Atten soldering stations. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 08:18:42 am
content: Hello everybody,I am relatively new to the blog and could not find the info for the atten soldering stations.If anybody owns or has used Atten ST-1203D and/or GT-6150P soldering stations some feedback would help me (and others).I know some info of this 2 soldering stations from the technical datasheets.Atten ST-1203D is 120W high frequency soldering station (Eddy current heater), has a small handle and cartridge portfolio and general cost is around 100€ ($120).Atten GT-6150P is 150W resistance heater soldering station ( 30W more is not much but every Watt count), has a larger handle and cartridge portfolio and general cost is around 300€ ($340).I would like to know about heat up time, cartridge longevity, general review, temp accuracy, thermal mass heat up and a tear down (of course if somebody did it already).I was looking at JBC soldering stations and they are too expensive to justify my need ( I do not solder daily). If there is some other soldering station brand or a clone could you point me to right direction.

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 10:28:33 am
content: Most would suggest looking at Hakko, or perhaps Weller, rather than Atten. The prices are similar and do you really need such "high Wattage" soldering stations?

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 11:26:59 am
content: I was looking into Hakko and Weller stations. If I am not mistaken only the RT series tips from Weller are all-in-one heater+tip cartridge and are only available for micro soldering.Hakko if I am not mistaken are using all-in-one cartridge that has a small thermal body. Also I would prefer higher wattage soldering station. I have been using them in the past (JBC HD-9B) station modified to support T245 handles and cartridges) and was pleasantly surprised with the performance of them. After that I moved to JBC DD-2B and JBC CD station and they were also great. Both of the general purpose stations where 130 - 150W. Fast heat up time, thermal stability when soldering bigger copper pours and/or large solder pads. And that is why I would prefer higher wattage soldering station.

author: BeBuLamar
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 11:36:37 am
content: Of course I don't know anything about it. Like others I have used only Weller and Hakko but on the website they do look quite good. I may want to get some of their battery power soldering iron. I rather buy a genuine Chinese product than an American or European brand that outsourced from China.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 12:04:04 pm
content: I agree somewhat with you. It is better to pay for genuine Chinese station that American or European (Made in China) if you do not use it often. I personally fall in that group. But if you are going to use it every day and make money with it better to invest in more expensive soldering stations such as Ersa, JBC, Hakko (I do not know all expensive brand).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 08:37:01 pm
content: Quote from: SmallHuz on May 19, 2025, 11:26:59 amIncorrect.A good 50W station is all I have used for years for any PCB work but it can struggle with massive terminals.Depending on the station selected, many Hakko compatible ones take these tips:https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B076QFH9QG?th=1You can find these ePay, Ali and almost everywhere.....

author: maralb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2025, 09:07:24 pm
content: Atten also sells the ST-1509 stations which are a bit cheaper as their GT 6150 series stations. I am using one with the N9100 tweezer with which I am happy with. This station can also be used with two types of soldering handles, one compatible with 150W and 130W Atten cartridges and another handle designed to use with 50W cartridges.Marco

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2025, 12:03:50 pm
content: So they are making separate tips from heater.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2025, 11:25:20 pm
content: You can move your thread to the correct section of the forum here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/where you'll find plenty of reviews and theads that already exist.Zero reason to buy a Atten GT-6150P for $300, you can get better stations with wider tip availability for less.Maybe some reasons to buy ST-1203D, the price is reasonable, but you can look at clone JBC alternatives as well.Watch some SDG video reviews:https://www.youtube.com/@sdgelectronics

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2025, 04:43:34 am
content: Don't listen to generic chinese shill comments.Facts are these stations are mass produced and change models often, so unless you are certain you know a brand and models track record you have no idea of reliability and performance.The chinese have tried to dominate the market with cheaper inferior products and now are starting to increase prices where you might as well pay more (even if means double) to get the real thing.To say or imply designed in europe or the states and manufactured in china to their standards is lower quality than chinese designed and produced and sold on their domestic market and online platforms is absolute bullshit.Most all domestically designed and made chinese stations are knockoffs of other designs or bastardizations of them.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2025, 06:04:48 am
content: Quote from: maralb on May 19, 2025, 09:07:24 pmThis sounds nice.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2025, 06:37:30 am
content: Quote from: Shock on May 21, 2025, 04:43:34 amAnd that why I am asking for some feedback.Quote from: Shock on May 21, 2025, 04:43:34 amI know speaking that Chinese products are superior quality than Euro or US made products is stupid and wrong. My motto is (especially for tools) if you are going to use it every day, invest in more expensive quality product, but if you are going to use it once a month or so buy cheaper option save some money for when you will need it.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2025, 06:38:35 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on May 20, 2025, 11:25:20 pmThanks for advice. I will search there for some info and will look into SDG video on JBC clones.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2025, 07:18:29 am
content: I would just avoid the Aipxun (or however it’s spelled) JBC clones, as they appear to have serious design flaws that could result in damage to components. And most of the reviewers didn’t notice this, and so many have given them glowing reviews, though the flaws are of the kind that should categorically disqualify them for electronics use.(The affected models can exhibit substantial voltages on the tip with respect to ground, and temperature control fails when the tip touches a grounded surface.)

author: maralb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2025, 02:09:24 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on May 21, 2025, 04:43:34 amI am not from ChinaI dare to say these stations are not bad for the money.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 09:13:57 am
content: Quote from: tooki on May 21, 2025, 07:18:29 amI have seen similar behavior with some Atten soldering stations. Some guy was using th GT-6200 soldering station with 2 tools as soon, as tips touched the MOSFET temperature controler and sensing started to fail.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2025, 09:14:39 am
content: Quote from: maralb on May 21, 2025, 02:09:24 pmThanks for the videos

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2025, 10:55:07 am
content: I bought a KSGER C245-C210 kit for around EUR 100. It's a bit silly I bought the C210 handle too. C245 is just fine for me.I like this station a lot. Tips heat up in around 5 seconds, and I also like the way the handle goes to a standby temperature whenever it's in it's holder. It's a simple electical connection directly between the iron and the metal of the stand. And it has a small control box. I don't have space for that big ATTEN thing.C245 are quite high power JBC tips (Starting at EUR 30) , and clones are widely available from China (Different brands, all around EUR 10). So you can start with a handful of clone tips, and when your favourite model wears out, you put in a JBC tip for that model. But temperature calibration may vary. There is also an extemely wide selection of C245 compatible tips on the market.I'm much happier with this KSGER then with my Weller PU81. The weller is only 80Watt, and takes half a minute to warm up. I have read some bad reviews about KSGER. Sometimes it apperently dies, and there may be safety issues with the electronics, but that's true with a lot of the cheap chinese stuff. C245 tips are also quite short, this gives you more fine motor control over the tip. The weller tips are quite far away from the handle, that's not so nice. I also very much like the tip replacement mechanism. You just hook the tip into the stand and pull the handle off, then push in another tip (which also heats quickly).Advantage of KSGER (or the other similar C245 irons) is that the control board is easily replaceable (around EUR20), and both PCB layout and source code can be found in git repositories. If you really want to go cheap or are space constrained, you can tap of the raw secondary voltage of your bench power supply, and use it to power your soldering iron. Or maybe use a generic 24V power supply such as the shiny Meanwell bricks, and then stow it away under your desk.I still have some doubts about the longevity of my KSGER, well see how it holds up over time. I still have the Weller as a spare.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2025, 01:21:44 pm
content: After looking into Geeboon and Aixun stations I am even more drawn to buy the Atten station. Geeboon stations do not have issues with tip voltage leakage and are more affordable than Aixun stations. Some Aixun stations have tip voltage leakage which right know is not a problem for me but sooner or later it could kill a device I am repairing or working on.Now the biggest problem for me. If I get Geeboon station can I use it with original JBC handles and cartridges. If so than it is done deal I will buy the Geebon, if not than the search continues.And also do does anybody know if AxxSolder 3 came up on the EEV Blog forum. At the glance seems great. I have to dig deeper into the Git repository.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2025, 09:42:35 pm
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on May 28, 2025, 10:55:07 amIt is kind of unnecessary middle ground sometimes. I only ever use C245 or C115 for tiny mods.Agree on smaller stations, no reason for these huge empty boxes.Quote from: SmallHuz on May 28, 2025, 01:21:44 pmIt is compatible with original handle and cartridge (C115, C210, C245), but not tweezers, and not H470 unless you get the higher power geeboon base.QuoteYou can google search and it will show up:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/axxsolder-jbc-soldering-controller/Its great if you want a project, but, if you want a working soldering iron to use out of the box, you can pay about the same and have that also.

author: SmallHuz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2025, 06:49:50 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on May 28, 2025, 09:42:35 pmFound it today. Search engine put the EEV blog on the last page of google search.Quote from: thm_w on May 28, 2025, 09:42:35 pmGreat. Thank you for the info. I will ask more about Geeboon stations inhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/50/.