[atoav]

I have one, but I also solder enough to justify it.

In the end, when it comes down to it the one thing that nobody should compromise on are the tips. There are open hardware soldering stations that use original hakko tips that work really well. Not sure if a similar thing exists for JBC. 10 years ago when I bought it that wasn't an option tho.

Modern tips are expensive, but the difference to older tips is that they have the temperature-sensing element in the tip (as opposed to: in the handle), that means as soon as you touch something with the iron, short temperature dips are avoided and that makes soldering easier, more pleasant and quicker.

That means the actual soldering station mainly needs to read that sensor and regulate the temperature by switching a Mosfet. That is not rocket science. Add a interface to control the temperature and maybe something that senses if the handle is put down (hall sensor in a holder?) and you are basically there in terms of functionality.

Whether it will work as reliable I can't say, but it will be at least a 75% cheaper.

[LanternLight83]

I found it hard to parse whether you were describing JBC tips specifically, so as an FYI for readers, this is (AFAIK) how both JBC and Pinecil tips work (while still at very different price points)