The Best Microsoldering Tools
If you’re interesting in the tools & equipment we use for Microsoldering & Board Level Diagnostics, you’ve come to the right place.
We have spent lots of money & time using all types of different tools, experimenting & seeing what works. We’ll be linking some of the best tools in the industry. We value quality over price, so some of these aren’t the most affordable, but you’d be happy with the results.
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Soldering Station Kits
Hot Air Station & Soldering Iron Station
Aixun T420D
Dual Iron Soldering Station.
Get the T210 & T115 Handle Set
Perfect for microsoldering repairs
Watch full review HERE
Get the T210 & T115 Handle Set
Perfect for microsoldering repairs
Watch full review HERE
Aixun T210 Iron Tips
Buy spare Aixun T210 Tips. Aftermarket quality at a great price.
C210 is for the T210 handle
C210 is for the T210 handle
Low Cost $150 Soldering Iron Alternative
Aixun T3B w/ T210 Handle & 3 tips
Amazing station & comes with everything you need for a soldering iron station.
Select the T3B T210 option
Watch full review HERE
Select the T3B T210 option
Watch full review HERE
DC Power Supply Tools
Essential Bench Tools
Microscopes & Accessories
Complete List Of Everything You Need
Parco Simul-Focal Stereo Microscope 7X-45X Zoom
This is the bare bones microscope. You'll need to add the light, barlow, camera, etc.
AmScope 56 LED Scope Light
This light is better than the 144 LED version, for many reason explained in the Amazon reviews
4K Microscope Camera
Amazing quality camera for recording video through your scope. Comes with 5mm Spacer. Requires Reduction Lens
5mm Spacer
Required to allow the camera & your eye pieces to be in focus at the same time. Check if your scope camera comes with one
Polarizer LED Ring Light for Microscope
Fancy light that lets you see past the glare. Highly recommend it!
Elgato 4K USB3.0 Capture Card
You need this to connect your Scope camera to your PC. PC Requires a USB 3.0 port for this to work.
OBS Software
OBS let's you see & record your microscope camera. This is what I use to record my YouTube Videos
Fume Extractor
Build Your Own DIY Fume Extract
4in Air Carbon Filter
Attach this filter to the exhaust of the Inline Fan. The air should flow INTO this filter.
4in 205 CFM Inline Fan
This is what sucks the fumes out of the air. The arrow on the inlet tells you which direction the air flows. You want the air to flow towards the Carbon Filter.
4in Aluminum Ducting (8ft)
Route this ducting to your working area. Attach one end to the Inlet of the inline fan.
4in to 2.5in Reducer
Use this to be able to attach the 4in Aluminum ducting to the 2.5in Flexible Hose.
2.5in Flexible Hose (3ft)
Attach this to the 4in to 2.5 reducer. Allows you to get this real close to your working area without taking up a lot of space. Use Zip Ties to hold it to your scope for even better convenience.
4in Duct Filter
This is a small net to place over the end of the tube. Helps prevent any small objects being sucked into the fume extractor.
Thermal Camera
The Best Thermal Cam Solution for Board Repair Techs
NAND Programmers
Configure the NAND replacements with these tools
iRepair P10 Purple Mode Programmer
This allows you to program NAND on iPhone 6 - iPhone X devices via USB. No soldering needed. Also supports many iPads. Can unlock WiFi too!
JC P13 NAND & Purple Programmer
This can do Purple Mode like the iRepair P10, but can also program NANDs of iPhone 8 to iPhone 13 Pro Max. It can also recover NAND data from iPhone 8 to 11 series.
Multimeter
A MUST for any board level tech
iPhone Sandwich Tools
Heaters, Reballing Jigs, Sockets, Supplies
& other helpful tools for 2 layer motherboards
Mechanic iX5 Max Board Heater
Use this to split & resolder the sandwich. Compatible with iPhone X, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max.
You may need to shave the posts down, so the board sits easily onto it.
You may need to shave the posts down, so the board sits easily onto it.
X360 Heater for iPhone 12 & 13
I'd recommend this heater for the 12 & 13 series since they require more heat. I generally use 200-220C for these models.
Select the "X-13PM FaceID mold" option
Select the "X-13PM FaceID mold" option
Qianli iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max Reballing Jig
I'll be honest, I haven't tested this version of it. But i heard the iPhone 11 part of it doesn't work well. Unfortunately, they no longer sell the iPhone 11 only jig anymore.
(Select the iPhone 11/11P/11PM model)
(Select the iPhone 11/11P/11PM model)
Low Melt 158C Sandwich Solder Paste
Use this solder paste for the best outcome for reballing sandwich boards.
Qianli iSocket for X, XS, XSM
You NEED this if you're going to do any sandwich work. This allows you to connect the top & bottom layers together temporarily for testing.
Qianli iSocket for iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
You NEED this if you're going to do any sandwich work. This allows you to connect the top & bottom layers together temporarily for testing.(Use promo code "VCCBR" for 5% off)
Qianli iSocket for iPhone 12, 12P, 12PM, 12 Mini
This sandwich jig also has a cutout for the 5G antenna, so you don't have to remove the flex.
(Use promo code "VCCBR" for 5% off)
(Use promo code "VCCBR" for 5% off)
Reballing Stencils for iPhone 12 & 13
These Reballing Stencils are the best I've found so far for iPhone 12 series and 13 series, due to the 5G antenna flex on the bottom board.
More Useful Tools
All the other misc. tools, supplies, etc you may need
Jumper Wire 0.02mm
This wire is non-insulated, so it's easy to install & great for small/short jumpers. I use this for Audio IC repairs.
Kester 63/37 Rosin Core 183C Solder Wire
This is leaded solder that you'd use for pretty much everything.
2uul Brass Screwdrivers
So far, the best screwdrivers I've found for phone repair. They're very heavy & feel great in hand.
USB Meter Tester
You NEED this. It allows you to read the USB charging current for any USB device. Great thing about it is that it has 4 digits after decimal.
USB C Meter Tester
I love this thing for testing USB C devices. It has a switch to go between normal 5V USB C and USB C PD.
Clean Room Wipes
These are lint free & great for wiping down a board. Also if you fold them in half twice, you can use it to reball your ICs on top of.
Sunshine External Battery Charger
This allows you to charge an iPhone battery externally. Super helpful to diagnose a bad battery too!
Watch video here.
Watch video here.
Authentic Amtech Flux
When buying flux, make sure you buy from trusted sources. I prefer this flux Amtech NC-559-ASM
Mechanic XG-50 Reballing Paste (183C)
Reballing Paste used for all ICs. Has a melting point of 183C.
Qianli 007 Hook
Great for cleaning underfill & lifting ICs that are underfilled like NAND, WiFi, etc.
Mijing K23 Pro Board Holder
Great universal board holder. I use it a lot for Samsung boards.
2x2in Steel Block
Very versatile block. It's heavy so you can use it to hold down boards, or as a stand to tape flex cables you're working on. Or place a hot board on it to cool it down faster.
4x4in Steel Block
Just like the 2x2, but bigger. Also it cools downs boards way faster too.
Baking Mat
Use this as your working mat. it won't burn or warp with the high heat of your hot air station.
Mini Heatsinks
These copper shims are great for heat sinking. Place them on the CPU or any component you want to avoid overheating.
Magico DFU Cable
The name is inaccurate. It doesn't actually get it into DFU mode. But it will get an iPhone to boot into Recovery Mode, which is useful when you have the board out of the housing & need to restore it.
Needle Squeeze Drip Bottles
I have these full with Isopropyl Alcohol and use them regularly to clean IC's and board.
PPD120 iPhone Board Heater
I use this for almost all repairs. Set to 120C, it helps warm up for the board for any solder work & makes it easy to remove underfill. Fits all single layer iPhone boards
Mechanic Green UV Mask
Use this to hold jumper wires in place, cover exposed ground plane & more! Cures with a UV light
YouTube Camera Gear
Everything you need to record your own YouTube Videos
Sony A7 IV Camera Bundle
I use this as my main video camera for intros & outros. This is a bundle kit with everything you need to get started.
4k USB Camera (2.8-12mm)
This is the main camera that points to me at my workbench. It's manual focus.
Small Bench Tripod
I use this to attach to the 2.8-12mm 4k USB Camera. It's great because you can retract it to get the camera out of the way when not in use.
4K USB Camera
(5-50mm)
This camera is what points to my hands/working area & has great zoom abilities. Also manual focus camera.
Mini Tripod
This is what holds the zoom 4k USB camera that's pointing to my hands. It's super low profile, so perfect for this use case.
Workbench Light
These help light up my workbench & my face. They're mounted under my shelf.
Soft Light
I have this above my working area pointed to my face. Works great for short distance lightning.
RGB LED Light
I have 2 of these behind me, to light up the background with different colors. You can control it through your phones via Bluetooth.
Portable Tripod
I use 2 of these to hold the RGB LED Light. They're super light weight and great for this use case.