Butane soldering iron

[SC-AW11]

Hey Im looking for a portable soldering, probably butane.

I have a snap on student discount so i was looking at this kit,

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681035&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Probably will come out to around 70.
I was reading snap on rebrands portasol so would I be wasting money buying the snap on kit over this portasol kit? (only difference I really see in a quick glance is no heat shrink tip)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Portasol-Pr...933?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item417257bd35

Thank you

 

[MattPersman]

I have it at the portosol and I know someone who has it as the snap on. I am unsure about the warranty on both quite frankly i think these things are very reliable. might be easier to get the snap on parts separate if you needed them like if you lost a tip or whatever the case may be.

The portosol will save you a few bucks...could by 3 pairs of snap on socks with the savings

 

[dwp99]

I use the Master Appliance Ultra Torch UT100i and I've had good luck with it. I think that the tool trucks carry them or can get them. I can't remember what I paid for mine but I've had it for about 10 -12 years. http://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/butane-powered/ultratorches/ultratorch-ut-100si

 

[rshadd]

I have the Weller Portasol PSI100K and it's really handy. It lights on the first click and heats up fast. I think that I paid about $70 for the kit.

 

[KSB]

x2 on the Weller kit. I have used one for years when it is not handy to plug in an iron.

 

[rlitman]

I was reading snap on rebrands portasol so would I be wasting money buying the snap on kit over this portasol kit? (only difference I really see in a quick glance is no heat shrink tip)

The heat shrink tip, and the piece that deflects the heat so you can shrink all around 360 degrees at once is in both kits. Look closer. It is there. Heat shrink tip is the middle of the left set of 3. The deflector is sticking out from under the cap. Same place in both kits.

Yes, Snap On rebrands Portasol. It is the same tool, and there is no Snap On Lifetime warranty with this anyway. I will admit to owning the YAKS1 Snap On kit, but I also own several Portasols. I'd suggest getting the cheaper one. They're the same, and VERY good.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the yaks32a and it is AWESOME. I know I could have bought the seller portasol cheaper but my snap on guy had it and I needed it now.

 

[SC-AW11]

hmm does anyone know if the snap on tips will work on the portasol? or where you can get portasol tips or parts?

portasol seems like a great cheaper version thats virtually the same thing, with the same 1 year warranty, but Im unsure of parts availability in the long run

 

[Tarheelgarage]

The powerprobe butane set is what you need...
$50
I've been using mine for 10 years; works great...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DIE9BO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Junkman]

I have the MAC version, and it is dead. Contacted MAC, and they said that they don't repair them. When they fail, throw it away and buy another. It doesn't light, and if I light it with a match, it will not produce a flame sufficient enough to even burn you finger. Worse tool that I can ever remember buying..

 

[wise]

Another vote for the PowerProbe ppsk. Works great!

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I have the Mac one and love it Matco also sells the same unit. I like the replaceable fuel cells that it comes with.

 

[MattPersman]

Definitely the portosol over the other ones plus they are only like 54 bucks

 

[racingtadpole]

Where I work these are industry standard. Everything else is just a toy (we've tried pretty much all of them at one time or another and we keep coming back to the Portasols). One of the few portable gas powered irons you can buy spares for if required also.

 

[Indyducati]

I too am a Weller fan.

Weller Portasol PSI100K

There's one in my tool case.
Lights easily, heats quickly.
New tips are easy to find.

Steve

 

[3xpendable]

I have this one too. I love it

 

[Davefr]

The Portasol is the best value (more accessories in the kit) and they make them for just about everybody else. That's the one to get IMHO.

 

[netcaretaker]

+1 on the weller, I have that exact one and it works great. Funny, I worked in the industry and all we could get to keep working was the we could continue to use for years was the weller.