3) That is almost always true
4) That is not so true, you always need dissemble and check, but with that unit you will not have grounded tip, because you lack of earth connection, DC jack only have + and -, seller is maybe refering to GND, tip is connected to GND but that is not the same as earthed. At best you need to connect GND to Earth on the PSU
5) They are.
You can use T12 tips with TS100 with a small 3d printed part. Don't know if recent units have the mosfet problem but so far i haven't seen any on the units i use or sell.
I don't know why that station is so expensive, maybe because of the handle? Never seen or tried that handle but it can make the difference.
Please note that TS100 is not earthed either at best they are connected to GND, and is only ESD safe if you use the screw and a power supply with the earth connected to GND.
About TS100 tips you can try the 2mm conical tip B2, or TS-I, they are good for small things
Thanks for your help sn4k3.
a while back i saw Louis Rossmann review the TS100 and he mentioned the Grip for Hakko tips.
but i was afraid i would damage the mosfet.. still there is a way to replace it if it does.. but then i would need a second iron hahaha..
here is the thingverse link for the 3d printed part.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2739632i downloaded the file and uploaded it to shapeways.com because they also ship from The Netherlands..
so that could be an option.
about the grounded part. i just returned a power supply i bought for my TS100 because it was not grounded.
i heard people call it "floating psu". i'm going to order a new one from Mean well "GSM90A24-P1M" that one should be ok..
the spec sheet says "-V connected to AC FG" it's a 24V 3.75A.. so the - minus will be grounded in that unit.
so this unit has a minus that goes to the dc jack i'm ok..
for my TS100 i was planning to follow the example of Rooster.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ts100-doesn_t-function-properly-when-earthed/msg1493014/#msg1493014about the price of the unit.. i could get the one with the plastic blue handle that one costs €32,22 instead of the €48,42 but i thought €16 for a nice handle why not..
here's the plastic one.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32850601075.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.221a2e0ealCBe5To make the TS100 compatible with T12 tips i would need the following.
1) Hakko sleeve in the Netherlands that would cost me €7,50 + €9 shipping = €16,50 (second option would be via china)
2) 3d printed part shapeways $5 plus $6 shipping = €11
So in total i would spend €27,50 for that upgrade..i'm afraid that ordering the sleeve from china (aliexpress) it would not fit as good