Pinecil V2 Review: The $26 Smart Soldering Iron Powered by RISC-V
Running open-source IronOS firmware on a 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller. Why this USB-PD soldering iron makes $200 Weller bench stations obsolete.
Heavy benchtop soldering stations with thick, stiff AC cables used to be mandatory equipment if you wanted temperature control and fast thermal recovery.
The Pinecil V2 proved that smart microelectronics can fit an entire professional soldering station into a tool the size of a standard Sharpie marker.
RISC-V and USB-PD Power Delivery
The heart of the Pinecil is a Bouffalo Lab BL702 32-bit RISC-V microcontroller paired with an OLED status display and two adjustment buttons:
- Powers directly over standard USB-C PD 3.0 up to 65W, or via DC barrel jack up to 88W.
- Heats from room temperature (25C) to 320C in 11.2 seconds flat.
- Runs open-source IronOS firmware with accelerometer-based automatic sleep detection: put the iron down on your silicone mat for 60 seconds, and it automatically ramps down temperature to prevent tip oxidation.
At $26, every hardware developer should have one in their backpack.
Written by Daniel Dano
danieldano.com ↗15-year-old software developer, founder of Ryla Labs (50,000+ monthly users across 12 countries), author of Built Young, and high school student leader.