Looking for a good portable butane soldering iron

[oleblue]

I do quite a bit of wiring and such on boats and cars mostly 14-18 gauge wire. I've been looking for a good soldering iron for a while. I like the butane powered ones since they are small and I see some of them double as a heat gun for heat shrink which is handy. Which one's are you guys using? Here is a couple of ones I was looking at.

http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt1/page_27566/portasol_sp_1k_soldering_iron_kit.html

http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt...e_pp_ppsk_mini_butane_soldering_iron_hot.html

 

[warmpancakes]

I have that exact model (top one)but labeled blue point, carry a spare can of butane with you its fuel hungry

 

[route246]

I have two Portasol irons and they are my primary soldering iron of choice. It's like cordless drill drivers. Easy to use, good for small jobs and very fast heat up. The only problem I have is the cheap butane cans used for cooking need a special adapter (very thin tip), or you can just buy the expensive small cans which have the thin tip.

I think you can get a better price on amazon, but not sure.

 

[oleblue]

Yeah I found both cheaper on Amazon, but Denlors tools site is easier to browse when looking at different ones.

 

[route246]

Basically, I think you will be very pleased with whatever model you get. The only time they are challenging is outside in high wind. You need to shield it from that because the flame is actually glowing inside like a glow plug once it gets up to temperature. Otherwise, they are brilliant in design and work like a champ. I think I've been using these types of irons for over 30 years. Very sound design.

Yeah I found both cheaper on Amazon, but Denlors tools site is easier to browse when looking at different ones.

 

[scott37300]

I have had a portasol for about 5 years now and use it for almost everything. It's just nice to be able to move it around without cords. I also have a plug in soldering iron and gun and they never get used anymore. If the weller portasol can't handle it the hakko soldering station will take care of it.

 

[Slow Gray Mule]

I have the Benz-O-Matic kit sold at Lowes. It sells for around $20. It has done a great job for me. Has several interchangable (when cold, of course) tips, too.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_246066-717-...urrentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntt=bonzomatic&facetInfo=

 

[toms73novass]

Yeah, I have the equivalent of the first one you posted, works real well.

Here is a place that is cheaper.

http://www.elexp.com/sdr_i100.htm

 

[toolfanatic]

I have an older Portasol, (which are made only 22 miles from where I live in Ireland!) and they are an excellent tool.

 

[Skyline]

I have the Powerprobe...works great. I also have one I got at Radioshack that is a pocket version. It works pretty well too, is quite a bit cheaper, ($29?) but does not come with all the accessories (just a soldering tip and a blow torch tip). The Radioshack item is red plastic, with a clear resevoir.

 

[Lotek]

I have used both, I own the Powerprobe unit, both good, the heatshrink takes a while, but for the sixe of the unit, not bad.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

they don't get hot enough

 

[diesel research]

Open flame for me with heatshrink. Take the solder/heatgun tips and use the blow torch flame.

 

[scott37300]

they don't get hot enough

What are you soldering? There are very few things I haven't been able to get hot enough. One of them being battery cell tabs when rebuilding my cordless tool batteries. Other than that they are plenty hot enough for almost any soldering in the garage.

 

[route246]

Are you at high altitude? I have never had this problem. Also, what sort of butane are you using? You can't use this for large scale applications. It's mostly for delicate electronic wiring.

they don't get hot enough

 

[copterdoctor]

I've had a few blue point butane irons... they last for about a year, then **** out... I'm on #3... it's a "i have to have one for the field" type of tool for me... other wise I use my electric weller when I'm in the hangar..

 

[DHCrocks]

they don't get hot enough

I have a portasol and like it a lot it's so convenient. For the most part it gets plenty hot and will easily melt the solder, but I have noticed that if I'm outdoors and theres a light breeze then yes it does not get hot enough. It's kinda strange because if I use my electric iron it gets hot but not the butane one.

 

[oleblue]

I see that the portasol is 25-125 watts, anyone know what the power probe wattage is? I think I've decided on the portasol iron.