Why you don't want to buy Aixun T245 tips

[tony359]

I went to use one of my Aixun 245 tips. I used it a few minutes then realised I needed a bigger one. I used the station's tool to pull the tip out of the handle and the tip of the tip (!) fell off.

Pretty awful construction.

[thm_w]

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/any-opinions-on-the-aixun-t3a/msg3644575/#msg3644575

Some genuine JBC tips look like shit inside too, don't think anyones ever reported falling apart though: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/axxsolder-jbc-soldering-controller/msg5124267/#msg5124267

[elektryk]

On IMG_8435.JPG aren't that 2 pieces of metal or is it only chamfered edge?

[tony359]

@thm_w

On the first link the pictured ones look like clones though!

The one which has been grounded shows a small void - not great but at least the rest of the tip seems to be bonded well.

@elektryk
no, it looks like there are two pieces pushed in together for even worse thermal performance. No wonder that tip performed so poorly.

[thm_w]

@thm_w

On the first link the pictured ones look like clones though!

The one which has been grounded shows a small void - not great but at least the rest of the tip seems to be bonded well.

Yes the first link is clones demonstrating the same thing you've seen here.
Thats the question though, is it bonded via compression in the same way the clone does it? Or are they using some superior method.

@elektryk
no, it looks like there are two pieces pushed in together for even worse thermal performance. No wonder that tip performed so poorly.

But the real JBC tip is the same no? It has an outer wrap of silver metal, then an inner core of plated copper. Though the clone appears silver colored inside, which may mean they plated the entire tip, which makes thermal conductivity between the core and the heater a bit worse.
Maybe you can grind the tip down a bit if you feel like looking into it further.

[DavidAlfa]

Yeah I also had this same issue, the performance was terrible since the beginning, the tip wiggled a bit, after 1 hour it fell off.
Only genuine JBC!

[tony359]

@thm_w

Well, I wouldn't say they're the same, no You can clearly spot which one is the clone here (1 out of 4 - all JBC tips coming from the UK official distributor)

[GnomeZA]

Some genuine JBC tips look like shit inside too, don't think anyones ever reported falling apart though: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/axxsolder-jbc-soldering-controller/msg5124267/#msg5124267

I'm not quite seeing the part where the JBC tips "look like shit inside too".  The construction looks really good on that tip you linked to?

[tony359]

I think he's referring to the small air gap which shouldn't be there.

[thm_w]

Well, I wouldn't say they're the same, no You can clearly spot which one is the clone here (1 out of 4 - all JBC tips coming from the UK official distributor)

Yes that helps to see, clearly the genuine crimp process is done very differently, thanks.

Some genuine JBC tips look like shit inside too, don't think anyones ever reported falling apart though: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/axxsolder-jbc-soldering-controller/msg5124267/#msg5124267

I'm not quite seeing the part where the JBC tips "look like shit inside too".  The construction looks really good on that tip you linked to?

The air gap is right beside the thermocouple. Either they are using some gap filler in there (worse performance), or the production process is not perfect and this is a defect. Compare to the C210 one which is essentially perfect, direct thermocouple to copper contact.

[elektryk]

Here are some pics of OSS tip. At the begining it performed well but after some time I've noticed some small scratches (1) which probably were introduced by brass wool or component prying and then solder dissolved some copper inside the tip (2) which obviously butchered heat transfer.
In contrast to Aixun it was crimped well and I needed Proxxon to grind it.
And as well as other tips showed in this topic it also has a small air gap too (4).

These are good tips for <4 bucks incl. tax and shippment, maybe I have to introduce wet sponge which I had used previously with T12...

I think it is also time to try genuine tips but is there any benefit from replacing handle?

[tony359]

The thing is that I started buying Hakko tips about 7 years ago. I have a good selection. They all work. They're not damaged. I think they were £17 each more or less.

If you dilute that £17 over 6 (and many more!) years, it's nothing and you get excellent performance every time you need to solder.

I'm hoping JBC will do the same for me

[GnomeZA]

I've only bought JBC so far but I'm wanting to try something like this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005376387811.html
I haven't seen those from JBC (and omg, can you imagine the cost)
The convenience of being able to de-solder a whole connector row or dual wielding to remove a multi-pin chip using a chisel tip like that is really appealing.