USB POWERED SOLDERING IRON / 3D PRINT FINISHING TOOL

When it works it works well. It seems that it comes on for about 15 seconds, then goes off for about a minute. Then it comes back on again for another 15 seconds, then it's off again for another minute. This seems to be the way that the temperature is controlled. When it gets in the proper heat range it works wonderfully on smoothing pla plastic. The problem is you've only got maybe 10 seconds to do any work. After that period of time it starts cool down and then the tip starts to stick and makes strings. I believe I read in the description that it had non-stick tips that plastic wouldn't stick to. That is not true, plastic will stick to at least the knife tip. So far it's the only tip I used. It fit very poorly in the soldering iron and wasn't making a good tight contact. I had to push against the sides of the female contact to make it a little bit tighter fit on the knife tip. Like I said when it works it works well, but you only have 10 seconds and then you got to wait another minute for the thing to heat up again. This amounts to a very time-consuming process. I'm going to look for a better, but similar functioning device. One with an adjustable temperature control so that it can provide heat all the time. The USB power source although convenient, I would gladly trade for a 110 volts if the duty cycle could be longer. I could not imagine trying to solder a connection with this thing, it just doesn't stay hot long enough. Unfortunately I was too much in a hurry to get this, so I didn't bother with any of the reviews. Had I read the reviews I would not have ordered this. Fortunately it is rather inexpensive so I'm not returning it. I will attempt to continue using it until I can find something better to replace it. Absolutely no idea what the metal ball in the handle is for, it seems ridiculous to have it in there as it serves no purpose. Also the type of plug that they're using to plug into the end of the handle is designed for audio equipment. Plugging it into the handle, while the other end is hooked into power will cause a momentary short in the plug as it is inserted. It's best to connect the audio connector into the soldering iron handle, before plugging in the USB end into power. by doing this you will avoid short circuiting your USB power supply. The included power cord is just long enough. I was able to smooth the rough spots on my print.

I have not done much with this yet, but just my initial test and impressions have lead me to believe I should have been more patient and perhaps spent a little more. This was about $25 including shipping, for reference.The first oddity was right out of the box. Instead of a mini- or micro-USB port on the device like one would expect, it is a 3mm stereo jack, and includes a stereo jack to USB cable to plug it in with. Never seen that before. I will say that the cable is satisfyingly long, so that's a point in its favor.On plugging it in, nothing seemed to happen at first, but I tried again and the red LED light came on. It heated quickly and worked well. Then the light went out. It cooled off. Later the light came back on again. I do not think it is due to an electrical short however, which was my first thought. There is a metal ball in the handle that I take to be a contact switch, though there is not an immediate or consistent correlation between touching it and the light/heat coming on or going off. Also, there is only the one heat setting, though I only expected the one. It melts PLA prints VERY fast.For what it's worth, the construction seems sturdy enough for me, as long as care is taken replacing the tips. There is a cap for the device that will cover the installed tip, though it does not fit over the "knife" tip. It also comes with a small amount of solder and a metal stand to set the iron on while it's hot. I found it's also useful for scraping plastic off the tips when it sticks. There is no storage included for the additional tips or other parts beyond a small ziplock type baggie.If the heat stayed consistently on or if the contact switch appeared to actually control it, I'd give this 3, perhaps 4 stars. It functions somewhat and doesn't seem libel to fall apart in my hands, so I'm not going all the way to 1 star.

I use this to repair 3D prints that have broken and need to be “welded” back together. For that purpose, this product is great. The main issue is there is no one or off button. It’s either plugged in and on, or unplugged and off.There is also no temperature control.

Had this about two weeks and got it mainly for 3D printing hobby stuff. The 3d smoothing tip works okay, though the temp of the soldering iron is not controlled and you have to be quick or over-melt the plastic. Used the soldering iron tip a few times (on plastic) and it no longer heats up. Honestly not expecting a lot for the price and because of that I gave it 3 stars. Need to check into if and how you can get extra tips (doubt normal soldering iron tips will function with this).

It works well enough, but I find that when changing tips, it is very easy to destroy the little prong at the bottom of each tip piece that inserts into the main body; I wish there was a more robust construction there.

Had to keep plugging and unplugging the device to get it hot enough to work then it would not stay hot. Frustration level went through the roof so I sent it back and they have sent me a new one and I will try it out and let them know.

I love this thing! Iuse it all the time to smooth rough edges on my PLA 3D prints especially where I take supports out. It is worth its weight in gold and has stood up to constant use. It is much more of a workhorse than it seems. The tips are nonstick and it heats up super quickly. I tend to mostly use the spoon shaped one.

Doesn't heat up