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Key Points

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Smart Heat

  • 2

    Legacy Iron: Old soldering iron connected to AC outlet cannot adjust temperature and takes 5 minutes to heat up. This is nothing but 'Stick to get burned'

  • 3

    Pinecil V2: Open source soldering iron with RISC-V processor made by Pine64. Operates with USB-C (PD) and reaches 350°C in 6 seconds. Detects movement and sleeps automatically

  • 4

    MINIWARE TS101: Successor to masterpiece TS100. Supports dual input of DC jack and USB-C. Optimal for drone repair in field (outdoor)

  • 5

    IronOS: Custom firmware developed by volunteers. Adjustment of temperature curve, game (Tetris), animation icon, etc. uselessly high function

Introduction: Melt in 6 Seconds

“Wait until soldering iron warms up” That time does not exist in 2026.

Insert USB-C cable and press button. Numbers on screen run up at once, and 350°C in 6 seconds. When work is done, temperature drops just by placing on stand (Accelerometer). This is “Wand” rather than tool.

1. The Open Source Hero: Pinecil V2

Product of Pine64 making Linux smartphone and single board computer. Surprisingly cheap. However, performance is comparable to professional station type (tens of thousands of yen).

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Pinecil V2

*Difficult to obtain on Amazon, recommended official site. With rubber grip and short bit (tip), precise soldering is possible with feeling like writing characters with pen.

Amazon

IronOS

Surprisingly, this soldering iron has OS. If IronOS published on GitHub is written, customization of UI, optimization of heating algorithm, and even playing Tetris on display when idle are possible.

2. The Field Master: MINIWARE TS101

Legitimate evolution version of TS100 boasting immense popularity among drone racers and RC car enthusiasts. Supports both DC input (LiPo battery direct connection) and USB-C input.

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MINIWARE TS101

Monster boasting max 90W output with PD input. Even with large ground plane (place where heat easily escapes), can counter by raising temperature instantly if boost mode button is pressed.

Amazon

3. Comparison: Freedom or Robustness

項目 Pinecil V2 MINIWARE TS101
Chipset RISC-V (BL706) STM32
Input USB-C (PD/QC) DC & USB-C
Price Very Cheap ($26) Normal ($50)
Tip ST / TS compatible (Short) TS compatible (Abundant types)

4. Why Solder?

“Don’t do electronic work”? But have you ever had this experience?

  • Child’s toy stopped making sound (Disconnect)
  • Cable of favorite headphones broke
  • Want to replace keyboard switch (Hot Swap not supported)

These can be fixed in 5 minutes if there is soldering iron. Moment when option “Throw away” changes to “Fix”.

Conclusion: Person Who Manipulates Heat

When mankind became able to process metal, civilization began. In modern times, ability to manipulate solder on board is basic skill of civilization.

Please have “Heat Source” of size fitting in pen case. That is synonymous with having write permission to physical world (Hardware).

# soldering # pinecil # ts101 # maker # diy # 2026