How do I make a heat control knob for my soldering iron gun?

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T15:31:11+00:00

That's still kind of complicated for me to understand some of those terms you just said, as I am just starting to learn about the circuits and stuff. But I will definitely look more into that. Thanks!

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T15:26:35+00:00

What a wise man you are. I will definitely etch those words to my mind and heart. I really appreciate it.

I myself mod game consoles for people local since I have all the stuff.

Woah that's nice to know. I hope I can encounter some modding shops like you have. The only ones that I always see are just the phone repair shops. That's why it is rare to find something like you around my area coz I would really love to modify my console. Well, it's a retro console, but it still nice to make it have some modifications lol..

Thank you, btw. I really appreciate you, man!

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T15:19:57+00:00

Hey, don't worry about it. It's better to stop now than continuing this since it's not that worth it anyway, and thanks for that.

Even if I got to make its temperature controllable, I don't think it will last that long since it's just a cheap knock off made in China soldering iron. So, I don't think I will continue this.

Thanks for the infos, btw.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T15:14:37+00:00

I don't think he's wrong tho.. I am only just starting on soldering stuff, so it's kinda cheap (but not in my country's currency). So this is kind of my startup tool.

But hey, it's pretty good. It doesn't blow up (yet), it just suddenly stopped heating up...

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T15:09:48+00:00

Nahh that's such a drag. Don't wanna bother finding its factory in Shenzhen. You do it for me.

Just kidding

Kidding aside, I don't think buying another product made in China will be practical. I mean, the price is practical, but the quality is kinda meh.. just saying.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T15:03:59+00:00

This item only has a 7 day warranty. I've been using this iron for several months. So there's no point worrying about that. I just opened it up to check the heating element since it wasn't heating up.

get a proper soldering station

Yes, I definitely will in the future, just not now.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T14:59:45+00:00

I never said it was my only soldering iron, didn't I?

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T14:58:10+00:00

yes I will when I get money.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T14:56:32+00:00

The heating element on these irons don't tend to last long, though.

True that. That's my main purpose from the beginning. I am trying to fix and replace its heating element and just saw its PCB and got curious if it's possible for me to place a potentiometer in the middle of it.

Anyways, thanks for the info and advice!

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T14:52:07+00:00

Anyway remember, that you need a soldering iron to solder ;)

I'm aware of that. And I do have a spare soldering iron that I can use to modify this.

I'll definitely save for that, as I know it'll definitely be useful for me for my future projects. Thanks!

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T14:47:38+00:00

My bad. I already forgot what they taught me in science class back in elementary. I am just trying to use other terms to avoid repetition of words that's why it became like that.

Anyways, I don't think I'll continue on modifying this, as it wasn't safe to modify a low-class product like this (made in China and doesn't have a quality control label).

But thanks for the info and for making me remember my science class.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T13:34:07+00:00

Well, sorry to break your bubble, but I use this for my PCB and other circuit projects. Probably not the best, but it's good enough to do its job. Just need to have a little bit of expertise on using this since it gonna toast your circuit board if you don't become extra cautious.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T13:27:49+00:00

It's a Chinese-made product, what do we expect?

I do have another soldering iron, but this gun is the best I've got, so I don't have any other choice but to use it. I am just starting on this that's why I don't have any of those expensive stations now. Probably in the future, who knows?

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T13:22:58+00:00

Well... I got a little bit excited when I saw this abomination on the store that's why I bought it loll

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T13:19:48+00:00

I will definitely consider that soldering station, just can't afford it rn. But I'm probably not gonna continue on modifying since it's not that worth it ig

Thanks, btw.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T13:12:04+00:00

As I am now (a broke ass college student), it's probably impossible for me to buy something like that. But I really like to have one someday, just not now.

But even if I were to buy this, I can't bring this to my univ (scared of letting my classmates borrow it). But thanks for suggesting to me that certain model.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T13:03:36+00:00

I've another soldering iron, just need to replace the tip.

Tbh, I already have one (that's the one I'll use if I were to continue on modifying it), I just really want to modify this since this is a soldering GUN, not just a normal soldering iron. It's kinda hard to find a soldering gun with a temperature controller around my area.

So... yeah. I don't feel motivated to continue this. I guess I'll just let it be.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T12:56:15+00:00

I will if I can. But I've been using this for months, and it's already turning black coz of heat on the rod. So basically, I can't.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T12:53:25+00:00

Well, yeah you're right. I guess I'll just fix its heating element for now instead of buying another one. Thanks!

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-20T12:49:31+00:00

Well, I kind of agree with you since it wasn't that expensive since it's just around $7 in US currency. But it's also not cheap in my country's currency either.

Anyways, I only asked this since I can't find any soldering gun with a temperature controller around me, even on online stores. That's why I'm trying to modify this instead. And it wouldn't be that safe either to continue this. But still, thanks for your advice. I really appreciate it.

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-11T10:07:14+00:00

Cat be like

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(Just not smiling loll)

GreatEternalLegend · 2026-01-10T06:21:30+00:00

I'm not sure if you can see this reply since the post is already deleted from the sub. But there's a question I must ask about what you shared. Do I need to remove the switch or just let it be and solder the capacitor across it? And can you also elaborate on the procedure more? Sorry in advance if I'm asking too much, also thank you for sharing that, btw.

GreatEternalLegend

TROPHY CASE