Best butan soldering iron? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2016, 09:53:41 pm
content: Hey.I'm looking for a good little butane gas soldering iron for hobby/home projects.It should have:self ignition.Replaceble tips and available on market 😉Torch function.Max $50Any recommendations?

author: 4cx10000
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 12:37:32 am
content: Hi!I bought a Dremel butane soldering torch for about 5 years back and I am quiet satisfied. It has enough power to solder outdoors; use it mostly to solder rf connectors and some other quick fixes where there is not possible to bring a soldering stations. I can not say if they have more than one tip for soldering though. Prices at Amazon is $39.99

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 09:24:48 am
content: Since you're located in DK, i would recommend getting a Portasol - You can buy tips, etc. to them many places.

author: Fortran
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 10:11:12 am
content: +1 on Portasol.The one I used at my last job didn't have self ignite though. Only a sparkler in the cover.Quite easy to use, and good enough for most soldering jobs. Heck I even chipped a PS2 with it once.You'll never find a portable that's as good as a proper station, but I guess you know that already.Oh and watch out where you point the vent, or you will set stuff on fire.

author: baastrup
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2016, 08:01:43 pm
content: I ended up with the Dremel 2000-6 from amacon.fr for around 40€ inc shipping.Tips seems to be widely available:-)

author: ornea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2016, 04:54:45 am
content: Not gas, but bigclive gives one particular rechargeable iron a review and a thumbs up.

author: dimkasta
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2017, 10:42:28 pm
content: +1 for the versatip. I have it for a couple of years and it works very nicely.

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2017, 10:45:30 am
content: I have purchased several butane irons over the years, including a 'GasCat' from Maplins in the UK, and 'Portasol' and Iroda plus at least 2 other brands. All have suffered from the problem of losing all the gas over a few days. I have given up with them and reverted to my old faithful Radio Spares orange battery iron for 'off site' jobs. It is at least 37 years old and was originally NiCad powered but now LiIon.BT

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2017, 12:24:30 pm
content: Quote from: BurningTantalum on January 16, 2017, 10:45:30 amI had this problem with the iroda. I found I could hear it leaking from the fill valve if it listened closely, so now I fill it up and give the valve a poke to vent some gas. This allows it to seal properly and I've had no problems keeping a full iron over a year between uses (it lives in the toolbox in my car. Some years it sees a lot of use, some it sees none).The portasol I had during my apprenticeship ( back in the early 90s ) was awesome, but I wore it out. I bought the iroda in 2009, and it does the job. Moreso now I know how to stop it leaking.

author: BurningTantalum
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2017, 01:42:44 pm
content: Thanks for the info, BradC - I will dig them all out tomorrow and have another look although I think I threw the GasCat out years ago after Maplins would not replace it under warranty, but still have the Portasol and the Iroda (SolderPro50 from memory) The other two were no-name stubby cheapos from yard sales, one of which would erupt into flame from all joins and orifices at random moments.BT

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 08:02:54 am
content: Sorry to Necropost but I'm in the hunt for a new butane soldering iron and this seems to be the most recent thread on them.I've had no name cheapies in the past and my most recent was an Iroda Solderpro 70 which like most other peoples leaked at the fill valve, even after giving it a little push to reseat it so I am pretty much over Irodas too. I'm happy to spend a bit up to around AU$150 buts as I'm based in Aus my choices are probably limited, I think I'd also prefer something that can be filled from a butane refill cylinder rather than having to buy special cartridges.Any suggestions?

author: BU508A
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 08:17:06 am
content: I've bought years ago the WELLER Pyropen and I am really satisfied with it's performance.Here is a link:http://www.weller-toolsus.com/weller-wpa2-weller-pyropen-kit.htmlOk, it is not the cheapest one but if it will not brake in any way it will be my last one

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 08:24:33 am
content: W2aew did a review of one (member here) on YouTube a couple of weeks ago. On my phone so can't dig it out but find him on YouTube.

author: tkuhmone
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 01:15:26 pm
content: Quote from: BU508A on March 28, 2017, 08:17:06 amI do have also Pyropen, have been happy with itIt is ok with smaller heat shrink tubes, if I need a bigger shrink tube - then use a 230V AC hot air gun - or portable butane torch.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 02:18:09 pm
content: Quote from: RGB255_0_0 on March 28, 2017, 08:24:33 amIso-Tip SolderPro 90 Butane Soldering Iron

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 30, 2017, 07:27:39 am
content: Quote from: tkuhmone on March 28, 2017, 01:15:26 pmThe price of a Pyropen has been putting me off as most places they are >$200 AUS but I've just found a place online that has it for about $150 AUs which puts it in the ballpark.Doing some research I've worked out that they are actually made in Japan and the same as Engineer:http://www.engineer.jp/en/products/sk70e.htmlor Master appliancehttps://www.masterappliance.com/heat-tool-products/butane-powered/ultratorches/ultratorch-ut-100siBut the master appliance one now has torch function built in so maybe its off to Amazon to find someone who will ship to AusToo hard to chose

author: tkuhmone
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2017, 09:16:34 am
content: Quote from: noidea on March 30, 2017, 07:27:39 amInteresting information, did not know earlier that Pyropen would be made under diffrent brand(s). Only indication on my Pyropen Piezo, is a serial number sticker. It has text "made in Japan"

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2017, 12:22:23 pm
content: Quote from: BU508A on March 28, 2017, 08:17:06 amThey certainly work but on mine, the clear plastic butane reservoir which acts as a sight glass cracked. I recommend getting a hard case to protect it when not in use.The Weller Pyropen is sold under other brand names so I suspect they are just buying a branded version from an OEM; Ungar used to sell a version but in Ungar maroon instead of Weller blue.

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 01, 2017, 02:13:17 pm
content: Quote from: David Hess on April 01, 2017, 12:22:23 pmThanks for the advice, I've found a reasonable price on the master appliance version and been trying to decide on getting it with the metal case or just the cap that covers the hot end. Most of the time my old iron used to live in a small parts case with a solder sucker, crimpers and lugs and the original box got thrown out. I might see if I can get the cover separately.I wonder who really is the OEM of these?

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2017, 03:38:58 pm
content: Quote from: noidea on April 01, 2017, 02:13:17 pmWell like I said based on my previous experience, I think having a hard case for these is mandatory; they are just too fragile in storage or when transported otherwise.Master Appliance sounds familiar but I never concluded or really even looked for the original OEM.The old standard for cordless soldering irons wasISO-TIPand I have gotten good use out of a couple of them but they are not nearly as powerful as the butane irons.