Miniware has simply launched their newest precision soldering iron, the TS21. It’s designed for makers, hobbyists, and professionals who desire a compact, moveable soldering resolution. On this overview, I’ll stroll you thru the options, efficiency, and my general impressions of the TS21 — and whether or not it’s an excellent match for FPV drone constructing and repairs.
To be taught extra about instruments for soldering, try my purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/soldering-iron-buyers-guide/
The place to Purchase
Get the TS21 soldering iron from:
Within the field, you’ll discover:
- The soldering iron physique
- A soldering tip (the TS21-KU blade tip)
- A set of coloured heatshrinks for the deal with
- A handbook
Design and Construct
Proper out of the field, the TS21 feels premium. The aluminum alloy physique provides it a stable, sturdy really feel.
It’s noticeably extra compact in comparison with older fashions just like the TS80 or TS101, making it the smallest Miniware soldering iron thus far. Regardless of its compact dimension, it weighs about the identical because the TS100 and TS101 — nonetheless mild sufficient for precision work.
The design is smooth and useful:
- OLED Show: A brilliant 0.91-inch display screen exhibits temperature, modes, and menu choices.
- Controls: Two buttons on the physique for fast changes and navigation.
The soldering suggestions are smaller in diameter than these used on the TS80 or TS101. They slide in and lock with a easy click on, making tip adjustments quick and safe.
Once I first opened the field, I used to be a bit puzzled by the coloured heatshrinks — till I noticed they’re meant as anti-slip grips for the deal with. You’ll be able to shrink one onto the physique with a sizzling air gun for higher consolation and a personalised look. Truthfully, they’re non-obligatory — I’d solely trouble if sweaty fingers are a problem for you.
Lastly, the USB-C energy port is positioned on the finish of the iron. It helps 18–100W USB-C PD adapters, that means you possibly can run it off a high-power wall charger or perhaps a PD-compatible energy financial institution.
Options and Settings
Like different Miniware soldering irons, the TS21 comes with a settings menu which you can navigate with the 2 buttons.
Among the key adjustable parameters embrace:
- Sleep mode timer
- Sleep temperature
- Working temperature
- Most energy
The menu is intuitive and the buttons are responsive, making it easy to function. The show additionally has auto-rotation, so the display screen orientation immediately flips relying on which manner you maintain the iron.
One characteristic I significantly love is the temperature presets. You’ll be able to set three customized temps and cycle by them immediately with a single click on of the button. I’ve mine set at 450°C, 400°C, and 350°C for various jobs, which saves a ton of time in comparison with holding the button down a number of clicks simply to regulate.
There’s additionally a built-in LED mild close to the tip that lights up your workspace. It’s surprisingly helpful when soldering in low mild or tight areas.
The sleep mode works completely too — when the iron rests in its stand, it mechanically lowers the temperature, serving to protect tip life and save energy.
Right here’s the handbook.
Efficiency Testing: Blazing Quick Heating
The heating pace of the TS21 blew me away. In my exams, it hit 450°C in underneath 5 seconds! That’s insane. For comparability, TS100 takes 13 seconds whereas the HGLRC RC2 takes 11 seconds.
This pace is partly as a result of smaller soldering tip — much less mass means much less power required to warmth it up. The upside is that it additionally cools down extraordinarily rapidly, reaching decrease temperatures in simply a few seconds.
Mixed with the presets, this makes switching temps for various duties almost seamless.
Downsides: Small Tip Dimension
The compact tip has a giant draw back: it struggles with massive solder joints that demand extra warmth. For instance, when soldering an XT60 connector to a 4in1 ESC, I discovered myself holding the wires down for too lengthy, which overheated the pad and nearly burned my fingers. Not excellent for giant jobs.
I actually want Miniware provided bigger suggestions for the TS21. Because it stands, it’s unbelievable for micro drones (3-inch and smaller, together with tiny whoops), however the tiny tip may battle when engaged on heavy-duty builds like 5-inch and 7-inch quads with thick XT60 wires and high-current ESCs with great amount of copper traces.
Energy Consumption
One other statement: regardless that I set the TS21’s most energy to 100W, it not often got here shut. Utilizing a 100W PD energy financial institution, I monitored real-time utilization and usually noticed 50–60W, even throughout preliminary heat-up that usually makes use of essentially the most energy. It nonetheless feels lots highly effective, but it surely’s value noting in the event you anticipated it to constantly draw 80–100W.
Different Soldering Iron Suggestions
My TS21 got here with two further cone needle suggestions, that are clearly designed for precision work. Personally, I discover the inventory blade tip wonderful for FPV builds — it strikes the fitting steadiness between precision and the power to deal with reasonably massive joints. Except you do extraordinarily positive electronics work, there’s little must swap suggestions. That mentioned, I do want bigger suggestions have been out there.
Additionally observe that the TS21 suggestions are noticeably smaller than these utilized by the TS100 or TS101, and sadly, they’re not cross-compatible. You’ll want suggestions particularly designed for the TS21.
Is It Ideally suited for FPV Pilots?
The TS21’s light-weight design, speedy heating, and built-in LED mild make it a pleasure to make use of. Swapping suggestions is fast and painless, and the compact dimension makes it straightforward to retailer and transport. For fast area repairs, FPV drone builds, or delicate electronics, it’s a really succesful and versatile iron.
Nevertheless, there may be one disadvantage: the TS21 solely accepts USB-C enter. Not like common fashions such because the TS100, TS101, or HGLRC RC2 — which could be powered immediately from a LiPo battery — the TS21 requires both a USB-C energy financial institution (at the very least 100W) or a LiPo-to-USB-C adapter. This makes it barely much less versatile within the area.
Powerbank suggestion (get one which’s 100W or greater):
XT60 (LiPO) to USB-C Energy Adapter (100W+): https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_okM2ZHl
Ultimate Ideas
The Miniware TS21 is a superb moveable soldering iron that delivers insanely quick heating, a 450°C max temperature, and considerate options like sleep mode and an LED work mild. Whereas it’s not designed particularly for FPV, its compact type issue and reliability make it a robust choice for area repairs and micro drone builds.
That mentioned, the tiny tip dimension means it could battle with bigger solder joints like XT60 connectors and high-current ESC energy pads. For these jobs, irons just like the TS101 or HGLRC RC2 are extra versatile decisions:
For bench work, I like to recommend a correct soldering station just like the AiXun T3A, which is presently my each day driver: https://oscarliang.com/aixun-t3a-soldering-station/
In search of instruments for constructing and repairing FPV drones? Try my purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-tools/
