My New Clever Soldering Station

[@sgsax]

Forget Steampunk and Cyberpunk, I'm dubbing this guerrilla style of building Kampfpunk. 😁 Turning found objects into art isn't new, but the way you continually turn found items, mostly from your own expansive collection, into pieces of lovely functional art is something special. My Pinecil soldering iron is already designed to run on DC power. I'll have to see what interesting junk I have lying around to try and build a station like this of my own. Happy New Year and thanks for sharing!

[@TheHailacopter]

Kampfkraft

[@cyrilcyril9635]

can we have links about your dubbing music? love it... 🤩

[@nathanfell8993]

Inspiring as always Laura! Remember this project whenever you are frustrated that something doesn't fit. TWO perfect fits of random objects in one project! The stars were aligned and your soldering station was meant to be!!!

[@laurakampf]

Yes! That is true :)

[@OrenKaplan83]

I love the fact that you mention you're being inspired by other makers, but downplay how you've totally redesigned it to be your own with things that fit your style and work process and existing tools and shop. The way your materials just happen to work together was awesome! I think that's a big part of the fact that you curate stuff that is "you" and not just any trash. I mean look at your projects and how you have such a unique "feel" to them!

[@PhilVandelay]

The way all that stuff happend to fit together was almost uncanny! This look so useful I'm actually considering making something similar. How long does the battery last?

[@laurakampf]

We will see. But a long time I guess

[@ADBBuild]

Those USB soldering irons draw about 2 amps, so depending on your battery size, 1-3 hours would be about expected.

[@SpaceMarshalGyorni]

@@ADBBuild Doesn't that very much depend on what you're soldering? If your workpiece has a lot of heat capacity, the iron will have to work much harder to keep the temperature stable.

[@ADBBuild]

@@SpaceMarshalGyorni I haven't used one of these irons, so I can say for sure, but I'd bet it is on all the time unless maybe it was sitting for a while. It probably doesn't even have the ability to "throttle" the power and is just constantly on like basic plug-in irons. So in your example, since the iron is always at the max it can output, it would just get colder, not "work harder" as you are saying.

[@dylanevans5644]

​@@ADBBuild It really depends how much she stepped up the voltage. It looks like a TS100, and you are close in your guess - it draws about 2.7amps. This iron also works from 12 - 24v, the higher the voltage the better the overall wattage/power/heat delivery. If she stepped it up to 24v then it would be pulling over 3.6amps from the battery (especially after considering power conversion efficiency). Not that this all matters that much, as the iron auto sleeps and you would still be looking at around an hour (assuming this is a Festool 18v 4Ah battery) which is quite a lot for most soldering projects.

[@mrrberger]

KZbin is such a good luck charm. I love how steel sections pulled out of junk piles have clean shiny ends and the first attempt at trying anything slots together so well. Not only was that "][" section the right width and length it also had a clean cut end. Maybe it's the hip funk music that makes it all happen. I have to walk around with a measuring tape and clean rust off my junk pile stuff.

[@johnfithian-franks8276]

Hi Laura, I have made a lot of solder stations through my seventy years on this earth and they have all been plug in types as the batteries to power these things have not been around for long, but your engineer prowess and flair for the unexpected has come up with yet another brilliant idea. I can hardly wait until I can get into my shed (no heating) and see what I can find. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your helpers.

[@AlexanderSchwaninger]

Seeing different makers doing their attempts on soldering stations is always satisfying, did one for me about a year ago and I have to say it was exactly as much fun!

[@Atlantismonkey40]

This was bar far my favorite of your projects. Well done. I would like to offer a safety point. The iron will be hot when done with project. Put an insulated cover, so you don’t burn hand when moving. Again well done.

[@bloodgain]

"Don't do this. It's probably not allowed, and it might fry your battery." Good warning! The biggest risk, aside accidentally shorting out the battery, is over-discharging the battery, which is really bad for lithium-ion batteries. Some batteries have protective circuitry built into the batteries, while some manufacturers build it into the tools instead. If your batteries have discharge testers on them, keep an eye on them. To be safer, you can look up how to make a simple over-discharge protection circuit, or you can buy one for $10-15 and add it to your DIY adapter.

[@eternity1243]

The soldering iron has a voltage cut off feature built in which can be set in the menu.

[@bloodgain]

@@eternity1243 Good to know! I have the PINECIL, so I probably should have known that, but I've mostly used it with a USB wall adapter, so I wouldn't have paid much attention to that setting.

[@leon_mnl]

as makers we just make what we need , take great ideas from other makers and adapt them to our needs , great job

[@DadofScience]

Smashing work, Laura. Love the salvaged look and utility.

[@MrMartinSchou]

I think you'll want a second "third hand" and possibly a third at some point. Being able to hold multiple items together while you solder is extremely handy, and your solution to it is quite brilliant.

[@hhaugan]

When you see something so beautifully simple it just makes you smile. Simple, as in, the most straightforward solution. The best.

[@That_Stealth_Guy]

Regardless if your projects are successful or not, your creativity and positive energy keep me coming back to watch each and every video you release.

[@specist]

I was in awe as you were picking random pieces for this project and they all fit together. It's like the project came together of it's own accord. Always great when a project practically puts itself together. Really like the use of the I beam section like that, it's heft means it won't move on you when soldering. Great project :D

[@petarjovicic3311]

Miracles these are not when you consider that workshop is alive and participating

[@texfax]

Sure, and the cut on the steel beam was nice and shiny. This piece was there for about ten minutes after being cut to measure for this project...

[@petarjovicic3311]

@@texfax not true, i grew up in a workshop of this size, variety and efficiency. This stuff happens all the time

[@texfax]

@@petarjovicic3311 Sure! All the pieces of steel beam I store in an open trailer stay shiny on the side that was cut, while the rest of the steel scrap underneath gets nice and rusty. That's how stuff works.

[@umop3plsdn]

@@texfax not to mention everything just so happens to be 100% perfect size when grabbing it and "trying" it lolol cheeky. Still a rad station but a bit silly to think they came together organically like that

[@neilmunro5360]

I feel like calling your 'rough' battery adapter the "Fastool" would have been a nice fun pun. (for non German speakers, 'Fast' means 'almost'). I like the idea of the two janky clips on a scrap of plywood being called the 'almost' festool. 😂

[@CptPatch]

I can practically feel the pleasure of the random pieces fitting together through the screen.

[@dollarbill93]

I love it. When i saw it early on, i assumed the control could be on a fron pa el and the top and bottom would be joined. The top area would be shrink, flux, etc. Its i teresting how we each see a different solution. Great job by the way.

[@MacStrange]

A very stylish, good design and modular

[@orionbennett7343]

I enjoy that your projects are crafted from 'found objects' that would end up in the dump at some point. I am not using found objects in all my art, but am starting to do more and more of it using found items. I hope you had a happy holiday and have a great 2022

[@lars.reimann]

Love your statement „I think it’s perfect“. That is an attitude I want to learn. Thank you for your inspiration 🚀

[@orrwho1304]

I cheered out loud at your drill bit storage. wall mounting and added handle. perfection.

[@Tobsen660]

I love the excitement the moment you see that something fits and that was a double Jackpot! I just realized that my designing often works like this too.

[@josephu6845]

So good!!!! That feeling when the two pieces fit together perfectly just set the tone for a wonderful project

[@felixfromnebraska8648]

This project is perfect! You sure do have an eye for putting things together for a functional product. I am now waiting for the plans to come out so I can duplicate your idea, and I don't think I could come up with anything better. Thanks, Laura, for sharing all of the fantastic projects this year. Felix

[@jofathan]

Videos like this are what make me fall in love with "round" numbers in metric units in Europe. Stuff just seems to somehow just fit together nicely, as compared to the seemingly "random" sizes of things in North America.

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Your ability to see things as components for your creations is amazing.

[@horsthugo1359]

Liebe Laura, du bist ein herzensschöner Mensch und immer wieder eine Inspiration die gerade diese Tage zum Leuchten bringt. Ich wünsche Dir einen wunderschönen Jahreswechsel und grandioses 2022 Ciao 🏳️‍🌈

[@christophercoon8971]

I love nothing more then seeing an amazing maker take stuff that might have been trash otherwise and turn them into something useful and give it life!

[@FrankGraffagnino]

i've been watching your videos for a while, and this might be my favorite project of yours. really great.

[@alkalinedale]

So jealous of the way your brain works and then all the skills to make it happen is just so impressive.

[@SpiderMax95]

Crazy how well the organiser container fit the little T-beam. Very satisfying.

[@artconnolly9519]

The fitment of the ibeam to the bottom was one of the best parts of making something from scrap! Awesome job sis

[@dorothyyoung8231]

Laura, I don’t understand much of what you do. But this is one of the most clever things I’ve ever seen! What a super project!

[@laurakampf]

Thank you!

[@KarstenWade]

It was also really great how your version in both fit and finish combined with graceful and efficient utility pretty much outshined your two inspirations. I'm always impressed by your design sense and ability to make a beautiful industrial finish with all of your recycling and upcycling. And often they're amazing hacks that don't look hacky, which is pretty maker masterful.

[@momomunsta8887]

That feeling when found parts come together perfectly makes a build feel 10x better

[@R.Craig.Collins]

Wishing you all a Happy New Year, and lots of great projects to come

[@schnueri6221]

Vielen Dank für die tollen Projekte 🙏🙏🙏. Freue mich auf 2022

[@yangzhang5870]

there is nothing more satisfying than finding random things that fit together perfectly

[@ChiefMoonChunks]

Great, now I have a soldering station that I want to build! Excellent work, thanks for the inspiration

[@699hazard]

Awesome build! I can see that being used all the time

[@michaelshipman1171]

Absolutely love that! Here’s to a healthier 2022.

[@DAI.H4RD]

I got a hakko 880 for Christmas! Lovely soldering iron, this is exactly what I need to make!

[@roblavalle7800]

Love it when a plan comes together.

[@ceriedwards3]

Thank you for all the projects in 2021. Looking forward to following your creative energy in 2022

[@bnf82]

Absolutely perfect! Congrats Laura and thank you (always) for the video!

[@Ovni121]

Clever soldering station indeed. You're so smart Laura.

[@SebastianPastry]

This format is great. Really enjoying you pausing progress to explain your process and excitement at different stages.

[@FeeeshEP3]

got to love it when a plan comes together

[@RussellMakes]

The fit of the battery in the I beam, then the I beam on the drawer?! It was meant to be! Awesome!

[@Gergo11]

Omg it's looks fantastic! Queen of recycling! 👑♻️

[@jaysato]

when lauras excited, everyone gets excited :)

[@thegeekclan]

Very nice! As an added touch you can put some heat shrink over each alligator clip jaws to soften its grip a bit and holds better with certain items.

[@YugoZex]

Well , nice job done. There is one big problem, soldering iron is in the worst position upside down, because all heat is going to the handle. If you can make holder to hold it that tip is up that would be perfect. Good effort and nice job but you will find that if tip is down that soldering iron will not last long, also handle will be very hot very soon when you start using it. You can least rotate holder for 45 degrees to avoid direct heat of handle. Also you could add some PWM to control the heat, because soldering iron on max can be very hot, also it can destroy tip faster. if it's 30W than you don't need PWM but thicker wires will be challenge to solder. Good luck best wishes and Happy New Year.

[@philippe5394]

Happy New Year Laura and a big thank you for all you have brought to us and learned this year. It is always a pleasure to see your legitimate satisfaction, and with a lot of humor.

[@orouchard]

Dear Laura Thank you for your wonderful projects this year and the joy you share with all of us. May 2022 be another remarkable year for you. To you, to those you love and to your health.

[@rice6682]

Great idea! Always gives encouragement to modify your project. Loves to share concepts and always motivates improvements. Thanks for sharing.

[@Connor-tv5gu]

That excitement when something fits *perfectly*

[@horrormache]

"I think is perfect"... no... ¡IS PERFECT! Very great job.

[@trecruel3516]

Love this! I'm amazed by how all the parts just look like they were always meant to be together!

[@vaxjoaberg]

Excellent "material curation"! This may be my favorite build yet and I'm looking forward to constructing one of my own.

[@JohnKrill]

Happy New Year wherever you are.

[@r.a.monigold9789]

When a plan works out - there's almost nothing as nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@onlineda1]

It was a great year of projects and watching your videos. Like so many, you’ve become a friend and mentor through the internet. Have a happy new year Laura.

[@fabienguilley986]

Thanks a lot Laura for being so inspiring. Can’t wait to see your creation in 2022.

[@maxziebell4013]

This is perfect. It came together so nicely. Only thing I think might make it slightly more perfect. The top metal plate (work surface) could be extended to cover the extending battery sticking out the front (ideally slightly rounded off).

[@FamilyRoots]

TS100 solder is sooo nice ! this Station is so good for him ^^

[@nzlemming]

4:53 Totally approve! 7:28 Next freaking level!!

[@heesoo18]

I would put a small ring on the top portion that you could feed you solder through so it retains it close to the work surface and doesn’t flop around… has helped me a lot

[@angelussun2038]

Ta construction est simple mais elle fais le travail pour que tu puisse faire tes soudures de câble. Donc juste parfait. Continue comme ça, j'adore tes vidéos.

[@foxwood67]

I love it and definitely need it. I like the heavy i bean to keep it stable. I would only do a slight modification of adding latches from botton tray to top i beam. If i were in a rush and grabbed the solder station i dont think the magnets would suffice As always enjoy your ingenuity your passion and your smile

[@infected7258]

I have to say that’s probably the best one I’ve seen

[@thegentlemanmaker]

Ooh that’s excellent! The I beam weight is a real bonus. It’s something I need to make so you’ve inspired me to get on with it.

[@MattInglot]

This is so good. All the portable stations are awesome but I think this is the best one!

[@waterknot1]

Very nice. Only suggestion is that if you’re going to do a lot of soldering, you may want an iron holder that can detach and sit to the side so that it will be more convenient to grab as you work.

[@isthisthat]

This was immensely satisfying to watch! Love it when random things just click together! So functional and beautiful, the perfect marriage, well done!! I just couldn't help but feel the awkwardness of the diagonal handles, why??

[@greggr1591]

It wasn't luck that all these components fit together so cleanly; Laura is always prepared, and as Edna Mode said, "Luck favors the prepared." 👍🏻

[@hippie-io7225]

Cool project!! I found adding a magnifier on a flexible goose neck can help with small closeup work.

[@isegrim1978]

I just love the details in your shop. Like the neon tape on the Allen Wrench, so it becomes visible.

[@RestoreTechnique]

It looks awesome 👌

[@mattkindon2917]

I really like this, only thing I'd have an extension lead you can insert for the soldering iron so you can reach further if you're working on something bigger/out of reach. Love how the pieces just fit so nicely too 😊

[@AndyCPugh]

That is a great version of a soldering station. Thank you for all your videos this year.

[@sarah-janegalipo3995]

I love that you are building with salvage.

[@squareoctopus]

I've been collecting cra-- Stuff for years and I can never get such a perfect fit when trying to come up with shapes, let alone two in a row! Projects choose you.

[@DominicPannell]

Laura... I'm only seven minutes in and you're a genius. Now I'm nine minutes in and you're geniuser. I used to teach English, but I'm losing my teaching ability!

[@razvanrazvan117]

Happy Holliday ! And another clewer idea and video !

[@Rsama60]

How amazing that Festool and LagerFix designed their products around an I-beam. 😎 Nice soldering station, some gages, clock hands and it would be steampunk. Love it.

[@markbryan9989]

Wow Laura! I would not be surprised to see a commercial version of your design hit the market in the future. Compact and utilitarian to the extreme. Thanks for all you wonderful videos and have wonderful NewYear!

[@StiffmanOz]

This is such a great idea, I've been thinking of building a battery operated soldering iron, but A whole station with everything you need is an even better idea!

[@LenserX]

Strong finish to the year! And timely for me as I have been thinking about how to remake my own soldering station at work into something that is more readily portable for those occasional "house calls". Ideally it would dock nicely and easily with the full base station.

[@compunurse]

This project brought to you by serendipity. Because I’m gonna choose to believe that you didn’t pre-measure everything Before filming. Love it. Wish I needed one so I can make it. Happy new year.

[@crbulldog5638]

I like it. the battery will have a thermal overload protection but the too will have additional protection for the battery. So you could be discharging the battery more than the manufacturers specifications. The soldering iron is also a controlled short. Id protect the output with a fuse (just have to figure out what’s the output of the battery) your step down may be fused. Just don’t t leave the station on. I worry that soldering station will turn into a bonfire on your table top.

[@peterthinks]

Very nice! Only thing I worry about is having the voltage converter exposed to the tray underneath. If you had wire in there or a length of solder it's possible something could contact the board.

[@SmR8008]

That has to be the neatest soldering station I've seen !👍

[@ElukeNL]

Those slightly sunk handles (around 7:30 // 8:00) - now that’s attention to detail! Nice! At first I didn’t understand why a 5 mm hole after a 3mm hole but now I do.

[@thiemofischer2230]

Great Project. And just in case you circumvented the short-circuit protection it's good that everything is surrounded by metal

[@partytempo]

Really enjoyed seeing your material choices. You really bring a personal sense of style to your work. "This is my soldering station, there are many like it but this one is mine" :)

[@arneh.christiansen4827]

I just love your smile, when you have a success 👍😁

[@C4mpi59]

Laura don't clean the soldering iron's tip before storing it or putting it away. It oxidizes the tip way faster, instead put some fresh solder on it and then turn it off. It seems like nothing but actually saves quite some money on new soldering tips. Besides that it's a beautiful build.

[@ponakka]

Nice! That magnetic helping hand is great. you just need to figure out some locking hasp for attaching upper and lower part together.