Need help in choosing a quality solder iron (Butane)

[Spy021]

Originally posted in the Misc forum, but deleted and moved here because I did not receive any replies.

I am looking to purchase a gas-powered solder iron to do work on my mini R/C's, along with other small electronics (i.e. wiring car stereos, blinkers, heat-shrink, etc.). I'm not too familiar with what features there are, or what I would need to look for.

If anyone has some solid knowledge in this area, I would be greatful if they could share their wisdom.

Also are their any particular brands that I should consider or avoid?

Thanks in advance!

[streetrage]

look for one with magnet controlled heat

my electronics teacher says that it saves your iron for years to come

[bill]

Originally posted by streetrage
look for one with magnet controlled heat

my electronics teacher says that it saves your iron for years to come

The one I had must not have had that feature. It fell apart after a couple of months.

I use electric ones now so, sorry, I can't help. I was not impressed with the gas one I got and it turned me off of them forever. I can't remember who made it or the specifications as it was many years ago.

[Spy021]

Hmm..

I had intended to go with the butane ones, as I thought they would be a bit easy to manage (no cords). However, I am not totally opposed to an electric one. However, I still am not 100% sure on what features I would need to look out for and which are quality brand?

[bill]

It really depends on what you plan to do with the soldering iron. Technically, small electronics circuts should be 15 - 20 watts. Wiring your car stereo, 30 watts is just sufficient with a 40 watts or greater iron being better. They sell variable wattage irons but i've never used them.

My iron is a 30 watt pistol grip iron that you can get at radio shack for about 7.00 bucks. Click me to see.

I use this iron for everything. My Bit Char-G mods, my car stereo wiring, my home stereo wiring, computer releated modding, etc. It's a little lacking when soldering thick 8 gauge of bigger wire but for the money, i'm not complaining (too much). You can also get different tips for different jobs but I generally stay with the supplied tip. It's good enough for most of my needs.

[hogjowlz]

my friend is an engineer and repairs/builds stuff 6 days a week. he uses one of these.




the auction for it on ebay is here

[rockfshr]

here is a pic of the iron i use, works great because temp is adjustable. I also have a wahl cordless that i dont use anymore it has one extra tip with it and a nice small tip on it, the extra is a little big. im charging it now to make sure it still works but if your interested make me an offer and use pay-pal and ill let it go.

P.S I do have a butane iron from radio shack that ive had about 12 years now and it still works great.

[rockfshr]

here is the wahl cordless.

[hogjowlz]

hmm that cordless might be useful. the only thing i see missing from your setup is a sponge. that is a must for wiping off excess solder and keepin the tip smooth.

[rockfshr]

I do use a sponge it was off to the side in the pic. keeping the tip clean and tinned is a must.

[mjb]

Originally posted by Spy021

Also are their any particular brands that I should consider or avoid?

Thanks in advance!

I've had a lot of good use out of an Oryx Portasol Professional -- it was a reasonable priced set (around 30UKP) with the iron, a few attachments (hot knife, hot air blower, mini blowtorch and soldering iron bit). The gas flow is variable, allowing you to loosely control temperature. It has a flint igniter (replaced with standard Ronson flints).

The bits are cheap to replace, but the "3rd party" spares can be a bit nasty: I got much more service out of the original bit than the Brand-X replacement. 1.0mm bit is the smallest I know of for these, which is just about ok for surface mount.

[hogjowlz]

smt is real fun by hand.