Micro Soldering tools - Starter Pack
Maybe some of you don’t own any repair tools yet and are planning to buy them. Here is a list of tools that I recommend. Some students have asked me to share the URLs where I bought them from. Sure, why not?
I have many reasons for using specific tools, but I can’t explain them all here. Don’t worry, in the middle of Semester 1, especially during the Heat Control lesson, I’ll explain why I’m using these particular tools.
NOTE:
- I don’t have sell any of tools online. Links I share are just from trusted seller.
- All the links I’ve shared are from Taobao or AliExpress, China’s largest shopping website. If your country’s internet is blocking access to the URLs I’ve shared, there’s unfortunately nothing I can do to assist you. In such cases, you’ll need to find your own seller by searching for the item model on Google.
- Some of the URLs are from the same seller.
- Please don’t be lazy and ask me how much. Your basic skill is must know how to Google and using the calculator.
Table of Contents
Hot Air Soldering Machine - Quick 861DW
I have been using the Quick 861DW hot air station up until now in 2025. The main reason I haven’t switched to a higher model or more expensive one is that it’s the most popular machine available, making it easy to source anywhere. This is especially important for teachers, so students can easily follow along; that’s why you see almost every master in China using this model.
This model can be finely tuned and calibrated, ensuring that my machine and yours perform similarly. Yes, you heard right—even if you buy the same machine, without knowing my calibration method, you can’t just follow my temperature settings for your work. You might end up damaging the motherboard or ripping solder pads.
Due to its popularity in our iPhone repair community, there are many fake Quick 861DW units on the market. Be sure to ask the seller for an original unit.
If you need a trusted seller, I have a few here.
Quick 861DW Hot Air Station – AliExpress China DIYPHONE Store
Warning: If you are not using the same hot-air machine, you cannot fully follow the temperature and airflow settings shown in my training videos. Even with calibration, performance will not be identical.
For example, I may use 350 °C with airflow 40, but different brands and models use different scales. Some use 1–10, others 1–100, and the values are not equivalent. Setting “40” on another machine does not mean the same airflow or heat output.
Because of this, it’s almost impossible to reproduce the exact same results. All practical videos are for reference only, and you must make your own adjustments based on your equipment.
Nozzle head for 861DW
The original nozzle heads that come with it are available in three sizes, but for my class, that’s not enough. To truly master heat control, you need to purchase three additional nozzles of different sizes. I will explain why and when to use each size in the “Heat Control Lesson.” This will help you understand the importance of choosing the right nozzle for different soldering tasks, ensuring efficient and precise heat application.
Buy straight nozzles: 12 mm is mandatory; 3 mm and 5 mm are optional.
861DW Optional Nozzles – AliExpress China DIYPHONE Store.
45-Degree Bend Nozzle: Not Recommended
I don’t recommend using a bent nozzle because the airflow is affected, which slightly alters the heat distribution. However, if your microscope doesn’t have the same lighting as mine, it might block your ability to heat the IC directly from above; in that situation, a bent nozzle can be used. Heating the logic board from the wrong direction can cause more unwanted side effects or damage.
How to calibrate the hot air station?
In Semester One, the Heat Control lesson includes a video that teaches you how to calibrate and tune the settings. However, you need a temperature sensor with the same performance level. For this, I recommend the Sunshine DT17N multimeter.
Not only can it measure things as we normally use it for diagnosing motherboard repairs, but it also comes with a feature to check the temperature. That’s why it includes a special probe, which can be used with our hot air machine.
Sunshine DT17N Multimeter – AliExpress Sunshine Official Store
Might as well buy this sharp probe for multimeter.
Multimeter Probe Needle Mechanic DS-HP30 – AliExpress China DIYPHONE Store
Soldering Iron Station
Other soldering machines that are not using JBC, it’s either will slow me down or the tip is not suitable for iPhone repairing. Once you tried one of these below, you can never go back.
JBC Compact Station
If you have the budget, this one is sufficient. You’ll see the same design under different model names like CD-2BHQE, CD-2SQE, etc. The model codes can be confusing, but as long as the handle uses the T210 series, the exact model name doesn’t matter. They’re effectively the same.
Keep in mind, the machine does not come with a soldering tip. You need to buy the tip separately or confirm with the seller.
You can buy this machine locally or from any region. It’s not a China-only product, so there’s no need to specifically source it from China. Just contact your nearest seller.
I bought mine from China a few years ago because JBC wasn’t well known in my area back then. At that time, we were still in the Hakko era and thought Hakko was the best. We were wrong until we used JBC.
If money is no issue, go for a higher-end model with dual-handle output. Ask the JBC seller for details.
I don’t have a seller link to share due to export duties from China, so please check with local distributors.
Sugon T26D
If you’re looking for an option significantly cheaper than the JBC, consider a machine that performs almost as well as the JBC station and uses a T210 handle. All T210 tips are compatible with this machine.
The main difference between the Sugon T26 and T26D is the tip dismounting tool for quick swapping, which is located on the right side of the machine. The T26 doesn’t come with this feature. Apart from that, they are completely the same. Without the tool, you have to use something else to unplug the tip while it’s still hot. Go for the T26 if you can’t find any T26D.
This is a China product. Here the place I bought the T26D – Link to AliExpress
Cheapest T210 Soldering Station
If you’re looking for the cheapest option that still meets my qualifications, below a few are the one. China is an amazing country; Sugon has already copied the JBC, and eventually, some brandless companies in China made their own and sold it even cheaper than we can imagine.
I have tested the performance, and I can say it’s good too. It’s sufficient for smartphone repairs. If I use it on larger circuit boards, there will be differences because the highest output power isn’t consistent. But don’t worry, for iPhone or iPad repairs, it’s enough.
Solder tip
Don’t forget to purchase the solder tip or solder cartridge, whichever term they use. I consistently use only two types. If budget isn’t an issue for you, consider buying 2 or 3 of each type.
JBC Solder Tip C210-018 (Knife)
This is the knife head or blade head. Perfect for anything. I love to use this to suck the pads flat without using solder wick. This is the reason why you won’t see I use solder braid before install any IC.
JBC C210-018 – Orginal JBC Tips Seller
Note: There is many different types of tip, select the one called C210-018
JBC Solder Tip C210-002(Sharp Curve)
For very tiny soldering work or jumper.
This one is sharp enough even for the Touch ID flex repair or CPU ripped jumper repair. I prefer the curve one.
The picture above shows the Relife C210 soldering iron tip. In the market, there are many compatible solder tips for the T210 series. So far, Relife offers the best value. I still use some cheap tips for rough work, such as cleaning glue or any tasks that require heavy use of my solder tip. For these, I use compatible tips
I have a similar review video in Youtube.
Relife C210 Series Soldering Iron Tip – AliExpress Sunshine Official Store
C210-K is the knife type of JBC C210-018.
C210-I is the sharp straight tip.
C210-IS is the sharp curve tip.
Thermal Insulation Tape
Remember from my heat control lesson: the rule in my soldering class is to never use thermal tape, coins, or any heat shield when we are doing BGA IC removal or installation.
So, this tape is for a different purpose, not for protecting against heat spreading to unwanted areas. You’ll see how we use it in later lessons.
Link is from the same nozzle seller – Thermal Insulation Tape – AliExpress China DIYPHONE Store
Note: I only use 1cm.
Smartphone Motherboard Repair Holder
My favorite PCB holder isn’t available anymore, but the Mechanic MK1 is the best option I’ve found so far compared to others on the market. What I really like about it is the weight. It’s heavy enough to keep the PCB perfectly still while cutting through hard glue. Another great feature is the built-in IC holder, something my old PCB holder didn’t have. So you don’t need to buy a separate IC holder.
Mechanic MK1 PCB Holder – AliExpress DIYPHONE Store
Flux - AMTECH NC- 559-ASM-UV
I only use AMTECH NC- 559-ASM-UV(TPF).
All the other cheaper brands such as Sunshine, Mechanic, AMAOE… They are totally like a shit comparing to the original Amtech.
The performance of this Amtech flux is exceptional. It’s clean and effective in one application. Most importantly, it has virtually no smell, which is a big plus for me. I prefer my workspace to smell as natural as possible. Once, a student brought their own flux (Relife) to our training room, and not only was the performance poor, but it left the room smelling bad for a day. After that, I made it a rule that students can only use this specific Amtech flux in our training room!
However, be wary of fake Amtech flux, as about 90% of Amtech flux sold in whole world is counterfeit.
Make sure to purchase from an authorized Amtech dealer near you.
As long as you’re purchasing the original product, whether it’s in a green bottle or a blue bottle doesn’t matter.
If you can’t get the original Amtech flux, other brands of flux are still usable, though they may be less effective in soldering and might have a noticeable odor. Since my nose is sensitive to smells, some brands of flux give me headaches.
Syringe
For me, a syringe is used to inject flux, which I always keep in the fridge to extend its lifespan beyond the expiration date. You can buy a syringe from any pharmacy near you.
Rosin
Even you have a thermal camera and you don’t need to smoke the board to find shorting, But I have another purpose for CPU class in Semester 3.
Solder Paste
Senju Solder Paste from Japan
This is the best solder paste I ever used. This brand is called “千住”. It’s not a China product. It’s from Japan! I don’t know the English name. You can try to google the words from the bottle.
Most of the top iPhone repair masters in China are using this.
What about another brand? Mechanic? Well, once you used this and you will never go back to those China brands again.
One of the reasons I love this is because the solder paste’s flux is incredible. It can directly reball on those “unshine” IC pads, always giving me a perfect reball in one shot.
Another reason is that there’s no smoke and absolutely no smell at all. Did you know that every time I visit other master’s working rooms, I get a little headache because of the flux they use? And don’t forget, the solder paste contains some flux too.
In my training room, there’s perfectly no smell. You won’t even feel like you’re in a soldering class.
It has three types. 138°C, 183, 260°C. You should buy the 138°C and 183°C, which we always use.
Here is the dealer (Taobao only) I normally bought from.
Other brand of Solder Paste
If you can’t find Senju solder paste, it’s okay to use the other brands. Here is the list.
1. YCS
2. Mechanic 183c / link2
3. 2UUL
4. Relife 183c
Just make sure to buy the 138°C (For most sandwich board usage) and 183°C (for all our BGA IC).
These two types of solder paste have different melting points: one is use for sandwich board installation, and the other is suitable for all other soldering tasks.
I don’t have any more links to share since AliExpress doesn’t allow solder paste. You’ll need to search for it yourself.
Like I mentioned in my video, solder paste can be hazardous, and that’s why AliExpress bans unknown brands or listings without clear details. They also have to follow ROHS compliance.
Solder Wick or Desolder Braids
I prefer to call it Solder Wick.
Yes, even a solder wick I still picky about it.
Did you know that even solder wicks contain some flux?
Goot is a well-known and one of the oldest soldering companies, originating from Japan. I first came across this brand during the era of the Nokia 3310.
Other brands of solder wick tend to be messy, causing me to clean up after just a few uses. I once bought a large pack of Sunshine solder wick and I still regret it.
If you’re buying solder wick for iPhone repair, I recommend choosing one between 1.5mm and 3.0mm in width.
This seller is selling original import from Japan. Yes, there are many fake Goot solder wicks in the market.
This is an older version of Goot solder braid, but it’s still fine. There are more width options to choose from—both 1.5mm (CP-1515) and 3.0mm (CP-3015) are useful.
Wire and Jumper Tools
Bigger Insulated Wire
Bigger wires can handle higher voltages and heat, which is crucial when you need to locate a short circuit. Using thicker wire allows for more current to pass through without overheating, making it ideal for diagnostic procedures where pinpointing the exact location of a short is necessary. This capability is essential in preventing damage to the wire and surrounding components during the testing process.
0.1mm Cable Copper Wire – AliExpress.
Non-insulated Tiny Wire
Non-insulated wire, 0.007mm and 0.009mm, from Sunshine company is the smallest and not easy to break. It’s useful for repairing broken flex cables or internal traces on logic boards.
I use 0.007mm specifically to repair missing dots on CPUs. So, it’s a good idea to buy both 0.007mm and 0.009mm wires.
Sunshine Official Store Jumper Wires – AliExpress
Dot Repair Pad
This is a must-have item. It’s especially useful for repairing broken or ripped solder pads, whether on the IC itself or on the motherboard. This tool is very helpful for beginners who may not know how to create a fix using tiny jumper wires.
WYLIE Dot-Repairing Soldering Lug – AliExpress DIYPHONE Store
Wylie was the first to design and sell it, but they’re all essentially the same.
UV Masking Glue
Don’t forget that after repairing broken lines or solder pads with jumpers, we still need to secure them with glue. The type of glue we use is called UV masking oil. Once it’s exposed to UV light, it cures instantly and hardens.
Relife 3 Seconds Quick Dry UV Masking Oil – AliExpress Sunshine Official Store
UV Curing Lamp
Any UV lamp can do the job.
Relife RL-014A UV Curing Lamp USB – AliExpress Sunshine Official Store
If you can spend a little more, get this UV Curing Lamp, it comes with power fan that is very useful to cool down the motherboard we just repaired quickly.
Tweezers
Straight Tweezer
I’ve used many kinds of tweezers before, including a high-end brand named Vetus that was originally imported from Switzerland. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with fake Vetus tweezers, and eventually, mine broke.
Luckily, not long after, I discovered AMAOE tweezers, which are by far some of the best I’ve ever used for iPhone Logic Board repair. I’ll explain why I prefer these in the “Heat Control” lesson.
AMAOE Tweezer 16A Pro – AliExpress: Choose the 16C Pro model. Not the blue one. Buy at least 2 or 3.
NOTE: DO NOT use these tweezers for anything other than picking ICs or soldering. They are NOT meant for opening flex cables or prying.
Curved Tweezer
You’ll also need to buy a curved tweezer. When choosing one, look for a curved tip that’s as long as possible. It’s very useful for holding down the stencil when reballing ICs. The longer the tip, the flatter you can hold the stencil. Unfortunately, the model I use isn’t available for sale anymore, so I can’t recommend the exact same one.
But now what i’m using is AMAOE Curved Tweezer AM-13A – AliExpress
In my offline class, I also provide my students with the RELIFE RT-14A/14SA tweezers – AliExpress Sunshine Official Store. This one has passed my standard and qualified suitable for most IC reballing tasks when holding the stencil down.
Tweezer Repair Stone
I use the AMAOE M40 grindstone primarily for repairing tweezers. However, I also have another use for it in my CPU class, which I won’t reveal here. If you’re planning to join CPU semester 3, consider buying it. Alternatively, you can use it to repair bent tweezers; it helps realign the tips to ensure they are balanced.
Surgical Blade #11
The design of this knife/blade is called number 11. We use it for rough jobs, such as cutting wires, scratching the board, or other similar tasks. However, it is commonly used in surgical operation.
There are only two brands I know of that are the best: Swann Morton and Feather. You won’t need the famous brand unless you’re really doing surgical operation.
You won’t need a famous brand unless you’re actually performing surgical operations. For our rough uses, you can easily obtain other brands or those made in China from any local supplier.
Buy this 3 set of QianLi Blade
If you want to fully follow my method for every task, you’ll need the three sets of blades listed below. These specific blades are essential for ensuring that you can handle a variety of challenges effectively, as each set is designed for different purposes within the repair process.
Best Blade for Cutting Adhesive Around ICs
I like to call it 神刀 (Shén dāo), which translates to “God Blade” in English. The actual brand name of this knife is 鸿海通 (Hong Hai Tong).
This blade is the best for cutting glue around ICs. No matter how tight the space, it can get in without affecting the surrounding components. The blade’s head is not too sharp, so it won’t scratch the board.
I strongly recommend it because it is hand-made by a group of old masters who are knife sharpening specialists.
Why can’t other brands of blades do the job? It’s because of the thickness of the blade. Machine-made blades cannot maintain one side thick and the other slim; they can only make the blade uniformly thick. If the entire blade were as slim as one side should be, it would easily bend when heated. Manufacturing such a blade with the required precision would require an investment of hundreds of thousands.
You can buy the whole set if you want, but I only use blade #5 to cut the glue. I’ve never used the other four blades. The handle is quite lovely, and I usually give it as a free gift to my students who pass the “heat control” exam in my offline class.
“God Blade” Hong Hai Tong – AliExpress Shenzhen Kales Store
If budget is not an issue, consider buying the whole set that comes with three handles.
Remember to buy a few of Blade No. 5 to keep as spares.
Microscope
I’ve tried many types of microscopes available for smartphone repair, and by far, this is the best one in terms of value and quality. If you are familiar with Amscope, the quality here is comparable or even better, as they share the same parts.
If you can afford an Olympus or Nikon, you might want to skip this section and contact the authorised dealer.
My Top Microscope Recommendation in 2026
SOPTOP Microscope 6565Pro. This is the one I am currently using. Compared to the model I recommended earlier, it offers higher zoom, with an extra 15×, making it ideal for CPU broken trace repair.
SOPTOP 6565Pro – AliExpress
From the link seller you can pick different options, with or without a camera, and choose between 4K or 8K.
Amscope Microscope
Just in case you can’t get the SOPTOP microscope as I recommended, the quality of Amscope is on par with SOPTOP.
YCS Microscope
YCS microscopes have recently become popular. I’ve checked the quality, and while they’re still less clear than SOPTOP, they’re better than most brandless microscopes on the market. However, the image is noticeably dimmer.
Between Relife, Mechanic, and YCS, I’d choose YCS because it has higher zoom, which is useful for repairing broken CPU pins.
However, I warn you—its higher zoom comes from a high-compression eyepiece lenses, which slightly distorts the middle of the image, making it look like it’s bulging out.
Protect your Microscope
Not only does this glass protector shield your microscope lens from flux smoke, which leaves an oily coating and requires frequent cleaning, but without it, your lens will eventually become permanently dirty and oily—making it impossible to clean properly over time.
RELIFE M-25 Microscope Dustproof Lens – AliExpress SAYTL TOOLS Store
Barlow Lens: Not Recommended
Barlow lenses for microscopes are universal and compatible with most models. A 0.5× Barlow lens increases working distance and field of view by zooming out. A 1.5× or 2× lens does the opposite, increasing magnification but reducing both field of view and working space.
I don’t recommend using 1.5× or 2× Barlow lenses expecting more usable zoom. That’s a mistake. You lose vertical clearance, leaving no flexible space to position a hot-air nozzle underneath. A forced or incorrect nozzle angle is risky and can easily kill the IC or the device.
The only practical use case for me is a low-power Barlow like 0.5× when recording video and needing a wider view.
Microscope Light
First choice in 2026
I highly recommend this microscope light from 2UUL in 2026. The light can be mounted inside and tilted at an angle, and it will not cause polarization issues. It is designed for viewing multiple layers of the CPU.
Second Choice
This microscope LED is a small ring that I also approve of. It doesn’t obstruct the way we point the hot air gun, allowing the techniques from my course to be fully applied. Additionally, this is a new tech in 2025 that come with adjustable Polarized. Look at the image and you will understand.
iFixes iL16 iL37 Microscope Polarized Ring Lights – AliExpress China DIYPHONE Store
Few years ago I would recommend this type of light, but I won’t explain the reasons here again because I believe most of you have already watched my video about microscope lighting. If you haven’t, please visit this link to find out why.
Question
Any questions, please post them in the Semester 1 study group.