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Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
this is the best iron i have ever had. it works great in all applications and also has a torch tip. the only bad thing i have come across on it in 3 years is the tip can burn itself up if you run it too hot.
I keep one of these in the truck all the time, I've gone through a few, but for the price I can live with it. Also I don't really take care of it, it gets bounced around. Works outdoors (once you get it fired up) good. I've used this outside in chicago winters to repair intercoms
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Fairfax, VA on 5/7/2008
Like one of the other reviewers, I'll be ordering my third one, but in 8 years. The price is [$]if it lasts 2 years, I got my money's worth; anything over that is great!I accidentally broke my first one, my current one leaks fuel (described below).The issues I've had are:Leaking fuel, the fuel will always leak out very slowly, because the fuel area isn't 100% air tight. This isn't a big deal and pretty much expected behavior. The BAD gas leak issue occurs where the black plastic starts to separate from the fuel area, this causes the gas to quickly leak out and may cause it to flare. If this happens, stop using it! My current torch has this issue, probably from improper storage and a bit of abuse.Worn out soldering tips, the area in the tip, which turns red is actually filled with fiberglass; after a year of moderate use, the fiberglass will wear out and you'll need to replace the tip... or replace the fiberglass. The tips are inexpensive and the fiberglass is actually easy to replace.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Beverly, MA. on 5/4/2008
I've had mine for over 2 years now and I'm just needing to get a new tip. Works great for hobbies and little boards for RC vehicles and other electronics.
from on a computer on 3/19/2008
i don't know what people are talking about when they say the butane leaks out. i have had this filled for a week and it is still as full as ever. just don't be stupid with it, it gets HOT.
from San Diego, Ca on 1/29/2008
I'm an aircraft electrician and this by far the best portable soldering iron I have.It's cheap and reliable.I bought my first one and abused it in Afganistan and survived.If you solder a lot I suggest you buy an extra tip.
from Chicago on 10/30/2007
Am buying my third in 5 years. For real work I prefer my desktop but when making repairs on the fly its great to not have to find be near an outlet and its small size makes it easy to schlep. On the otherr hand, I really wish the valves wouldn't leak after about the 10th refill. But... Its cheap!
Worse soldering tool, I have purchased in years. Leaks gas, doesn't heat up well, hard to star and top broke when staring up.
from Dubai, UAE on 9/6/2007
Works great eccept for the fact that the soldering tip melted off after only 2 weeks of use! Can I get replacements ?
Best thing I've ever used for soldering on co-ax connectors. Sorry I didn't discover this years ago! It makes the job go so much more quickly.
Works GREAT, up until earlier today. I accidentally dropped the (still hot) soldering tip into a bucket of water whilst trying to change tips. the bucket was right there because my friends and I were using some fireworks in the backyard earlier. Anybody else have this problem? I think I may just buy another one of these torches and keep it away from water. Now, the soldering tip does not ignite at all.
Mine leaks butane too, leaving it empty when I need it, leading to the low "reliability" score. It's hard to light; I end up holding my Bic under it for a moment until it gets going. But once it's lit, it's incredibly easy to use, well-balanced and ergonomic, the handle doesn't even heat up. The heat control adjusts much faster than an electric iron, and while it's no replacement for a professional temperature-controlled station, it's also nowhere near the price. Supremely handy despite the quirks.
Pretty cool iron! It works MUCH faster than the electric soldering iron. I feels cheap, but it still works very well. Very easy to use, without having a cord to pull you back. I hope to have this for a very long time.
It solders fine, but is cheaply made. Mine leaks butane slowly and the tank empties on its own within a few days.
works great
Replaced a $ 100.00 soldering iron with this and am very happy I did
The ignitor is simple, but fairly effective; uses a standard flint/steel that you can easily replace. The soldering iron tip can be a bit slow to heat up, but once it's hot, it's the most flexible iron I've ever owned (best out of 5). It can be as hot as you need it (hoter than any electric I've ever used), or you can lower the temp if you want it a little cooler (to work on something that's very close to plastic you want to avoid melting, for example). And the torch tip! That's just sweet. I got a second iron that I threw in with my camping gear, just for starting campfires. :-)
The torch works well but the striker breaks to easy it's cheap plastic it has a pocket holder like a pen would have but don't use it cause it will break. then there are 4 little tabs on the inside of the lid that break if you don't put it in straight then the lid won't stay on, so it is really easy to burn yourself or anything around you. the torch itself works great there are just alot of safety issues they could make better.
I love this torch and use it all the time, i keep the soldering tip off as it does not work too well the torck tip does however and it can be used for just about anything.....i mainly use this for soldering and its lasted me 1 year so far and still goin strong......at $20 this is a great little torch
This is a very handy tool. No cord to worry about. Appears to be well built. Great for working on car audio, and small jobs. Butane is cheap and readily available.
Very nice and reliable little tool. I use it at work and it is much better than lugging a standard soldering iron. Tips are a little more expensive than they should be, but for ease and convenience, this can't be beat.
The iron works very well but replacement solder tips are expensive.