Portable Soldering Station

Introduction to the Ultimate Portable Soldering Station

Introducing the future of on-the-go electronics repair and prototyping with the innovative Portable Soldering Station. Designed and contained within a robust 14x12x4 hard case, this compact yet fully-featured station ensures all essential tools and functionality are at your fingertips, whether in the workshop, at a client's site, or out in the field.

Key Features

1. Power Outlet for Soldering Iron: The integrated power outlet is specifically designed to accommodate a soldering iron, providing stable and reliable power for precision work.
2. Built-In Exhaust Fan: Safety is paramount, sothe built-in exhaust fan efficiently removes fumes and smoke, ensuring a clean and healthy working environment.
3. Built-In Worklights: Built-in worklights that provide optimal lighting conditions, allowing you to see even the smallest details with clarity.
4. AC-DC Connector for Fan and Worklights (12V): A versatile AC-DC connector powers the exhaust fan and worklights, ensuring they run smoothly and consistently.
5. LCD Display for Monitoring DC Voltage: LCD display that monitors the DC voltage, giving real-time updates and peace of mind while working.
6. Dedicated Compartments for Electronics: Keep components organized and within reach with thoughtfully designed compartments, eliminating clutter.
7. 3D-Printed Holders for Multiple Tools: Custom 3D-printed holders securely store tools, ensuring they are neatly arranged and easily accessible when needed.
8. Silicone Mat for Soldering: Protect surfaces and improve soldering precision with a durable silicone mat that provides a reliable and heat-resistant workspace.
9. Soldering Arms and Vice for Gripping Boards: Gain extra precision and stability with integrated soldering arms and a vice, perfect for holding circuit boards and components securely in place during work.

3D Printer and Filament

• Creality K1: A reliable and high-performance 3D printer that I personally used to print out the 3D printed parts.
• Hyper PLA: Durable and easy-to-use filament that provides high-quality prints suitable for various prototyping needs.

Adafruit Supplies

1. Adafruit PCB Ruler v2 - 6": A multifunctional ruler that includes a variety of useful measurement tools and PCB design references. Product Link
2. Panel Volt Meter - 4.5V to 30VDC: A compact digital voltmeter for monitoring DC voltage levels in your projects. Product Link
3. Flush Diagonal Cutters - CHP170: High-precision cutters designed for clean and accurate trimming of wires and leads. Product Link
4. Fine Tip Straight Tweezers - ESD Safe - 135mm: Precision tweezers for handling small components safely and accurately. Product Link
5. Engineer Professional Silicone-Tip Solder Sucker: An efficient tool for removing excess solder during rework and repairs. Product Link
6. Multi-size Wire Stripper & Cutter - 5023: A versatile tool for stripping and cutting various wire sizes with ease. Product Link
7. ESD-Safe PCB Cleaning Brush: A safe and effective brush for cleaning PCBs and removing debris. Product Link
8. Hakko Precision Flat Pliers: High-quality pliers for gripping, bending, and manipulating small components. Product Link
9. Soldering Iron Stand: A stable stand to safely hold your soldering iron when not in use. Product Link
10. ATTEN 65-Watt Soldering Iron With Digital Adjustable Temperature - ST-2065D 110V: A powerful soldering iron with precise temperature control for detailed soldering tasks. Product Link
11. Adafruit Carbon Filter - 4.8" x 4.8" Square: An effective carbon filter designed to capture and neutralize fumes and odors during soldering and other electronics work, ensuring a cleaner and safer workspace. Product Link
12. Snap Boxes: For storing materials:
13. Stickvise PCB Vise: A low-profile vise designed to hold PCBs flat on a table for stable and precise soldering and probing. Product Link
14. Insulated Silicone Rework Mat - 34cm x 23cm Work Surface - Blue: A heat-resistant mat that protects surfaces and provides a safe area for soldering and rework. Product Link
15. Solder Wick - 0.8mm wide and 1.5m / 5 feet long: A tool for efficiently removing excess solder from PCBs. Product Link
16. Chip Quik No-Clean Liquid Flux Pen – 10ml Pen w/ Tip - CQ4LF: A flux pen that enhances solder flow and improves electrical connections. Product Link
17. Metal Rework Station Stand with Two Clips and Four PCB Holders: A versatile stand that holds multiple PCBs and components for rework and assembly. Product Link

Amazon Supplies

1. Waterproof Hard Case with DIY Customizable Foam Insert - 14 x 12 x 4in: A durable and customizable hard case for safely storing and transporting your soldering station. Product Link
2. Noctua NF-A14 iPPC-3000 PWM, Heavy Duty Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 3000 RPM (140mm, Black): A high-performance cooling fan designed to extract the fumes. Product Link
3. Wall Outlet Socket: Choose a suitable wall outlet socket according to your regional standards.
4. 12v AC-DC Supply: Product Link

Gobilda Supplies

1. LED Light Panel (XT30 Input): A bright LED panel providing excellent illumination for your workspace. Product Link
2. XT30 Extension (FH-MC to MH-FC, 150mm Length): An extension cable for connecting XT30 power inputs to various components. Product Link

Create custom cases for tools that require protection and organization. Print cases for tools such as flush diagonal cutters, fine tip straight tweezers, silicone-tip solder sucker, multi-size wire stripper & cutter, ESD-safe PCB cleaning brush, Hakko precision flat pliers, and soldering iron stand. Ensure that each case is designed to fit the specific dimensions of the tool snugly, providing adequate protection and easy access when needed. Use the Creality K1 3D printer and Hyper PLA filament for precise and durable prints.

I printed with 15% infill, and used creality hyper pla, but and pla can be used to make these cases. They can be printed with minimal support, which comes off when the part is pulled off the build plate.

ACN and ACL Wiring:

Identify the ACN (Neutral) and ACL (Live) terminals on the AC outlet for the soldering iron. Connect this to the 3PAC connector, with 2 wires, ignoring the middle ground wire. Soldering another joint, connect both sockets to the ac-dc connector (acn goes to acn, acl goes to acl).

For the AC-DC connector powering the 12V lights and fan, identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the AC-DC adapter. This would be on the DC Side. Connect the 2 lights in parralel using the xt30 connectors, and use another xt30 connector to connect to the fan. Lastly connect one more xt30 connector to the dc side of the ac-dc converter. Cut the wires to put into the screw terminals. Connect the positive wire (usually red) to the positive terminal and the negative wire (usually black) to the negative terminal. Use proper insulation and strain relief techniques to prevent short circuits or wire damage.

Outlet Hole:

Determine the optimal location for mounting the AC outlet inside the case, considering accessibility and safety. Mark the position for drilling the hole based on the dimensions of the outlet. Use a drill bit appropriate for the size of the outlet's mounting screws to create the hole. Ensure the hole is positioned securely and aligned properly with the outlet's mounting points.

Fan Hole:

Choose a suitable location for mounting the exhaust fan inside the case to ensure effective ventilation. Mark the position for drilling the fan hole, accounting for airflow direction and clearance from other components. Use a drill bit matching the size of the fan's mounting holes to create the hole. Take care to position the hole accurately and avoid damaging the case material.

Arranging Components:

Begin by arranging the components in the case according to the pre-planned layout. Place the snap boxes containing small electronic parts and components in the bottom layer of the case for easy access and organization. Position the main electronics such as the power outlet, AC-DC adapter, and voltage monitoring LCD on top of the snap boxes, ensuring secure mounting and proper wiring.

Next, install the soldering iron securely in its designated spot, ensuring that the power cord is neatly routed and connected to the AC outlet inside the case. Refer to the attached picture [Attachment: Picture1.jpg] for guidance on the placement and orientation of the components.

Organizing Tools:

Arrange the 3D-printed cases for tools such as flush diagonal cutters, fine tip straight tweezers, and multi-size wire stripper & cutter in the designated slots within the case. Ensure that each tool case is securely seated and easily accessible when needed.

Installing Vice and Arms:

Mount the vice and soldering arms securely in their respective positions within the case, using screws or bolts to ensure stability during use. Arrange the arms and vice to optimize workspace ergonomics and accessibility, allowing for comfortable soldering and assembly tasks.

Placing Silicone Mat:

Finally, place the silicone mat on top of the arranged tools and components, providing a heat-resistant and non-slip surface for soldering and assembly work. Ensure that the mat covers the entire working area and is securely positioned within the case.

Final Inspection:

Perform a final inspection of the installed items to ensure proper alignment, stability, and functionality. Refer to the attached picture [Attachment: Picture2.jpg] for verification of the completed assembly. Adjust any components or tools as necessary to optimize space and accessibility within the case.

In conclusion, the development of this portable soldering station has been a journey to better manage my soldering equipment. Through careful selection of components, thoughtful arrangement of tools, and strategic integration of technology, the soldering station is able to have portability and versatility. The 3D-printed tool cases tailored to fit each instrument perfectly allows for better organization of tools. The modular design of the soldering station allows for easy customization and expansion, empowering users to adapt the workstation to their specific needs and preferences. Whether it's adding new tools, upgrading existing components, or incorporating advanced features, this soldering station provides a solid foundation for endless possibilities and future innovation. Each tool 3d print has holes for magnets on the bottom, allowing for future modifications of a magnetic tray to better hold the cases, and hide electronics. This project allows safe soldering to be made portable, and to better organize electronic equipment.

Below is my GrabCad account with complete cads of the tools:

https://grabcad.com/vedic.patel-1/models

Cad Models to 3D Print are also attached