When I bought this I was very sceptical that anything powered from a USB port could actually produce enough heat to solder. But here it is, tested and reverse engineered for your viewing pleasure.
Note the warning about using it from plug-in USB chargers. Most ungrounded versions have significant capacitively coupled mains leakage on the output that will be present on the irons tip and could damage some overly sensitive components. In delicate situations it's best to power the unit from a decent chunky USB power bank.
If you want to buy one of these you can either search for the keywords "8W USB soldering" or use this ebay search link set for lowest cost and shipping first.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=8w+usb+soldering&_sop=15
If you enjoy my videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and low cost Chinese soldering equipment at https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
Note the warning about using it from plug-in USB chargers. Most ungrounded versions have significant capacitively coupled mains leakage on the output that will be present on the irons tip and could damage some overly sensitive components. In delicate situations it's best to power the unit from a decent chunky USB power bank.
If you want to buy one of these you can either search for the keywords "8W USB soldering" or use this ebay search link set for lowest cost and shipping first.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=8w+usb+soldering&_sop=15
If you enjoy my videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and low cost Chinese soldering equipment at https://www.patreon.com/bigclive
He needs no helping hands. As usual. My bench power supply has a usb port so would be OK for that.
It's current year and the market has been flooded with a different version of this. Looks exactly the same on the outside except it has no 555 timer, touch sensor, or vibration sensor. It's a simple 2 transistor latching switch circuit to turn on the mosfet. That's it.
My second one died today, I didn't knew that it's not supposed to be powered by an mobile brick charger.
I bought myself one of these years ago because it cost less than a new bit for my Antex mini iron (an original but still works) and I just needed to do a quick job to repair a mod, did the job and I was very happy, I have bought a couple of new irons since as I am getting into back into little projects and it is easier than changing bits for different jobs
I'm looking to start soldering for a small project and wanted a quick cheap tool and came to youtube to check on reviews to see if they were any good. I thought it would be great if big clive did one and you have! 6 years ago! and also a soldering basics / cheap iron video to boot! well in big man. tips the bunnet
I would imagine adding a few windings of solid core copper around the hot end woukd add some more thermal mass and woukd turn it into a better beast
I paid 11.50
Clive. Add a collar or sleeve over the tip to give it more thermal capacity.
Lidl is selling a lithium USB chargeble soldering iron around here right now for about 11€, seems like a pretty neat thing to have on the go and no need for a separate power bank
The thing is that my package was missing every single accessory apart from the USB cable and the iron itself, no stand or tip. The package didn't have a seal on it but I'm not the kind to open packages in the store
Have you tried any of the 12v soldering irons? I see plenty on ebay for about $15-$20.
I got one, and it really does work. Its by no means the best iron ever, but its remarkable how much it doesnt suck. I think it will be hand for times that I want 2 irons at the same time.
how many mm is the diameter of the 5v 8w usb soldering eye lock thread?
Amazing my friend ♥♥♥♥♥
Nice to meet you ♥♥♥♥♥
Best wishes for you ♥♥♥♥♥
Keep it up ……… ♥♥♥♥♥
Working with it no where near mains noise meant I was forever tapping it to keep it on. I bypassed it as others have done and now it just on all the time and brilliant.