Buying Your First Soldering Station (UPDATE READ DESCRIPTION)

(UPDATE) I've already discussed in the video, but I want to once again warn people to be careful of models that may differ internally from the one that I am reviewing, as those could be potentially dangerous. Please inspect the internals of your soldering station, whether you buy it from Banggood.com or elsewhere. This video is (as of now) 6 months old, and I'm receiving reports that some of the stations being shipped via BangGood might differ, internally.
★The following (affiliate) links are for equipment that might not be internally identical★
►T12 Soldering Station: bit.ly/2DtoywS
►T12 Tip Collection: bit.ly/2Dvbln5
►T12 Stand: bit.ly/2DtL3BK
Whether you're a new player looking for an affordable soldering station or a skilled electronics enthusiast looking for an equipment upgrade without breaking the bank, I believe I have you covered. I've tested a variety of these soldering stations that directly drive Hakko styled T12/T15 tips, and I couldn't be more impressed with this specific DSGER model. I love it so much that I haven't been using my Hakko stations for the past month. I never recommend gear without putting it through its paces. I've actually tested several different "forms" of this station. And while they all look cosmetically identical, it's a very different story, inside.

[@liucyrus22]

I think crimping and screwing in should be better than soldering in power applications. Solder is not to be relied on for vibration resistance and mechanical strength.

[@Voultar]

Yes, I completely agree with you. But unfortunately, a lot of these "cheaper" soldering stations have mains lines that are VERY poorly crimped. In this scenario I would much rather have a hard-soldered, mechanically bonded interface between my AC input and the rest of the electronics than have the risk of having a poorly crimped AC line break off, float around and short to something else, that could be devastating!

[@andreiciora2765]

@@Voultar why you do not use your hakko station

[@AnnaVannieuwenhuyse]

@@andreiciora2765 They are. They are just making this video to demonstrate a cheaper item for people on a tighter budget

[@curtwuollet2912]

For govt work, make it mechanically secure then solder. Crimps are good when well done. But solder is gas tight. I've replaced hundreds of crimps done with any old pliers, multi tools, etc. With the proper tool and clean wire and terminals, crimps will last.

[@richardhalliday159]

A clear concise, accurate informative review, I am a retired electronics technician, 50 years in the industry , my go to daily driver is a Metcal set up - excellent but also very expensive, the Metcal tips are around half the price of this unit ! I have looked at various reviews of this unit and found that after your presentation I am very impressed, therefore , on the strength of your recommendation I have ordered the head only version ( I am going to provide my own 24v supply), the tip price seem to good to be true ! Incidentally, although Metcal is US company ( my unit is US manufacture ) all their production is now in China as are many many branded goods, not all CE products are rubbish , British Dyson for instance. Kind regards. Richard. Yorkshire. England

[@jesuscarreonacosta8372]

Update video ?

[@seanpquinn]

I’ve been looking to buy a station, but wasn’t even sure where to start. You’ve made the decision a lot easier and for $50 it doesn’t seem like I can go wrong. Thanks!

[@SmokeMonster]

Got mine ordered. I like everything about this thing. Great video! :D

[@captain3186]

Are you still using yours? I just ordered the one on Voultar's Amazon Page along with a CO-Z 858D Rework Station also on his Amazon Page

[@odaddy47]

It's been a great investment.

[@pet.a.928]

Thanks for the review, been looking for a new soldering station, and this one looks very good that you recommend.

[@SupSecSquirrel]

Love the video and this product was exactly what I was looking for. I just got one too. Cant wait to get my flow on.

[@pedroTFP]

Great video! I’d really like a “soldering 101 class by Voultar” video series, that would take my gaming geekness to the next level!

[@mavness]

this x100000. Ive been soldering for years but I have picked up tips just from watching how he does things. I would love to have a how to starting at even the basics of soldering 2 wires together and moving to advanced techniques. I know theres probably thousands of videos on this already...but none of them are Voultar...

[@Voultar]

Let's do it!

[@mavness]

@@Voultar

[@woodysgeekchannel2204]

@@Voultar Make it so...LOL

[@TVsBen]

@@Voultar This would super excite me. I've always been interested in the idea of electronics repair but I haven't ever really dove in. I can solder guitar pickups and follow wiring diagrams well enough, but (for example) the idea of re-capping my dead model 1 Sega CD is still terrifying.

[@gregkempchannel]

Thanks for this video! Just wanted to share that I used the provided link to buy the t12 station from Banggood. I just received it, checked inside to find that while the circuit has been revised including a different microcontroller (not surprising given this is 4 years later) the internal build quality appears very similar to what's shown in your video. I've only had a few minutes to test it so far but it fired right up and I was soldering in seconds. I'm just getting into console modding, I have some experience soldering and even took classes 20 years ago but we didn't cover the tricks you use for repairs and mods and I'm sure my old Radio Shack irons would not be up to the task.

[@herrjonna2007]

First time I've watched any of your videoes, must say, it will not be my last! You voice is really comforting and clean. Love it! Keep up the good work!

[@kwastek]

by some chance youtube recommended me this video in late December. Ok, maybe not by chance. Previously I was watching Louis Rossmann discussing differences between soldering iron technologies. But anyway, I feel really, really, REALLY lucky I got this video recommended. I only watched it and I knew this is something for me. I've had the station now for a week and I absolutely love it. A great station an order of magnitude cheaper than grossly overpriced brand names'. Thanks for this video!!!!

[@rich1051414]

Nice thick isolation cutout and they actually used an optocoupler to communicate to the low voltage side. Definitely doesn't look like your typical cost cut Chinese product.

[@SnoopKatt]

Just received it, very nice soldering station. Ended up with a different stand, but the guts of the soldering station matched what you showed. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@thomasbarron1615]

Just received mine today!!!! It’s a thing of beauty. While I was opening it I was whispering to myself “show me the butter”

[@thomasbarron1615]

@fuckin kazars whatever floats your goat

[@benjahnz]

Wow so apparently I needed a new soldering iron. Couldn't pass on that deal. Great video!

[@LelandHasGames]

I gotta say, a year later, I still have this station and, it's still the best.

[@CaLan87]

Awesome video voultar. Great job in putting in the work for these guys starting out and also creating a bundle for them to rely on and try to hone their skills. I’m no pro and have learned a lot of technique from you but you really go over the top to help these guys no jack something up. Again great job man and I will continue to stay up to date on the best soldering material to watch on the web!

[@JasonWW2000]

I've done a lot of testing with the v2.1S on my channel. I go through the menu as well as show how to measure and calibrate each tip. I also demonstrate the break in procedure for the tips. This is a very impressive unit. I highly recommend it.

[@mirilika9181]

I have exactly the same soldering station (KSGER) from 6 mouth, and i just love it. Is small, powerful, precise, really comfortable handle and why not is looking pretty in my working table.

[@alatnet]

Bought the soldering station, absolutely amazing after breaking it in. Love it as my first full feature station. Have a question, what would you recommend for a hot air rework station?

[@Andulvar]

Thanks for the video. I've been looking into getting into soldering (again) and I love that unit. Definitely going try and get it next month.

[@ChadZeluff]

Just bought your setup. Thanks for the recommendations! Excited to learn to fix a few of my consoles with popped caps.

[@krip3760]

Any of the desolder vacuum you can recommend on banggood.

[@jameshammond3702]

Thanks for this! I love my FR300 I've had for a few years and have been looking at Hakko soldering stations to replace my ensemble of basic irons. I just ordered this stuff thanks to your review. Can't wait to give it a whirl. I'll finally be able to stop using epoxy to keep my joints together.

[@jdurg]

Damn. I went and found a power cord that fits and plugged the thing in. Flipped the switch, and DOA. Nothing on the screen, nothing to see. I was sent a dead soldering station. For those who got ones that work, fantastic. I'm happy for you. For me, I can't wait another 6 weeks for a fix to be sent to me. I am very disappointed in the long wait, and the absolutely dead on arrival paperweight I now own. Time to break out the multi-meter and the old soldering iron I have and try and figure out why my station is completely DOA. VERY disappointed right now and have no plans to purchase from them again. Edit: Thankfully, these things are pretty simple devices so I was able to find the problem. One of the wires connecting the front panel to the main board was broken. No continuity. I replaced the wire assembly and fired it up and it works great. So if you get one that's DOA, just open it up and check for continuity where there should be continuity.

[@retro_vg_repairs3339]

fixing soldering station with soldering. Nice

[@DeclanCrane]

Just received mine an hour ago, completely DOA, and completely missing the wires for the front handle power port... Going to see if I can get a refund and look elsewhere.

[@displaytalk]

mine was also doa, I reflowed the solder on the power pins and got it to turn on, but everything is in chinese and it just says ERROR. I love your vids voultar but banggood is a terrible place to buy electronics

[@displaytalk]

Wasted 50 bucks

[@DeclanCrane]

@@displaytalk Hey, if you scroll through the settings list by holding down the dial you should be able to find an English option written under one of those categories in Chinese. Also, according to him the latest batch of the soldering *handle* not the station itself is actually DOA, something to do with the wiring. He's sending me a new one no-questions-asked, but it's going to take like 30 days again...

[@azazeldeath]

Thank you so much!!!! I have been looking for a good heat controlled station for years now, end up just getting el'cheapo ones that have no heat control or are gas powered. Can you suggest a good solder sucker and hot air station next?

[@HappyDiggers]

Great video! Could you do something similar for a desoldering station please?

[@Maverick7r]

Thanks man, I was looking for a good secondary/backup iron and this fits the bill perfectly!! Thanks for all the hard work on finding one of this nice of quality!! :)

[@AlanDike]

Unless you're rocking a metal, jbc, or high end hakko (t12 type, like the 951), I'd recommend this as the daily driver. The fx888d just cannot compete.

[@rebeccaschade3987]

Thanks for this excellent review. I've been uncertain about which soldering station to get, but this really helped me make up my mind. I need something for replacing components on retro computer parts, so it needs to be relatively decent, and this really seems like it should do the job. Keep up the great work :)

[@cbk12]

Questions. If I was installing one of your awesome rgb n64 7374 mod what would be a good temp to be at? Also what kind of flux and solder do you use? I just purchased what you review ed. So thank you! Thanks in advance

[@skins4thewin]

Thanks a ton for the links & coupon codes! This looks like an AMAZING value for the money! I am so excited to get mine!

[@skins4thewin]

@@d.stamand Not yet, I just ordered it like a week ago. It's coming from overseas so its gonna take a while.

[@f14v14n]

Totally unrelated, but I've looked at the time on the soldering iron at 19:31 and my computer's clock was showing exactly the same. On topic, great video! You've conviced me to spend a bit more and get the KSGER over the Quicko. But I've seen there are multiple versions. Do you know if the latest one, v3.0, is better than the lower ones?

[@rheniformer]

Outstanding review, great content and no blah blah. Thanks for your time!

[@kind2311]

Just got mine today. Ordered 4 biz days ago and it's already here. With the exception of a few minor revisions, it appears to be identical to the one in the video. It didn't come with a box or manual(or any kind of documentations at all), but thanks to your video, everything is easy and straightforward. The "brains" board has been revised a bit. The board is now longer and is soldered directly to the irons output plug instead of the plug being attached to the board via removable wires. The RTC battery has also been relocated to the top of the power transformer. The beefy heatstinks and good soldering is all still present and accounted for.

[@DanielWijk]

Got mine today, ordered after new year so they are still making them and shipping good stuff :-)

[@DarkDrave]

Thank you for the review. I will be buying this set up soon.

[@BradBJeepin]

Great review! Perfect timing because I needed a new iron.. ordered from the links in the video.. thanks!

[@TROLOLz0r]

Bought this one too. I think this version also has an option to change the PID parameters. There's also a hot air version of this station, would be great if you reviewed it!

[@andreamitchell4758]

So does this still hold up to this day ,or are there better options out there now?

[@TROLOLz0r]

@@andreamitchell4758 I don't know if there are others better options now but its still doing fine without any problem

[@RyoGrattius]

I bought the one from your Amazon recommended list. Not the same exact model, but internals looked solid. Continuity between the iron tip to ground was good. Power rails hard soldered to the board, which looked the same as this one. Main controller board looked different, but didn't look like trash. Fuse for the power plug just like this one. Solid.

[@iCach0]

Soldering is for chumps, you only need a dab of hotglue and a little brasso mixed in for conductivity and, BOOM, you're done!

[@NightWalkerasd]

And some epoxy to keep the electrolytes in place. Never forget he epoxy. The more the better.

[@Coffeemessaging]

Always more hotglue

[@CarcinogenSDA]

iCach0 you forgot the bubble wrap!!

[@XFolf]

Am I the only one who wants to see a totally proper parody review done on this method??? I can't be the only one, this is youtube comments section...

[@TheSquirrelMan]

"it's that simple." - Lord Voultar

[@bpfifa08]

I just ordered mine, loved your review. I was looking for a station for a long time, I was sold on the simplicity and the fact that uses hakko tips. Got any recommendations for an hot air station?

[@gazvlogs7459]

A beautiful morning with a Voultar soldering video it's gonna be a good day

[@jamessolarz3027]

That was a well built unit. Good review sir. Peace.

[@DTDSasquatch]

Thanks so much for this video. I've been using a cheap POS soldering iron for several years, and recently decided to upgrade. I had been researching the Hakko FX-888D and X-tronic 3020-XTS soldering stations, when I randomly came across this video. You've sold me on this one, and I just ordered all 3 items via your affiliate links without hesitation. The $40.99 coupon didn't work, presumably because it's currently a promo item, but the 20% off coupon for the tips did work. Thanks again! Liked and subscribed!

[@sweetlilmre]

Excellent! Just bought this for my 2nd station, and THANK YOU for pronouncing solder correctly 😁

[@rokero171]

I just got one, thanks for the review, I do soldering all the time, on consoles and guitar pedals, and never had the money to invest in a good soldering station, I can't wait it for arrive!!!

[@javii5326]

Hi, was just wandering what specific No-Clean Flux you use?, I’m trying to buy a good one. Thank you

[@Bodhi1satva]

Great video, very helpful. I am a bit confused however. You mention in the description that the links you listed may NOT be internally identical. So are you saying we should not purchased from those links? Where’s our best chance of getting the correct version of this station?

[@personaldronerepair6141]

I just found my next solder station ! Excellent video ! Thank You !

[@utkf16]

Thanks for the review, Im waiting for mine to be delivered from and was a bit concerned from your update regarding a possible change to the internals. I'll check mine when it comes but any ideas on what specifically has changed?

[@Alan_Skywalker]

Have you tested the temperature accuracy with a soldering tester? It's reported that some of those Chinese stations generates significantly higher temps than what you set them to.

[@plasia]

Fantastic, now keep going, I would love to see all the recommendations for the other tools/consumables that you use

[@AndehX]

Thank's Voultar. Just ordered one with the T12 tips and stand!

[@warcraftjinx]

I loved it, went straight to the links and bought one!

[@ataribowlingcgc4465]

Great video as always! If/when you get around to it, an episode on types of solder and good vs. crappy solder will help a lot of the newbies out there who do not know the difference. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've opened up a system or cartridge and saw a terrible hack job inside.

[@KegRaider]

Thanks mate, i bought a set for a Christmas gift to myself :) I love it so far, easy to use, and FAST heatup

[@Galaga_]

Did anyone order one if this latelly? Im considering to order one from banggood but im having second thoughts because of the posibility of it being different from the one @Voultar reviewed?

[@Fille-lj1qv]

I just ordererd 1 with all the tips and the stand. Thx Voultar for the exellent tip for us.

[@solaj22]

Just bought the same one from Amazon, payed a little more cause I did not want to wait. Came with 3 tips and a different wand that's carbon fiber. Plugged it in a a big ol ERROR started flashing on screen, twisted the tip in wand a little and boom worked! So far so good do not hesitate to buy.

[@kduhtdkzrt]

Joining the club. Ordered. I’ve been looking for a solder station for a while, and this thing looks more than solid for its price point.

[@kduhtdkzrt]

@@d.stamandNope, not yet. It was scheduled fpr shipping after restocking on the 1st of december, was then shipped on the 5th. Based on the original projected arrival date I now suppose it will arrive the week before christmas. At least, I hope so.

[@kduhtdkzrt]

dstamand It‘s here now and it is as great as Voultar says. I can absolutely recommend it.

[@johndee759]

Thank you for making this video. What’s a great budget rework heat gun station?

[@low_e_music]

Thank you so much for this video! Just ordered all 3 things, finally replacing my cheapo $10 soldering iron with the real deal.

[@franciscoserralvo6349]

I just ordered a complete kit. Which no-clean flux do you recommend Lord Voultar? Many thanks.

[@WillThat]

Thanks Mr. Vaultar, been looking for a decent and affordable soldering station. 👍

[@strawberryblonde7253]

Besides the obvious soldering station, what else would I need to start soldering as a beginner? I know I need the solder itself but besides that I have no idea what it is I would need. I've soldered some before but that was almost 5 years ago so it's like I'm starting all over again. What solder do you use and what other things do you use as well such as the flux and the node cleaner I saw you mentioned in the restoring gameboy cartridges video. Thank you so much!

[@matteofazio7845]

an entire YT channel about soldering. Thanks, really.

[@hardaysknight]

I would have liked to have seen you check the temperature accuracy, but good video anyway. Do you think you’ll be using this as your main station?

[@Voultar]

From the factory, the temperature (with the K-Series tip) was within a few degrees. An outstanding feature of this iron is having the ability to manually dial in calibration for pretty much any and all T12/T15 tips ever made... Really nice!

[@GlobalGarageAus]

That’s a nice find and review. Tempted to pick one up

[@rhonemeister]

Just ordered one from your link. Thanks for the informative video.

[@survivalboxing3216]

Thanks for great vid! What camera and lens are you using? Cheers

[@splungeism]

Would this work in Australia, or need a voltage converter?

[@chris15939]

If you use this station together with HotAir, this station dont go in sleep mode on work when it take some hot air from HotAir blow?

[@alleycatjack4562]

@Voultar Any chance of getting updated coupons? The one's in the description are all expired now.

[@kurtjmeyoung]

Is there a way to switch the chosen tip? If I go to the tip menu there's always the T12-J02 tip selected. And this seems to only work with the tip that came with the soldering station although the tip that came with the station is a T12-K...

[@howevercomma2333]

I better get the credit card out... I’ve been looking for a solid soldering station. Do you have recommendations for different types of solder and when to use it? Also do you have recommendations for a rework station?

[@TheBaer3103]

Hi. Got a simple question: does this soldering station have a CE sign? German customs tend to deny import without it sometimes, when checked. I tried to find any information on the link but wasnt successful. Any help or hint would be highly appreciated :)

[@buzzsah]

How many types of tips are available, how many come with it, and are they locally available ?

[@RicardoPenders]

I saw some option in the menu that you didn't discuss, what can you do with the desoldering option or the pump action option? Is it possible to connect a desoldering iron with a pump?

[@aDogboydave]

I don't even need another soldering station but this review made me want to order one of these. Had me at the heat shrink in the power supply. Liked and subscribed.

[@alunaticbastard]

I just bought it! $43 after the discount and shipping. There is really no better deal out there for a T12 iron with these features. Thanks for the heads up

[@alunaticbastard]

@@d.stamand it's back ordered so not yet.

[@jeremyfortunethe1st]

Mine showed up a few weeks ago. I broke it down and went through the electronics before plugging it in. Everything was solid. Temps come up quick. And it holds temp pretty good even when it's on a big ground plane. Only issue I ran into was the cord was stripped back twice as much as it needed to be at the connector. Broke out the Hakko and fixed it right up. So this is the best $45 station you can buy.

[@Prash1c]

Fantastic video! Really appreciate this.

[@Mike-di1og]

Hi Voultar, I bought this thanks to your recommendation and opened it up to compare to the one you had in the video just to make sure it was the same. It looks like the mainboard was updated a bit but still mostly the same. Virtually everything you called out as being great is identical. The only concern I had was that the coin-cell battery is no longer directly attached to the mainboard but is attached via pins and the battery itself rests directly on top of the rectifier. I'm still pretty much a total beginner so I don't know enough to judge whether that's safe, e.g. whether a magnetic field from the rectifier could screw with the battery or something. Should that be okay? Sorry if this is a dumb question or has been brought up--I scrolled through the top level comments and didn't see it. Thanks for all you do!

[@hypoeFN]

i love you this is the first video i have watched of you because i wanted to build a keyboard and i have subscribed because of this video keep it up !!!

[@M45963]

Hi, sorry but I don't know mucho about this topic, but can I use this station with a hot air gun ? (in need to replace a usb port of my smartphone)

[@LelandHasGames]

I have been looking for a decent station setup that doesn’t cost 400-500 bucks and, I’m super glad I saw this video. I’ve been subscribed for a year or so now and NEVER noticed this video. I really wish I had seen it sooner!

[@666jamie666]

Hi all been a fan of Voultars channel for years and now looking to purchase of of these soldering stations. Can someone please post a link to the latest version to get please as like he said in the discription some of the links and products maybe outdated. Thank you.

[@TheVoltronjacko]

New to soldering and want to jump on this. Quick question. Can the temp be displayed in fahrenheit instead of celsius? Or is that not a thing? TIA.

[@dasmikko]

What's your opinion about the TS100 soldering iron? I'm currently using it, and its really great

[@beezaa]

Love my TS100. The ability to flash custom firmware on it is amazing.

[@nyllie6239]

hey just saw this while shopping for a station and there seems to be a v3 of this station available, would you recommend this one or the v3? 😅

[@russelwheelwright6689]

do you use a liquid flux? do you make your own? How small is that t12 knife tip? What do you use to magnify the smd pcb? love the review

[@cybernitemusic]

I think my solder never has that nice shine yours does and mine kinda goes black or burnt not sure why. What kinda solder is that?

[@nightwinn]

I have a WES51, the analog model. How does the one in the video compare?

[@XenoDragun]

Just got one of these from the link. My internal look a little different for one its version 2.04 and I don't have the logo? By the optocoupler. Did I get a clone?

[@wazzal7]

Where can I buy this "tip pad" that is shown @12:39? I bought this station but it did not come with that piece.

[@ChrisRX13]

What other soldering stations did you try so we know which to avoid? The channel jeffescortlx had bad luck with the quality of the KSGER but preferred the DXCHMEI

[@shauncollins4682]

Where can I get the tip holder/stand, seen on top of the ZD-915 at approximately 12 seconds in?

[@jdeluna777]

Just ordered, awaiting some soldering goodness!

[@Grieverheart111]

Hi Voultar. I had a couple of courses on analogue and digital electronics during my Bachelors studies. Do you have any recommendations on learning how to actually design circuits? Any software I should learn (i.e. for the digital electronics class we used logisim if I remember correctly, it's been over 10 years) ?

[@Deltax5]

Just recently got the 936. only got one use with it. Should I sell it for this. Im still a noob at soldering. I would like to know where you get your liquid flux and silver solder

[@luke7110]

Hi Voultar, what's your desoldering gear ? Same station + separate vacuum ?