[TowerTalk] Propane Soldering Irons ??

[Dick Green WC1M]

The Master Appliance looks almost identical to the Solder-It. I've had none
of the problems with my Solder-It that Rick describes. Been using it for
many years, but almost exclusively with a soldering tip (I've used the
heater attachment for heat shrink tubing, but can't recall using the torch.)
I fill the torch before each outdoor use. I set the gas adjustment to the
middle position and click the igniter. Once it catches, I adjust the gas to
the desired level (almost always the max for soldering connectors and heavy
antenna wire.) Works every time. It's quite effective outdoors, except when
a cold wind blows directly on the iron. YMMV.

73, Dick WC1M

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Karlquist [mailto:richard at karlquist.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 11:40 PM
To: k3mm at verizon.net
Cc: k2qmf at juno.com; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Propane Soldering Irons ??

k3mm at verizon.net wrote:
> This is the one I use on the tower. This is the only one I've used 
> that's up to the job for PL259 shields and antenna wires on the tower. 
> Their smaller ones are fine for light duty jobs.
>
>
>  http://masterappliance.com/jumself.html
>

Soldering irons, this one included, run on butane, not propane.

As K3MM says, this is the one for the big jobs.  Lots of power.
I have worn out several of these.  It is difficult and expensive to get
spare parts, so I ended up buying a new one eventually instead of trying to
keep an old one going.  The catalyst wears out, or the igniter wears out, or
the microtube clogs.  It is somewhat tricky to ignite them; you have to
adjust the butane properly, and it varies with how much butane is in the
tank.  When ignited, it glows, but it is hard to see the glow in sunlight.
(I made over
5,000 solder connections with these irons).  They are not perfect, but I
haven't found anything to replace them.  They are not cheap, figure on over
$100.

Rick N6RK