Picked a TS100 over a Hakko FX-888D for my bench last week

I was in the middle of replacing capacitors on an old stereo receiver and needed something portable since my bench is a mess. Grabbed the TS100 because of the size and USB-C power, but I'm already missing the Hakko's stable tip temp on through-hole joints. Has anyone else gone with a mini iron and regretted it on bigger boards?

2 comments

2 Comments

parker5438d ago

Yeah I gotta agree with @bell.emma on this one. The TS100 is slick for small stuff but it just doesn't have the grunt for big joints.

bell.emma8d ago

Buddy of mine grabbed a TS100 for the same reason, said it was great for tiny SMD stuff and quick fixes. Then he tried to desolder a big transformer from an old amplifier and the thing just couldn't keep up, the tip temp dropped like a rock. He ended up finishing the job with a chunky old Weller station he borrowed from his neighbor. Said the TS100 is fine for light work but you really miss the thermal mass on anything with big ground planes or thick leads.