Butane soldering kits recommendations

[zarbat007]

Hi everyone. Looking to get a butane soldering kit. I will also consider corded soldering irons (not the soldering stations). Will be used mostly on vehicles.

So far I've looked at:

Snap-on YAKS42
https://shop.snapon.com/product/But...as-Soldering-Iron-Kit-(25–130-W)-(Red)/YAKS42

Portasol, which is the manufacturer of Snap-on YAKS32 that was discontinued in 2018.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003H6NN2Q/?tag=atomicindus04-20

PowerProbe
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001DIE9BO/?tag=atomicindus04-20

I'm not paying anywhere near that MSRP pricing on the Snap-on website. I can get it for $30-$40 more than the price for Portasol unit.

What would be your pick?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Git]

I have had my Portasol Super Pro for about 10 years now. It looks just like the one at your link, but my case is red. Works great and does what I want. Personally, I don't feel the need to buy into 'designer name' tools, I would buy the Portasol again if something happened to mine

 

[george4]

Had the power probe for several years until lost. Very handy for remote light soldering and heat shrink. Will probably replace with same..

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are just soldering wires in vehicles that are smaller than 16 AWG, consider a battery operated one. The have come a long way !

The trick to soldering broken wires is to tin both wire before trying to solder them together. You also need a device to hold the wire in position while soldering (2 alligator clips joined by a piece of 12 AWG solid copper wire).

 

[ducksface]

The portasol is very nice. You snap the trigger and it starts with no fuss.
So handy to take the iron to the field instead of dragging a whole tractor into the shop.
It also works great for making holes in plastic for switches and for cutting plastic.

Depending on what you're soldering I also really really really like that $12 hf butane torch.
Like, like it a lot.

 

[Flash and Flare]

I think this is the one I bought, works great.

Shop around I paid $63 for mine and have seen them for well over $100

https://www.ebay.com/itm/281952407915

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

 

[chevy302dz]

If you are just soldering wires in vehicles that are smaller than 16 AWG, consider a battery operated one. The have come a long way !

The trick to soldering broken wires is to tin both wire before trying to solder them together. You also need a device to hold the wire in position while soldering (2 alligator clips joined by a piece of 12 AWG solid copper wire).

I have a several decade old version and it's been excellent (replacement battery packs are available) I can only assume the newer models are a improvement. https://iso-tip.com/

 

[ca90ss]

Best soldering iron for working on vehicles.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Crimpers/9%22-Wire-Terminal-Crimping-Tool-(Red)/29ACF

 

[anndel]

Had 4 Master Appliances and after a while, they all leaked butane and died. The same with a Weller which looks exactly like the Master Appliance plus they were all made in Japan. Working on the Power Probe iron and so far it's been great going on 3 years now.

 

[Snapped-off]

I've got that portasol set and even with the Canadian inflation it wasn't anywhere near that price.

I've probably put 3 cans of butane in it over the years so it hasn't seen much use but it's super handy.

 

[qdvuu]

Another vote for Portasol

 

[kngelv]

Portasol vote here.

James

 

[darkzero]

Portasol is made by Weller. I've had the Portasoll PK2C for 20 yrs now & have used the heck out of it. It still works perfectly fine. If it ever dies on me, I'll buy another one if it still available then.

Cheap butane often clogs up butane tools. I only use Master Appliance butane now. They also make butane tools.

Not sure if the pic on Amazon is accurate. Mine has tip holders on both ends of the case & came with 6 tips. But mine is Blue Point branded that I got off the truck.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WOHSHM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Luciferi]

I have used many master appliance in the past. They work excellent when new, but wear out quickly. I would get 6 months out of a tip and about a year before the spark starter fails.

Frustrated with continually rebuying, I tried a cheaper Solderit brand. It solders well but doesn’t start as easy. It also has a stupid replaceable tank that leaks.

I have borrowed portosol/snap on ones and didn’t care for them.

Like stated above, only use master appliance butane. Anything else will ruin the soldering iron. Unfortunately it was impossible to find outside of Snap on truck with the inflated pricing. Even online used to be difficult to get, not sure about now though. Getting butane was last nail in the coffin for me to switch plug in Hakko.

I have had two hakkos in about 5 years. First one didn’t survive being thrown across the room. No worrying about if you have enough butane, no 10 minutes trying to get it started, no worrying about leaving on for 5 minutes. No broken tips on butane can rendering a new $12 can to the trash.

I did get a Milwaukee cordless for times I absolutely have to go cordless. It is nowhere as good as a butane. It stays on the truck, Hakko in my cart.

 

[darkzero]

Like stated above, only use master appliance butane. Anything else will ruin the soldering iron. Unfortunately it was impossible to find outside of Snap on truck with the inflated pricing. Even online used to be difficult to get, not sure about now though. Getting butane was last nail in the coffin for me to switch plug in Hakko.

Same here. I used buy master appliance butane from my local Frys. They stopped selling & it was hard to find them online (for a reasonable price). I finally found a vendor that was selling the big cans for $4, many places were selling the small cans for more than that. I ordered like 10 cans over 10 yrs ago & I still have a few cans left. I believe Grainger/Zoro sells them now.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Another vote for Portasol

Portasol vote here.

Portasol is repackaged and sold under many brand names.

 

[zarbat007]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

 

[zarbat007]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone.

I have used many master appliance in the past. They work excellent when new, but wear out quickly. I would get 6 months out of a tip and about a year before the spark starter fails.

Frustrated with continually rebuying, I tried a cheaper Solderit brand. It solders well but doesn’t start as easy. It also has a stupid replaceable tank that leaks.

I have borrowed portosol/snap on ones and didn’t care for them.

Like stated above, only use master appliance butane. Anything else will ruin the soldering iron. Unfortunately it was impossible to find outside of Snap on truck with the inflated pricing. Even online used to be difficult to get, not sure about now though. Getting butane was last nail in the coffin for me to switch plug in Hakko.

I have had two hakkos in about 5 years. First one didn’t survive being thrown across the room. No worrying about if you have enough butane, no 10 minutes trying to get it started, no worrying about leaving on for 5 minutes. No broken tips on butane can rendering a new $12 can to the trash.

I did get a Milwaukee cordless for times I absolutely have to go cordless. It is nowhere as good as a butane. It stays on the truck, Hakko in my cart.

I looked up Master Appliance. Is this what you are referring to? Your Hakko solder iron is it corded or a soldering station?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000FN6SOO/?tag=atomicindus04-20

If you are just soldering wires in vehicles that are smaller than 16 AWG, consider a battery operated one. The have come a long way !

The trick to soldering broken wires is to tin both wire before trying to solder them together. You also need a device to hold the wire in position while soldering (2 alligator clips joined by a piece of 12 AWG solid copper wire).

Like Milwaukee? I haven't seen one up close but they look rather big.

 

[seber]

The trick to soldering broken wires is to tin both wire before trying to solder them together. You also need a device to hold the wire in position while soldering (2 alligator clips joined by a piece of 12 AWG solid copper wire).

I never depend on solder alone to hold a joint together. tin/lead is really soft and just a light tug will break the joint. I always twist the wires together before soldering. If not enough wire then **** splice.

 

[PeteW]

This kit any day of the week:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WOHSHM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I used to carry 2 with me on every job site. One that permanently had a soldering tip and the other had the hot air tip for heat shrink. The electronic ignition is great and FAR better than the Portasol in the original post.

Both of mine have been in service for about 8 years and still function like new.

 

[scooterbum46]

Just to throw it out here - Bernzomatic ST500 kit at Home Despot is $29.00 and a can of their brand butane is $4.00. I've carried one for a couple of years and it's worked when I needed it..

 

[Luciferi]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone.



I looked up Master Appliance. Is this what you are referring to? Your Hakko solder iron is it corded or a soldering station?

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000FN6SOO/?tag=atomicindus04-20




Like Milwaukee? I haven't seen one up close but they look rather big.

Yes, that is the model Master Appliance I use.

I use a corded Hakko iron not a station.
https://hakkousa.com/fx-601-soldering-iron.html

The Milwaukee is rather large and sometimes rather awkward to use. Especially if you have old shaky hands like me. It does pivot to 45 and 90 degrees. I find it easier to use At 90 degrees if there is room.

 

[neophyte]

I have one of the larger Japanese made Master Appliance butane soldering irons.
I can’t say about long term durability, since I haven’t owned it long enough.
I did run it mostly continuously thru two tank refills, for hours, and had no issues with it.
The Master Appliance butane Irons are made by a Japanese manufacturer that mostly only makes butane soldering irons, torches, and glue guns, and does so as an OEM for several or more brands. The US brands in include Master Appliance(probably the best US source with the widest range of models) and Weller(only a couple models, with other models from other OEMs). Other foreign OEMs, include Kotelyzer, Engineer(Japanese tool brand).
The OEM seems to be Nakajima Doko.

https://www.nakajimadoko.co.jp/

If the Piezo stops working, someone on youtube did a video showing how to get it working again, and how to adjust the gas flow.
The same manufacturer makes most of their irons in both Piezo and non automatic versions, so if you’re worried about the Piezo going bad, you can purchase the non piezo and just use a lighter to light it.
The piezo version are a different design and may be problematic to ignite without the piezo.

 

[MFortie]

Timely post!

While I've hacked at trying to solder in the past with a corded iron (used to think the idea was to melt the solder all over the iron instead of heating the joint), I'm working on replacing my '67 Chevelle's wiring harness and plan to crimp & solder some of the connectors.

I see when I look at the Amazon page for either the Weller or the Portasol different wire gauges, tip tinner, tip cleaner, paste flux, etc.

What size wire for say, 12AWG - 18AWG? And what about the other stuff?

Any reading material to help me understand better how to solder?

TIA

 

[Formula]

I’ve owned all the brands you mentioned and like the portasol best. My soldering irons get used a lot, several times a week. The portasol holds up for about 3 or 4 years before it wears out and I have to replace it.

Not a fan of the power probe iron at all. Would not buy it again.

 

[mikester]

I use a Master Ultratorch UT-200Si. It works well. Wish it would get hotter for heavier stuff but it does what I need it to do.