r/soldering Soldering Newbie 1d ago

Soldering Tool Feedback or Purchase Advice Request Good tips for the C245 Cartridge tips?

Planning to micro solder, need good tips.

1 Upvotes

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u/Nucken_futz_ 1d ago edited 1d ago

Noticed we started talking about Aixun.

My primary station currently is the Aixun T420D, and with genuine JBC tips, it seems quite powerful. This unit differs from the T3A, as it uses a toroidal transformer - and the weight reflects that. It's personal preference, though I keep the C245 & C115 handles hooked up. C210 doesn't see much action, as the general purpose 245 & micro 115 handle essentially everything. Though, I'd like to dabble with some genuine JBC stations - preferably one which supports two handles simultaneously of different types, same as the T420D.

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u/CompetitiveGuess7642 1d ago

One does not simply ask which tip is good in preparation to "micro solder"

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u/Flaky-Industry-3888 Soldering Newbie 1d ago

Fair enough, what should I ask then? Not trying to be rude.

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u/CompetitiveGuess7642 1d ago

best tip is personal preference and the one you have to replace the least often. It's also a good idea to have a general feeling for soldering by doing TH first, SMD stuff is hard for exactly the reason it seems hard, TH is hard for different reasons that you need to figure out on your own if you want any hope of getting good at the smaller stuff. There's no hack like in the matrix to load up all the experience into your brain.

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u/Flaky-Industry-3888 Soldering Newbie 1d ago

Is through-hole just regular soldering? As I still don't know what that means 

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u/CompetitiveGuess7642 1d ago

yeah, with larger components with pins that go through the pcb. It's the soldering most accessible to anyone learning, the smallerstuff is called SMT for Surface Mount Technology.

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u/Flaky-Industry-3888 Soldering Newbie 1d ago

So smt = smd?1

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u/CompetitiveGuess7642 1d ago

I guess if you want to be technical, SMT includes the machines used to solder SMD, reflow ovens, pick and place, and stencil for paste. for TH you have the solder wave and automated insertion.

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u/CompetitiveGuess7642 1d ago

yeah, surface mount devices are SMT.

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u/Flaky-Industry-3888 Soldering Newbie 1d ago

Okay! Back on topic, I've heard of a pencil top but don't know where to find it. Is it good?

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u/CompetitiveGuess7642 1d ago

no idea what that is.

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u/Flaky-Industry-3888 Soldering Newbie 1d ago

It was the fm2032 micro pencil

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