[wepple]

Can’t speak for the OP but having USB C devices is far tidier, and allows you to go portable.

I’ve always had a 110 soldering station, but recently bought a Pinecil portable iron for soldering in the field, and damn that thing is so convenient and fast to heat and accurate, I hardly bother with my full solder station any more

[steve_adams_86]

It’s actually good? It’s so inexpensive. My soldering station was $200, and I thought that was on the cheaper side. It looks like Pinecil V2 is only $25 at the moment.

[xnyan]

My electronics background is that I worked under Underwriters Laboratories where I’ve used some very nice soldering irons.

The pinecil is unbelievably good for what it costs. I find myself using it more than any other soldering iron, only pulling out bigger more expensive models when I need more thermal mass. I can’t recommend it enough.

[hobs]

Just a mention that if it isn't working up to spec you probably dont have a power source capable of delivering what it needs, it truly blew me away how good this thing is.

[jdietrich]

If your soldering iron uses the old style of slip-on tips, then the Pinecil would represent a significant upgrade. Cartridge-style tips have really rendered older irons obsolete and allow something as cheap and simple as a Pinecil to have genuinely excellent performance.

Brands like AiXun and Handskit make inexpensive stations that are compatible with JBC C215/C245 cartridges, which gives you a ridiculous level of performance for the price.

Also, don't sleep on knife tips. For a long time I thought that the Chinese phone repair guys were goofy for using them so much, but they were right, I was an idiot and I now use them 99% of the time.

[noman-land]

It's strangely good. I also haven't used my Weller since getting the Pinecil.

[wepple]

If they’d charged me $85 I’d be a very happy buyer. But I paid like $45 or something crazy?

The one downside someone pointed out is that replacement tips are pricey because they seem to include the actual heating element, but even then it’s still such a great device IMO

[duskwuff]

> The one downside someone pointed out is that replacement tips are pricey

And, at $25 for a set of four, they aren't even that expensive.

[moffkalast]

Depends on the tip quality. The one I got with my toolcraft soldering station lasted a good while, but any replacements I get just freaking melt away and are only good for a few uses. On the other hand they are $3 for a pack of 10, so it's probably still cheaper overall than the OEM stuff lol.

[duskwuff]

The ones I'm referring to are the official tip sets from Pine64, e.g.:

https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-soldering-short-tip-set-f...

[steve_adams_86]

That’s a strong endorsement. Do you know how long does a tip normally last?

[stavros]

It's amazing, both in general, and especially for its price. I have four of them (not exactly Pinecils, but two Pinecils, a TS-100, a TS-80, etc). I love it.

[graphe]

What do you need it for? I've used $4 ones that were "good". Once you go hot air it's different.

[wepple]

Repairing crashed drones, so maybe nothing fancy. If I’m doing precise SMT I prefer to be at a desk

[graphe]

I think these will do fine my nice soldering iron was $70ish when I got it and has temperature control. You don't need a weller or anything that was nice from back in the day, I think the in general temp control is very good from my experience with cheap ecigs too.