iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system

Hacker News

After years of making screwdrivers and teaching people to repair electronics, we just made our first electronic tool. It's been a journey for us to build while hewing to our repairable principles. We're really excited about it. It's a USB-C powered soldering iron and smart battery power hub. Super repairable, of course. Our goal is to make soldering so easy everyone can do it: https://www.ifixit.com/fixhub We didn’t want to make just another iron, so we spent years sweating the details and crafting something that met our exacting standards. This is a high-performance iron: it can output 100W of heat, gets to soldering temperature in under 5 seconds, and automatically cools off when you set it down. The accelerometer detects when you pick it up and heats it back up. Keeping the iron at a lower temperature while you’re not soldering shouold prolong the life of the tip. What’s the difference between this iron and other USB-C irons on the market? Here’s a quick list: Higher power (our Smart Iron is 100W, competitors max out at 60W over USB-C, 88W over DC Supply) Heat-resistant storage cap (you just have to try this out, it’s a real game changer in day-to-day use) Polished user experience A warranty and a local company to talk to (I can’t find any contact information for Miniware) Comfier / more natural grip Shorter soldering tip length No-tangle, heat-resistant cable Locking ring on the cable, so it can’t snag and get disconnected (this happens to me all the time on other irons) More intuitive settings, either on the Power Station or on the computer We used Web Serial https://caniuse.com/web-serial for the interface, which is only supported in Chromium browsers. The biggest bummer with that is that no mobile browsers support it, yet. Hopefully that changes soon. Hardware is hard! It's been a journey for us. Happy to answer any questions about how we made it. Schematics and repair information are online here: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/FixHub_Portable_Soldering_Stat...

Visit product View on Hacker NewsSep 12, 2024

Share card

Actual performance

928points

405comments

Made the leaderboard

Launch Intel predictions

Analyze your own launch →

Indie HackersFits the IH revenue-focused audience · Strong signals: created · Missing: supports, reddit linkedin, podcasting

90%90% predicted probability of success on Indie Hackers, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

best fitHighest predicted score across all platforms for this description.

AppSumoStrong fit for a featured deal · Strong signals: intuitive, interface, soon · Missing: plus, platform, reviews

67%67% predicted probability of success on AppSumo, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Hacker NewsStrong engagement from HN community · Strong signals: excited, io · Missing: https docs, just released, exist

64%64% predicted probability of success on Hacker News, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

nativeThis product was originally launched on this platform.

Product HuntOn track for Day 1 leaderboard · Strong signals: user, computer, new · Missing: mac, agents, macos

59%59% predicted probability of success on Product Hunt, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

TrustMRRFits verified-revenue profile · Missing: mobile apps, ios, personal

52%52% predicted probability of success on TrustMRR, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Acquire.comPre-revenue stage for this audience · Strong signals: arr · Missing: mrr, revenue, profit

11%11% predicted probability of success on Acquire.com, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

BetaListMay not resonate with beta-testers · Strong signals: smart · Missing: web3, chat, crypto

0%0% predicted probability of success on BetaList, based on ML models trained on real launch data.

Correct prediction on native model

Similar products

Created new Django timecard app33%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Created new Django timecard app

Hacker News1

NewsFreak: A newsreader I initially created for myself40%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

NewsFreak: A newsreader I initially created for myself

Hacker News1

I created a toothbrush that docks and charges without wires42%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

I created a toothbrush that docks and charges without wires

Hacker News2

I'm tired of corrupt US politicians, so I created this38%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

I'm tired of corrupt US politicians, so I created this

Hacker News334

Created Gapsly, Now What?47%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Created Gapsly, Now What?

Hacker News2

Stumpy – StumbleUpon Re-Created45%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Stumpy – StumbleUpon Re-Created

Hacker News3

My grandfather died so I created RIP35%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

My grandfather died so I created RIP

Hacker News1

Why I created Picket35%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Why I created Picket

Hacker News1

I just created a new language called Y41%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

I just created a new language called Y

Hacker News2

Twosome - app created originally for my girlfriend39%Launch Intel prediction score: how likely this product is to succeed on its source platform, based on its name, tagline, and description.

Twosome - app created originally for my girlfriend

Hacker News32

Browse all products Analyze your launch