Gas powered soldering irons, which one is your preference? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 12:12:36 pm
content: So if you were considering buying a gas powered iron for portable use, hot air for heatshrink etc. which one would you choose?I've seen Weller (my preference but ouch expensive), Portasol, Iroda and all sorts of others I've never heard of, bear in mind it won't be a daily drive and will be a 'get me out of the crap' tool which will be multipurpose, I'd prefer budget but I also want something that works for me (I know, subjective) so opinions are more important and I can stretch the budget if there's a compelling case for one particular iron

author: emece67
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 12:47:00 pm
content: .

author: SLJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 12:52:27 pm
content: I've used this Weller P2KC for a few years. Heats up fast. See it under a few other brand names also.Got one for my motorhome also. Works well when you don't have AC to power it and don't have to worry about shorting something out when working on the battery/DC circuit.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 12:57:52 pm
content: Quote from: SLJ on November 01, 2018, 12:52:27 pmThat one is the only one I've found that's any good - even the expensive Weller Pyropens have let me down through getting blocked.However I wouldn't reccommend a gas iron - they are terrible for soldering and underpowered for heatshrink. use a hot air gun for heatstrink and TS80/100 for mobile use

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 01:11:46 pm
content: This is the one that I'm using since many years:Rugged design, but the internal catalyst of the tips is burned out on the most used one, and the piezo ignitor's internal isolation starts to fail after abusing this thing as a small blowtorch too often.

author: emece67
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 01:59:13 pm
content: .

author: donkey77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2018, 07:13:01 am
content: I've used the Portasol version of that Weller for a few years now for sure work and it's been great. Tips are reasonably priced and last well, I only bought a couple to add different sizes. The blowtorch function has helped shift a couple of locktighted bolts and the hot air works well for heatshrink. I did drop it and the on/off plastic button broke off but it's still usable. It heats up quickly and is easier to control the heat compared to the higher power SP-1K version which I always found too hot even on minimum. I did have to reseat the catalyst in the hot air tip as well as it wouldn't ignite. Don't get one with a separate sparker/flint. It will wear out and be a pain to light. I got mine here:https://www.rapidonline.com/portasol-011289260-pp-1k-propiezo-75-gas-soldering-iron-kit-54-3013

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2018, 07:22:08 am
content: When I was a full time tech I wore out a portasol, it was awesome.Since moving from full time tech to hack I've gone to an iroda (at a fraction of the price). It has done everything I've ever asked of it, so I have no reason to complain. The price was right too. I supplement it with a little separate "hot air" unit for heatshrink so I can solder and heatshrink without changing tips, but the iroda hot air works well too.My preference however would be a portasol. I just never had an issue with it in a *lot* of use in the middle of nowhere. It also does a pretty good job of plastic welding in a pinch.

author: kevinf
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2018, 09:05:56 am
content: All those irons are made in the same factory here in Ireland. I purchased mine straight from the them using the details below. When mine failed out of warranty they sent me out a brand new replacement. Great company to deal with !Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2018, 10:07:32 am
content: I wouldn’t use a gas one now. I had a faulty portasol explode on me once causing minor burns to my hand.For portable stuff now I use a Quicko T12 with a shitty £1.50 12->24v boost converter in the box and an SLA battery. Details here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/cheap-t12-clone-soldering-stations/msg1839191/#msg1839191Sure it’s bigger but it’s a proper iron!

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 12:46:24 am
content: I had the larger Weller Pyropen for many years and my only complaint was that the clear plastic body which allows checking the fuel level is fragile so the iron needs to be kept in its own rigid container. If you remove the tip and reattach the screw on stainless steel housing, it becomes an instant pencil torch. The same butane iron is available through Master Appliance at a lower cost.https://www.amazon.com/WPA2-Professional-Self-Igniting-Cordless-Soldering/dp/B000ICEMYUhttps://www.amazon.com/Master-Appliance-Ultratorch-UT-100SiK-Soldering/dp/B000FN6SOO