Gas soldering iron?

[Protium]

How do you fill them properly? I've got this Bernzomatic iron and following their filling instructions I get liquid butane everywhere and only about 5 minutes soldering time?

[deksawyer]

Me too!!

[Muppet]

Short sharp pumps are the key to filling properly rather than a long pump and always hold the butane upside down. I get much longer than 5 mins soldering time.

[markytbass]

I have a gas soldering iron and have never had any probs filling it. I can't remember what make it is but I use the little tin of gas that came with it. I remember having a clipper lighter in the days when I used to smoke. It was always a bit hit and miss filling it. I can't find the iron at th mo so can't tell you the make, but it fills the same as a clipper

[Protium]

[quote name='Muppet' post='287396' date='Sep 19 2008, 03:58 PM']Short sharp pumps are the key to filling properly rather than a long pump and always hold the butane upside down. I get much longer than 5 mins soldering time.[/quote]

Will try this. They say to have the butane upside down and 10 seconds should fill the iron for about 80 minutes soldering time...

[thepurpleblob]

I've tried a few - some very expensive - and they've all been rubbish or broken quickly. Ones that plug into the mains are the answer. Get an extension lead

[Mr. Foxen]

I like my gas one, cheap from Lidl, trick is not to turn it up very far, cause it gets far too hot and burns out the tip.

[The Burpster]

There should be a load of different types of nozzles in the cap of the aerosol can of butane. Try a few to get the best fit, hold it upside down, one long press unitl it feeel like its spurting out and stop.


I find it hard to use and electric one now. Been using gas for 10yrs.

[andyonbass]

Would you say these would be easier to use than an electric type? I'm going to have a bash at some soldering, soon, and not really had any experience, so I was wondering which would be the better one to buy.

[The Burpster]

Andy


I love mine , I have one of these.....

[url="http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=&item_ID=68224&group_ID=12178&store=uk&dir=catalog"]http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P6...amp;dir=catalog[/url]

It was F+++ing dear but is still 100% after 10 years.... Its HIGHLY portable relaible HUGE heat range and verastile.

There are cheaper versions of the similar thing avaialable by other makers that will do a similar job without teh Snap-On relialbility so do some shopping.

Electric are very cheap (in thier favour) but they are tied to a mains socket, normally one wattage (unless more expensive) and changing tips is time consuming and v.difficult when hot....

[andyonbass]

That looks the biz! Bit out of my price range, though. I could pay someone £30 or so to do my wiring job, but for the same amount, I could get an iron and try and learn how to do it myself

[The Burpster]

Heres a few cheaper offerings.....

[url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=35516&doy=20m9&C=SO&U=strat15"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...O&U=strat15[/url]

[url="http://www.buckandryan.co.uk/product.php/site/froogle/sn/DREVERSATIP"]http://www.buckandryan.co.uk/product.php/s.../sn/DREVERSATIP[/url]

[url="http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FXGAS.html?utm_source=froogle"]http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/FXGAS..._source=froogle[/url]

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Butane-Powered-Soldering-Iron/dp/B000ELJ0E2"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Butane-Powe...n/dp/B000ELJ0E2[/url]

[url="http://www.brewstersbatteries.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_27_31&products_id=37"]http://www.brewstersbatteries.co.uk/catalo...;products_id=37[/url]


The bottom one is almost a snap on but 1/2 price..... might be worth a punt.....

Enjoy shopping....

(caveat emptor--- you get what you pay for!)

[The Burpster]

Heres a huge bargain...... (its the less powerful version but its a steal at this price......)

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUE-POINT-SNAPON-CORDLESS-BUTANE-SOLDERING-IRON-KIT_W0QQitemZ380064471478QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item380064471478&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BLUE-POINT-SNAPON-CO...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url]