ts 101 solder iron

[redclover7!]

so FINALLY after searching for the correct power source for my ts 101 i don't find it easy like i expected.
my cheap 25w iron seems much more easy to use. I'm still trying to solder halfway decent with it. My very first time soldering with the cheap iron was much much neater this one is a mess i ruined my neurocyton board its now just a practice board ! i really thought it would be at least as good as the cheapo.
Should i desolder the components off and salvage what i can?

 

[Feral Feline]

While getting good at soldering with a cheap iron will definitely help you when you transition to a better iron/solder-station —

there is still a learning curve with using any new piece of equipment.​

I'm not familiar with the TS101, but I can tell you that even changing the temperature on my Hakko (for pots in guitars vs TH-PCBs, for example) forces me to re-adjust technique and time applying the heat, etc. Adaptation on the fly is necessary.

I'd try to make the Neurocyton work, even if it means skipping traces and soldering component-to-component — the bones of the circuit is still in your Neurocyton, just need to help it along. It won't be pretty, but it'll be a helluva war-story and an immense satisfaction to prevail, if possible.
I can't say for certain if the Neurocyton is salvageable itself, because you've posted no pictures (and even then I may not be able to tell).

 

[redclover7!]

While getting good at soldering with a cheap iron will definitely help you when you transition to a better iron/solder-station —

there is still a learning curve with using any new piece of equipment.​

I'm not familiar with the TS101, but I can tell you that even changing the temperature on my Hakko (for pots in guitars vs TH-PCBs, for example) forces me to re-adjust technique and time applying the heat, etc. Adaptation on the fly is necessary.

I'd try to make the Neurocyton work, even if it means skipping traces and soldering component-to-component — the bones of the circuit is still in your Neurocyton, just need to help it along. It won't be pretty, but it'll be a helluva war-story and an immense satisfaction to prevail, if possible.
I can't say for certain if the Neurocyton is salvageable itself, because you've posted no pictures (and even then I may not be able to tell).

its too late i have used the board as a practice for my new iron but i am re ordering a new one to start fresh

 

[Locrian99]

I started out with a 15$ amazon kit iron, then bought a more expensive still amazon one, finally bought a hakko.

i had some struggles between each one. And still feel like with the hakko i want to let it warm up from the last session clean the old tin off, re tin it, let it sit clean that off and retin again which i dont recall having to do with the cheaper ones. Ussuallt just clean tin and go. Once its going its fire. I think you just need to adjust

 

[Feral Feline]

An F1-car's engine requires more maintenance and contstant fine-tuning compared to a commuter-car/grocery-getter's engine;
the grocery-getter is better than the beater that is constantly breaking down. Even the commuter-car needs regular maintenance, though.

Right tool for the job. F1-car to go racing, grocery-getter for day-to-day errands/commuting, and then repair the beater strong enough for one last hurrah — at the smashup-derby...



The performance of the Hakko vs a generic-branded cheapo iron is worth the Hakko's extra maintenance, IMO.

 

[jwin615]

An F1-car's engine requires more maintenance and contstant fine-tuning compared to a commuter-car/grocery-getter's engine;
the grocery-getter is better than the beater that is constantly breaking down. Even the commuter-car needs regular maintenance, though.

Right tool for the job. F1-car to go racing, grocery-getter for day-to-day errands/commuting, and then repair the beater strong enough for one last hurrah — at the smashup-derby...



The performance of the Hakko vs a generic-branded cheapo iron is worth the Hakko's extra maintenance, IMO.

I haven't ad the same experience with my Hakko. Are you using a genuine tip? Maybe due a replacement?

 

[redclover7!]

I started out with a 15$ amazon kit iron, then bought a more expensive still amazon one, finally bought a hakko.

i had some struggles between each one. And still feel like with the hakko i want to let it warm up from the last session clean the old tin off, re tin it, let it sit clean that off and retin again which i dont recall having to do with the cheaper ones. Ussuallt just clean tin and go. Once its going its fire. I think you just need to adjust

ita good because it heats up in seconds and when i put it down it cools off fast so im already getting used to it

 

[Feral Feline]

I haven't ad the same experience with my Hakko. Are you using a genuine tip? Maybe due a replacement?

re maintenance — I wasn't referring to my Hakko. Genuine tips and no problems so far...