Tools please!

[Okiguess]

I am building an Ashida portable and I don't know what tools and extra parts not listed on 4 layer tech to buy. Please recommend things to remove soldering as well as a soldering iron and other important tools/pieces.

 

[Revine]

@CrazyGadget listed a great list of tools you'd need here.

 

[CrazyGadget]

The Ashida BOM is located on the 4LayerTech website, it lists everything you need to build one. As far as tools and other supplies go, I made a post here that seems relevant.

 

[Stitches]

There's also Ginger's old guide on the subject https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/general-tools-and-materials-guide.3128/

The guide is a bit on the old side, but it holds true. Not listed in the thread are the Pinecil soldering irons, which are a good affordable soldering iron series that became available in the last couple of years. CrazyGadget's list includes it though

 

[Okiguess]

which iron is better overall: Hakko FX888D-23BY or Pinecil

 

[Y2K]

which iron is better overall: Hakko FX888D-23BY or Pinecil

Pinecil wins when considering price to performance. Both are great irons though, and you'll be quite happy with them either way.

 

[Okiguess]

which one is better in the performance category tho? they are both in my budget

 

[Y2K]

which one is better in the performance category tho? they are both in my budget

Roughly equal. Pinecil edges it out imo because of the tips, which integrate the heater into the tip - heats up quicker and can hold its temperature better, but I believe the FX-888D can do more power to the handle. I'd go with the pinecil personally.

 

[Stitches]

I have an FX-888D. It works great, but a well built Pinecil with the tip integrated heater outperforms it as Y2K outlined. A Pinecil is technically less flexible in its use due to having a lesser number of compatible tips, but those tips it does have perform better so long as you look after them.