HeaT12 (Soldering Iron Station)

thingiverse

This is the Soldering Iron Station using Chinese "Hakko T12" handles with quick changeable cartridges. The main T12 design advantages are the very short time-to-ready (~8 seconds to 260 Celsius) due to 70W power and integrated heater design, wide carttidge tips range available, very fast and easy cartridge replacement, sleep mode (that is really cool due to short heating time). All parts to build this station are available from common online markets. Designing the case I wanted to build it as small as possible keeping in mind some points like cooling, display location, top surface buttons location (to be able to press them by one hand with no need to hold the device by other hand), angles power cable plug (as the workbench usually is littered by some parts/tools and the straight protruding power cable is interfering with all that) etc. Rotary encoder is also used (not sure it is so necessary but I do really like them). The station dimensions are 113 x 64 x 51 mm and the weigth assembled 285 g (the station itself not including handle etc). The HeaT12 BOM: 24V PSU (the station itself consume upto 70W so that PSU have a little margin and that is fine) - http://www.banggood.com/4A-To-6A-24V-Switching-Power-Supply-Board-AC-DC-Power-Module-p-969204.html?p=RC1103198737201306@Q T12 Controller (small one) - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Digital-Soldering-Iron-Station-Temperature-Controller-LCD-for-T12-Heating-Core/32721267526.html C8 Power Inlet (really that is C7 inlet while C8 is the plug) (bought 10 pcs trying to use that connectors in all my designs) - https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/IEC320-C8-Black-2-Terminal-Power-Plug-Inlet-Socket-AC-250V-2-5A-10-Pcs/2325001_32700599711.html Rocker Power Switch - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/5pcs-x-AC-250V-3A-Right-Angle-3-Pin-SPDT-ON-ON-Snap-In-Mini-Boat/2034151348.html (they are not available now but you can search for the same 13x8 mm type) M16 5-pin Plug+Socket - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/M16-16mm-5-Pin-Screw-Type-Electrical-Aviation-Plug-Socket-Connector/32650216149.html (not available but now you get what is needed) Rotary Encoder with short Shaft - look for "Plum handle 15mm rotary encoder" at Aliexpress 50x50x15 mm 12V Fan - used Sunon GM1205PHB3 from some disassmebled device StepDown module to power up the Fan as it should be powered by 12V while PSU provide 24V (something simpler could be used like resistor but I do not like the idea of some additional heat source inside the case) - http://www.banggood.com/Small-Mini-360-Adjustable-DC-Power-Supply-Module-Mini-Step-Down-Module-p-917568.html?p=RC1103198737201306@Q T12 Handle & Cartridges you need. I have ordered that set https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-soldering-handle-4pcs-T12-soldering-iron-tips-T12-K-D52-JL02-IL-soldering-iron-tips/32656581005.html and replaced the wires with soft silicone: 2x AWG18 + 3x AWG24 (the handle can be connected by just 3 wires - Power, Ground, Vibration Switch, - but AWG24 are not so expensive) placed inside the silicone tube. Vibration switch placed inside the handle (sleep mode) - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/SW-200D-Vibration-switch-Ball-switch-Tilt-switch-Double-bead-Angle-sensor-10pcs-lot-free-shipping/32372107733.html Wires, M2 + M3 screws & nuts Print the case and knob+buttons, assemble, use your old soldering iron and - voila, here is the new one, better, faster, wonderful! And cute! Due to pink fluorescent ABS bought at my daughter requests (but 1Kg is too much even for that requests). Print Settings Printer: Anet A6 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.15 Infill: 25 Notes: Printed using ABS: 0.3mm nozzle, 0.15mm layer, 110C heat bed @260C. The slicer is calibrated to provide 1:1 dimensions and no excess thickness (that is 2mm wall width in design = 2mm wall width in printout)