Soldering torch recommendations?

[FigureItOut]

It's well past time to upgrade my little Weller soldering torch. I work with 8-18 AWG installing aftermarket accessories and frequently work outdoors without access to 110v.
I'm considering the Power Probe model http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001D...ring+torch&dpPl=1&dpID=51WlqOZ25yL&ref=plSrch
I may be interested in a battery powered model if there's one that's effective. Main considerations are fast heating, safety, reliability and budget under $100.
Anyone do a lot of electrical and have good experiences with one? Thank you.

 

[K-Dog]

I have that exact one.

I am quite pleased with it. I have never used it for anything outside of automotive, either soldering or heat shrinking. Works great for those applications.

My only complaint, is a pretty silly one is the tip storage. If you remove the tip that is on there ( hidden by the cap in the photo ) there is no convenient slot to store it. I just toss it in the sponge compartment.

 

[trxrx7]

i have had pretty much all the good ones that are available (im the remote starter guy at work so i use mine daily) that power probe is huge its a foot long, often hard to get under dashes. i would highly recommend the blue point yaks300. by far the best one i have owned and it only costs $55

 

[K-Dog]

i have had pretty much all the good ones that are available (im the remote starter guy at work so i use mine daily) that power probe is huge its a foot long, often hard to get under dashes. i would highly recommend the blue point yaks300. by far the best one i have owned and it only costs $55

Nooooo, I dont think its that big. ( am I really having this conversation on GJ ? Yikes )

I think its closer to seven or eight inches. I can measure tomorrow.

 

[burke753]

It's well past time to upgrade my little Weller soldering torch. I work with 8-18 AWG installing aftermarket accessories and frequently work outdoors without access to 110v.
I'm considering the Power Probe model http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001D...ring+torch&dpPl=1&dpID=51WlqOZ25yL&ref=plSrch
I may be interested in a battery powered model if there's one that's effective. Main considerations are fast heating, safety, reliability and budget under $100.
Anyone do a lot of electrical and have good experiences with one? Thank you.

That's a good deal. I use that model all the time. I actually just purchased a new one. I thought I got a good deal. It's on sale in the current Matco flyer for $65 normally on a tool truck it's about $110.

Amazon obviously has the deal right now. Though.


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[FigureItOut]

i have had pretty much all the good ones that are available (im the remote starter guy at work so i use mine daily) that power probe is huge its a foot long, often hard to get under dashes. i would highly recommend the blue point yaks300. by far the best one i have owned and it only costs $55

Have you used the PP also? Other than size, how would you compare the two? I'm very interested to hear your thoughts, as winter coming means remote starts will be a big part of my work day in the coming months.

 

[trxrx7]

Yes i bought one from the truck and then returned it, performance i'd say they are very similar and they both work great for what I do (I work with 10 and up awg) the main problem for me was the size and getting behind junction boxes and brake switches etc. Also I like how the bluepoint body is square, so if you put it down for a sec I know it's not rolling away and damaging other wires or panels. The bluepoint has a flint to start it, a little old school which might bother you (I couldn't care less). snap on yaks32a is great but I didn't think it was worth the extra 150 bucks. I was looking into battery powered ones too, but couldn't do it. If someone has used one let me know how you like it. Just to keep in mind that plug in soldering irons (gun style) usally have less heat loss so it's easier to solder thicker wires, on the other hand butane heats up and cools down quick. Also what you need to consider is when you use yours often, you go through a lot of butane gas which could be a lot of $ (if employer does not supply). I can't say anything about working outside since I only work in the shop, but I'm sure colder weather will effect the performance a lot. If you have a dealer ask if you can use one for a week and see how you like it.

 

[FigureItOut]

Yes i bought one from the truck and then returned it, performance i'd say they are very similar and they both work great for what I do (I work with 10 and up awg) the main problem for me was the size and getting behind junction boxes and brake switches etc. Also I like how the bluepoint body is square, so if you put it down for a sec I know it's not rolling away and damaging other wires or panels. The bluepoint has a flint to start it, a little old school which might bother you (I couldn't care less). snap on yaks32a is great but I didn't think it was worth the extra 150 bucks. I was looking into battery powered ones too, but couldn't do it. If someone has used one let me know how you like it. Just to keep in mind that plug in soldering irons (gun style) usally have less heat loss so it's easier to solder thicker wires, on the other hand butane heats up and cools down quick. Also what you need to consider is when you use yours often, you go through a lot of butane gas which could be a lot of $ (if employer does not supply). I can't say anything about working outside since I only work in the shop, but I'm sure colder weather will effect the performance a lot. If you have a dealer ask if you can use one for a week and see how you like it.

I think you're saying these torches use a lot of butane, not that the YAKS300 in particular is a hog, is that right? Sure wish I did have a dealer and could ask to try one, I'm self employed and mostly work mobile. I work out of a lot of different shops but never seem to be there when the tool truck comes by and haven't forged a relationship.

Anyway I'm leaning towards the Blue Point but I don't think I'd be a fan of the flint igniter, maybe it would be okay if it's the best choice in other respects. At least the price is actually under budget.

 

[scissorman]

I have this kit https://store.snapon.com/Butane-Sol...-Soldering-Iron-25-to-125-Watts--P647908.aspx and love it.

 

[Olafur]

Search Amazon for "Portasol". They make the torch Snap on is selling.
Mine is 17 years old and still working like the day I bought it.
Looks very similar to this one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H6NN2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FigureItOut]

Search Amazon for "Portasol". They make the torch Snap on is selling.
Mine is 17 years old and still working like the day I bought it.
Looks very similar to this one.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H6NN2Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I was hoping I could find the OEM on that. Looks like that is the YAKS32A.
How would/do you feel working under-dash with it? SnapOn doesn't show the measurements but Amazon shows that at 8.5" and the PP at 10.5".
I wonder how long the Blue Point is?

 

[FigureItOut]

snap on yaks32a is great but I didn't think it was worth the extra 150 bucks.

Worth another $30?

 

[Olafur]

I was hoping I could find the OEM on that. Looks like that is the YAKS32A.
How would/do you feel working under-dash with it? SnapOn doesn't show the measurements but Amazon shows that at 8.5" and the PP at 10.5".
I wonder how long the Blue Point is?

I don't do much work under dash or in tight areas - for that I would prefer something smaller. I measured mine and it's just under 9" long from tip to the back - and the main tool is 1" in diameter.
*edit* It would be close to 8" long with smaller tip**

Here is a thread about soldering irons, perhaps something useful;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270150&highlight=portasol

 

[inpourquadri]

They make the torch Snap on is selling.

 

[FigureItOut]

I don't do much work under dash or in tight areas - for that I would prefer something smaller. I measured mine and it's just under 9" long from tip to the back - and the main tool is 1" in diameter.
*edit* It would be close to 8" long with smaller tip**

Here is a thread about soldering irons, perhaps something useful;
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=270150&highlight=portasol

Thanks. I tried a search but didn't return that thread despite its title being essentially the same as mine. Glad I posted anyway as that threads respondes weren't quite as pointed to my needs as this.
Looks like Portasol is the OEM on the Blue Point as well. I have it narrowed down to the 125 and the 75, more heat and electric ignition on both. I emailed asking for exact lengths of each, if I hear back I'll go with the 75 if it's significantly shorter.
Thanks all for the help.

 

[Olafur]

The portasol 125 is quite popular and well respected. You can take the tip off and use it as torch. That way I have soldered terminals to battery leads for diesel engines. It's as powerful as one could want for automotive work - perhaps not enough to fix old copper radiators bu...

But it's big and for I can't recommend it for electronics or tight spaces. Don't know the 75 version. There is also the 50W version, seems OK but mixed reviews on amazon. However it could be the size you are aiming for... or perhaps good sidekick to the 125?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003H6LRDS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[skruft]

What is it that you are soldering under the dash with these? (I know, wires, but in a little more detail.)

 

[trxrx7]

Worth another $30?

I'd say 30 bucks more are worth it, I did not know that portasol is making them for snap on, of course snap on doubles the price

 

[FigureItOut]

Had the Portasol 75 in my Amazon cart and I was trying to figure out what solder I wanted, was going to get a pound of it and some Vector 14x refined butane.
Then today poking around at the pawn shop came across this slightly different version of the same torch and got it for $5 out the door. This never happens to me. What's more common is that I'll buy a thing, and see it somewhere later, barely used, for 10% of the price.

 

[Olafur]

Nice find!

 

[K-Dog]

 

[FigureItOut]

Thanks. That's not quite as big as I'd thought, but it'd be a bit more awkward in tight spots than I what I ended up with.

 

[K-Dog]

^^^ I like your better.