Grip-to-tip distance of various soldering tools

[lukego]

I made a picture to compare the grip-to-tip distance of various soldering handpieces. Sharing just in case it can stimulate any discussion.



That's JBC NT115-A ("nano"), Hakko FX-1002 (induction), JBC T210-A ("precision"), Metcal MX-RM3E, Ersa i-Tool, Hakko FX-8801 (from 888D station).

I was struck that the handpiece for Hakko 888D is comparatively quite large despite often being recommended to beginners learning to solder SMD. Also that the Metcal has a competitively close working distance despite being a general purpose tool from an older generation.

[tooki]

A T245 handle in there would be very illustrative, since it’s not necessarily obvious just how much smaller the smaller JBC handles are. If need be I can borrow one from work when vacation is over, and compare it to the Ersa I have at home.

[lukego]

A T245 handle in there would be very illustrative, since it’s not necessarily obvious just how much smaller the smaller JBC handles are. If need be I can borrow one from work when vacation is over, and compare it to the Ersa I have at home.

I would be very curious to see how the T245 compares. I don't have one of those. I'm assuming for now that it's similar to the Ersa i-Tool or the Metcal MX-RM3E.

I did find a video from Hakko showing the small FX-1002 (above) compared with the FX-1001 (at 0:30sec). Maybe a comparison of JBC T245 and T210 will look similar?

[Shock]

The JBC T245 is close to the Ersa i-Tool. In the first post there are distinctly 3 micro, 2 slim and 1 regular sized handpieces. The slim sized handpeices I find are the most flexible, they take fine tips (just like the micro models) as well as larger through hole and rework tips. They typically have much higher power delivery than micro models.

Shortest
Metcal MX-RM3E (see original post)
Pace TD200
Hakko FM2027/FM2028
Ersa i-Tool  (see original post)
JBC T245
Longest

Here is the Pace TD200 (blue anodized aluminum) compared to the JBC T245 (green grip).

[lukego]

Quite interesting to see all the factors actually. Grip-to-tip distance but also e.g. thickness and length and weight of the handle. Must be an interesting job designing these handpieces.

[tooki]

For what it’s worth, I use three irons regularly: a T245, a T245 with foam cushion, and the Ersa i-Tool nano (which is nearly identical to the i-Tool*, it just lacks the internal accelerometer and has a different plug). Since I just got the T245 with foam, I haven’t made up my mind about whether I prefer that or not. (It’s removable if I don’t.) But I clearly prefer the Ersa iron’s shorter overall length. I dislike the loooooong strain relief JBC uses. But this is personal taste, as I remember Dave expressing in the ADS200 video how he prefers that very feature. I also prefer the sculpted shape of the Ersa, to me it just sits in the hand really nicely. It’s light, probably lighter than the T245.

On the other hand, since the Ersa isn’t a cartridge heater system, changing tips is more time consuming. But if you put a separate tip retainer ferrule thingie onto each tip, it can be done completely toolless, even when hot.

The tip to grip distance is similar, I’d say, without them side by side to compare.


*the i-Tool originally shipped with an overmolded rubberized finger grip, while the nano and pico versions had solid plastic grips. Comparatively recently, Ersa changed the i-Tool to also have the solid plastic grip, so the three handles are now visually indistinguishable and largely share the same components. The nano and pico lack the accelerometer and use a different plug. The pico uses a cheaper heater module with plastic threads. In the picture in the first post, on the Ersa, see the bit of metal peeking out between the handle and the knurled plastic nut? On the pico, that’s plastic instead.

[DaJMasta]

I've got a Hakko FX-951 with a FM-2027 handle and the standard grip-to-tip seems to be a tad over 40mm (42-43mm for my normal tips), and it's felt good to me.  I haven't used a wide range, so I don't know if closer would be more comfortable, but I think you can run into issues with getting into crevices and seeing things if you go too short.  The handle is fairly narrow (a thick pen width for the body, plus 6mm or so diameter for the soft grip), but long (longer than any pen I've used), and the balance point seems to be about the rear of the grip, though it's hard to tell with the permanently attached cable.

I don't think a lot narrower would be beneficial to me - maybe a bit, as a lot of paintbrushes for fine control are the thickness of a medium sized pen - but I definitely think the length and thickness are an advantage over  the thicker ones with a wide grip, at least for me.  I think having the balance point be behind where your fingers grip it a bit is probably good for manipulation and long term fatigue.

[Shock]

The only shorter grip to tip is Pace and then Metcal before you start getting into the micro handpieces which have their own quirks.

When it comes to ergonomics and ease of use the Hakko FX951 with FM2027/FM2028 doesn't rank highly with me unfortunately. I'm a fan of Metcal and then Pace when they brought out their TD200 handpiece. The Metcal MX-H1-AV would be my second pick.

[lukego]

For my part I started with the Hakko 888D and Ersa Nano but now I use the micro irons and tweezers almost exclusively. I much prefer the feel of the small handpieces particularly while doing 0402-ish SMD work which is my bread and butter. I only reach for the regular irons e.g. to clean up a big lead-free ground pad where more grunt is needed.

I especially like the JBC nano tools. I consider them to be in a class of their own when it comes to ergonomics, build quality, ease of changing tips, etc. They were my first JBC tools and I don't like the modular station quite so much e.g. having to hold the stand down with one hand while pulling the tip off with the other, and even having to occasionally reboot the station while working (same with Metcal powering a Hakko handpiece )