USB-C soldering irons...

mclemore

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I'm curious what luck people have had with soldering irons that don't plug into a wall.

I see ones on Amazon that connect to a battery pack:


And some truly cordless ones with little (ok none) temperature control...

And now iFixit has a new one too:

 
I have used the Milwaukee one. Before it keeps breaking on us, it works fine.
 
Exactly what I was thinking. Would be the perfect thing for quick field repair.
 
I have one that has a dc barrel jack and has a USB C and it heats up much faster on the DC with the DC adaptor brick. It is a super small brick. When I tried to use it with a USB C cable it did not perform well. It could have been the power pack I was using but I used the best one I had. Below is a link to the one I have, and I use it on the bench all the time.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MDTO6X7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
 
I just bought one recently that I saw at Microcenter. It's a genuine Hakko [FX-901]. Completely cordless. Runs on 4 AA batteries. I stuck in some rechargeable ones that I had, and it performed well at an Expo I attended where I was lead tech of the Arcade section. Worked great in a pinch when I had to repair a couple of control panel button switches. Heated up fast, worked great, and it wasn't bulky. It also has a safety cover that you can put on when it's still hot once you turn it off. Best part was that it didn't break the bank. $34.99.

[Edit: Search for FX-901 on Amazon or your favorite online store and it will pop up.]


Hakko 901 portable.PNG

Del
 
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I saw people using these at VCF Midwest. I was like whoa, USB, really? and they were like yeah it's awesome. lol

I just bought one recently that I saw at Microcenter. It's a genuine Hakko [FX-901]. Completely cordless. Runs on 4 AA batteries. I stuck in some rechargeable ones that I had, and it performed well at an Expo I attended where I was lead tech of the Arcade section. Worked great in a pinch when I had to repair a couple of control panel button switches. Heated up fast, worked great, and it wasn't bulky. It also has a safety cover that you can put on when it's still hot once you turn it off. Best part was that it didn't break the bank. $34.99.

[Edit: Search for FX-901 on Amazon or your favorite online store and it will pop up.]


View attachment 768184

Del
I have one of these. it was gifted to me by someone significant. didn't have much in the way of luck with it so it just sleeps in my rolling toolbag.
 
I use a TS-80P and it's fantastic. Actually I have 2. When using a USB-C AC adapter that provides
12 volts the thing heats up in 15 seconds if not faster. I mostly use a USB-C 10000mah battery pack
that provides 9 volts in USB-C. I've got a couple 12 volt rated packs but the high current draw at 12
volts doesn't last long. With 9 volts the iron is usually ready to use in 30 seconds.

The tips literally unplug so I can swap out between fine point or chisel depending on the job.

I used to use the butane irons but I do mostly remote service and they just never last more than
a couple of months with the kind of constant soldering I'm doing.

My only gripe with the TS-80P is the USB-C connectors are cheap and don't last long as they
should. I've replaced 2 already but the replacements seem a lot more durable than the stock
connector.
 
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