cleaning the burnt rosin or glassy flux creeping down the tip will also increase the cleaning difficultly to the point where there is little tinnable surface free and even brass wool won't easily scrap through it.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2025, 09:22:41 pm
content: Quote from: tony359 on March 29, 2025, 08:31:25 pmCorrect, ignore what david is saying.Quote from: DavidAlfa on March 29, 2025, 11:22:44 pmNo, its a very soft metal so not sure why you would think that. Ditch the sponge.

author: DavidAlfa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2025, 09:45:01 pm
content: I've never had any issue with the wet sponge.My JBC tips lasted for years of daily use at 350°C, eventually the very end of the tip wore out, but it was after 5 years!If it was a bad thing then why does every soldering station on earth have it?Do you know more than huge companies investing millions in R&D?What kills it is the bad practice of delaying the sleep time, leaving it at 400°C for 5-10 minutes.When you clean the tip and place in the stand with a proper sleep setting, it'll cool down quickly and won't oxidize, even if it sits at 200°C all day.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2025, 12:02:00 am
content: Quote from: DavidAlfa on March 31, 2025, 09:45:01 pmWhere is the R&D that they've said sponges are better? JBC advises to change the sponge often and use deionized water, do you do that?Its obsolete technology, old timers cling onto it for some reason, so companies cater to them by including a 5c sponge instead of rocking the boat.https://www.jbctools.com/blog/best-system-cleaning-tips/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/recommendations-for-replacement-soldering-sponge/msg625120/#msg625120

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2025, 12:31:24 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on April 01, 2025, 12:02:00 amDude, seriously ?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2025, 01:01:56 am
content: Elder abuser in the making there.

author: tony359
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2025, 09:52:40 am
content: another identical JBC tip (bought from the distributor) failed within 6 months, same issue, the very top layer peels off at the tip. JBC already stuck their head in the sand when I sent the previous tip saying it was fine.This time no sponge and no weird Chinese station overheating it.It's not my main tip, I use it for larger items. The tip is £25 new. I really need to find an alternative supplier.