Got home from holidays on Wednesday after 10 brilliant days on the Central coast of NSW, paid my local post office a visit and collected 4 parcels including my Quicko T12 Soldering Station. ![ThumbsUp :-+](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/icon_smile_thumbsup.gif.pagespeed.ce._JElyJQqdB.gif)
In true EEVBlog style I took it apart without turning it on first! ![Cool 8)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xcool.gif.pagespeed.ic.cOxV6sPNRd.png)
Mines the "compact one" like SpecMasters: (SNIP A HUGE BUTTLOAD OF AWESOME PICS FOR BREVITY'S SAKE)
It needed some TLC as many of the soldering joints were frankly crap and the PCB needed a clean with Isopropyl! I re-did all the TH joints with some 60/40 Rosin core solder:
![](https://i.imgur.com/JlH8nFJl.jpg)
I cant believe how small this thing is and how fast it heats up! Super Impressive and really nice to solder with, the handle is so light and your hand is so close to the tip the control you have is great!
I have found the tip temp display seems to jump around a lot but for the money im not complaining. I just need a proper handle holder for it and something to hold the tips not being used (the tips are all really nice quality too, this was very pleasant surprise).
High res pics for those wanting a closer look: https://imgur.com/gallery/f5We0
Glad you like it as much as I like mine; and I bet you a doughnut before long you'll have another just to make portable as I'm doing myself.
![Laughing :-DD](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif.pagespeed.ce._hfWAz_QHO.gif)
One thing I don't like about this version is the JST-XH connectors on the power connections; they inevitably become a point of failure when used in this kind of resistive heating circuit. I much prefer the connections and fine-strand silicone wires I solder together myself on my DIY version.
![Tweak :-/O](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiliey_cal.gif.pagespeed.ce.yYMcAvxBJk.gif)
Made here in the UK too!
Hopefully not like this:
I don't know for sure but I think they make all their gear here in the UK?
I love Maurice... I've worked with him on a few occasions.
![Bullshit Detector :bullshit:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/BullshitDetector.gif.pagespeed.ce.ySiCs9HSXL.gif)
Actually if I'm honest with myself, I've BEEN him on more than a few occasions too...
What is it with you Limeys? You drive on the wrong side of the road, you put your power switches in upside-down.... ![Confused :-//](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/confused0024.gif.pagespeed.ce.5xOqKkq0Co.gif)
Our power switches turn off when you lean on them and our dominant hand is conveniently situated on the side you can stick it out of the window to make signs at other drivers ![Cheesy :D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xcheesy.gif.pagespeed.ic.KPzuH4J-TG.png)
Replaced batteries in the TF930. This is why you need to use the correct sized batteries - little thermistor hiding there which is part of the charge controller. You have to blob some heatsink compound on it so it contacts the battery properly.
![](https://i.imgur.com/3F1Jwyq.jpg)
Anyway job done. Works perfectly:
![](https://i.imgur.com/fsGPQxI.jpg?1)
Edit: rotate image
And what the hell is this thing with Reginald Dwight?
![Shocked :o](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xshocked.gif.pagespeed.ic.CrwtrNUjLO.png)
Oh wait, excuse me... SIR Reginald Dwight.
![Laughing :-DD](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/smiley_laughing.gif.pagespeed.ce._hfWAz_QHO.gif)
Yeah, I'm looking at these pics and I see no reason whatsoever you can't use a regular AA size cell. The A cell you're using is 17mm diameter while a AA cell is 14.5mm diameter, so maximum difference between the two would be 1.75mm that you'd have to make up. Easily done by mounting the cell offset a little or at worst by moving the thermistor half a pad closer. But you really shouldn't have to mess with any of that, since the way the board is intended to have the batteries mounted, the smaller cell would just sit a bit lower in the recess; your little dab of goose grease will for sure make up that tiny difference.
If you were feeling really froggy, there's plenty of room there to sub a single 18650 cell; the operating voltage should be close enough. Add a
micro-USB single-cell Battery Maintenance System PCB available from fleaBay for less than a buck, and you can charge/power it from any USB port on anything, including a power bank.
I'm glad that you are happy with yours, it is as you say, small but highly efficient. The temperature jumping around on the display does settle down the more use it but as the thermocouple is part of the tip assembly, this will change with every tip change you make.
I'd seriously recommend that you consider the modifications I made to mine with regard to the earthing of the case itself and the connection between power socket and the board itself as I feel strongly that this will become a source of problems in the future.
I'm so happy that I've purchased another as a collection of parts to assemble and I have got 2 iron holders / rests like the attached and I have enlarged the holles on the top and dropped my spare tips into them (they need something in the bottom to hold them upright but I'm working on that) and it keeps them nice and handy to hand when required.
Nice to see that we have the same desoldering tool (mine is the desoldering half) I think it works brilliantly, how do you get on with yours?
Good to know ![ThumbsUp :-+](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/icon_smile_thumbsup.gif.pagespeed.ce._JElyJQqdB.gif)
Can you link back to your earth mod, I forgot to bookmark it. ![Face Palm :palm:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xfacepalm.gif.pagespeed.ic.EBDwh1hCfo.png)
I must admit I'm tempted to buy the other brand (starting with K) with the 5 pin connector and flogging off my combo soldering and desoldering station - only issue is I'd have to buy a standalone desoldering station to replace it. It's a bloody good desoldering station and I can't fault it!
Yes, it appears that
the new "Ver 2.1" controllers with larger 1.3" OLED now have multiple tip profiles to account for the different thermocouple/heating curves of the different profile T12 family tips. Something I just found out about myself while looking at the new KSGER controller kit.
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/?action=dlattach;attach=384488;image)
Now, especially since it appears my much-desired extruded AL enclosure no longer exists anywhere, I find myself drooling a little over their
combined dual-function enclosure and 2-in-1 controller. But... US$115 just for the enclosure and controller, without gun or handle or even power supply... Naaah. I just can't make myself do it.
mnem
*Juicy*