Technology

That is pricey... However, as someone who has an ifixit toolkit that contains just about every shape and size of screwdriver bit ever imaginable (and several that defy explanation), it has been the most useful tool I have ever purchased. I can't even count how many times I've used it.

And the quality is outstanding.

Soldering stations that are fixed to an outlet are also expensive. It's not a cheap tool kit. If it is cheap, it's a garbage iron that will likely do the job but you will struggle.

I'm trying to buy one for work and every station worth considering is easily over 200 dollars US.

I'll gladly pay a premium for something that will be "buy it for life" or at least last decades. Phones and computers have inherent obsolescence, but most tools don't. I don't buy chinesium tools, I buy reputed European, American, or Japanese tools, the lifetime stuff.

Does it matter if the products last longer than an apple product and can likely be repaired?

You're probably adding $25-35 to that for a USB-C power supply that can handle it, but yes, it's cheaper than this. $50-75 if you want it battery powered.

But yeah, I'm not sure what iFixit is bringing to the market that's better than what exists.

Considering that they sell one of those, I’m going to assume they’ve heard of it. ;)

I love my Pinecil V2. It was cheaper than my 40W entry level Weller station and heats up way faster. I run it off my Anker USB power supply and also my Anker USB power bank. The power bank only outputs 30 or 40 watts though so I might upgrade that in the future. High wattage power banks are expensive though :/

Those look pretty cool.

But I'm confused about the marketing around the cpu/ram, etc. Does that really matter for a soldering iron? (Serious question, not being snarky).

I get they're using that tech to make it adjustible/smart, but it's a soldering iron, not a pocket computer.

Is there some way those specs genuinely matter? Or is it just to say "we're using the latest tech to provide controls"?

This

you’ll need to grab the FixHub Power Station, the company’s new 55Wh battery pack.

Why bother with that when I can use my personal power bank that uses standard easily swappable/replaceable 18650 batteries? (remember those?)

That Pinecil has a 30 day warranty? Not a lot if confidence in the longevity of their product.

Have they not heard of the TS100 or the Pinecil?

Of course they have.

An iFixit co-founder has been responding to questions over on Hacker News:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41521919

Temperature is measured in Farads.
Very non-standard

I bought my soldering station with air solderer and iron solderer for about 40$ from AliExpress, the ones with IR bottom heater cost around 90-100$

It’s a multi-use battery.

The battery can be used to charge whatever you want. A phone, laptop, headphones, or anything else with USB. Also, the battery is user replaceable and the product repair diagrams are posted online.

IMHO, it looks like they’re practicing what they preach, and it’s all designed for longevity and right to repair.

I just blocked OP, "Ghostal Media", but I liken it more as essentially an adblock

Build a 18650 battery bank and plug in a pinecil or ts100. A solder iron with a 18650 would be heavy and uncomfortable for soldering.

It does not have an internal battery but can use any battery pack that can do 100W output.

I pre-ordered this for a few reasons. One, my experience with butane irons was very different than yours I guess. I hated how long they took and how finicky they were. Then I had to find a safe place to put it while it cooled. This has a cap that can handle the high temp with no issue.

When I need a portable iron it's to do small quick soldering with long waits in between. This seems perfect for that.