Butane Soldering Iron and Tip Care

[m4rkz0r]

I just bought the Portasol 125w butane soldering iron kit because everyone says Portasols are awesome. Do I need it? Well not in the immediate future, but it was a good deal, 64 bucks and some change after tax. Let me first say I'm not completely new to soldering stuff, but I am new to the butane iron.

My 1st question is what kind of butane should I use? I seem to recall hearing something about butane quality and torch life.


My 2nd question is about soldering iron tip care, specifically cleaning and tinning. I've always just tinned my tips with solder and cleaned them with a wet sponge; oh and of course always tinning before storage. I've never used a soldering iron tinner before and was wondering how beneficial it is, and also what brand to get. I've also seen those brass sponges in the soldering section at Frys. Are those suppose to be used in place of a wet sponge or to compliment a wet sponge?

-Mark

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do I need it? Well not in the immediate future, but it was a good deal, 64 bucks and some change after tax.

Where ?!!!!

For that price I want one too !

 

[m4rkz0r]

Where ?!!!!

For that price I want one too !

Off of Amazon Warehose. Most of the stuff I've ordered from there appears to be new open boxed returns and damaged packaging. So it's not even necessarily used. There's actually a few more. for 64.60.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...0&sr=8-1&keywords=portasol+125&condition=used

There's also this Weller PSI100K for 39 + shipping that I was considering from an Amazon Market place seller, but it only come with 3 tips. You gotta have all the tips right? There's only 1 of those left. Oh and I'm pretty sure this is the same Iron with different colors.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...d=&coliid=&condition=new&me=&qid=&seller=&sr=



I've given you what you want! Now help me!!!!!

 

[gte718p]

I used a butane soldering iron a ton doing car audio stuff. I used the normal butane you get at the gas station. Going on 20 years now without a problem.

Can't help with the second part. I usually tin the tip myself, and I generally use a wet paper towel to clean the tip. The sponge that came with my iron got lost 19.9 years ago. My guess is brass works the same as the yellow sponge, it just will not scorch with a hot iron. Really I have no idea though.

 

[rjwilliams]

I know this sounds crazy but you should leave a solder blob on the tip when you are done for preservation of the tip. When you turn it on just let the solder re-flow and make sure the tip is cleaned and dried before using the wet sponge to "thermally shock" it. Then use new solder to begin tinning.

Experience: Coast Guard 2M tech which is the same as the Navy Program

 

[Davefr]

1. Any small bottle of Butane refill should work.

2. I don't like those brass tip cleaners. The theory is they won't cool down the tip like a wet sponge but I find a sponge works better. Yes, always store the tip with some solder left on it.

Those Portasol units are nice.

 

[beamrider]

I've had one of the red RS butane irons since...1990ish. I use the hell out of it anywhere away from my soldering station. Never used any special butane in it, just whatever I could get my hands on at the time . I second the above advise, about leaving a blob on the iron, keeps the tip from oxidizing.

As for the Chore Boy/wet sponge debate....I've always used a sponge, and any yellow kitchen sponge will work, I just cut lines in it before I use it. I think the action of the hot tip hitting something wet physically "pops" contaminents off the tip. Plus, it sounds cool...

EDIT: Wheee, 100th post! That deserves a toast!

 

[m4rkz0r]

Thanks for the input guys, it is very much appreciated. Im glad I don't have to buy fancy quadruple filtered butane. Im surprised no one has used any tinning solution. I thought all the cool kids were using tinner.


I bought some MG chemicals tinner to try out since I did a bit of google searching and some people insist a good tinner is essential. Ive heard it can help restore old oxidized tips. The Amazon reviews for the MG chemicals tinner are good except for the lid on the can. Everyone says the lid is virtually impossible to open, but it's a good tinner.

Thanks again fellow tool junkies.

 

[m4rkz0r]

EDIT: Wheee, 100th post! That deserves a toast!