[TowerTalk] Soldering on the Tower

[Patrick Greenlee]

What you are describing is a catalytic heater not unlike the lighter 
fluid fueled pocket warmers.  No actual flame just fuel oxidizing and 
releasing heat at the site of the catalyst (platinum or...)  I have a 
very small butane powered one of these suitable for "micro" soldering on 
circuit boards but useless for big jobs like a PL-259 in a winter wind.

Patrick   NJ5G

On 7/29/2015 10:14 AM, Chuck Dietz wrote:
> I have been a ham well over 50 years and have soldered on the towers many,
> many times.  Electric guns require long extension cords and are difficult
> to get up the tower and use.  Butane torches tend to blow out or, if they
> don't blow out they melt adjacent wiring.
>
> I have finally found an amazing solution.  The Master Appliance butane
> soldering torch is a different breed.  While you light it at first with its
> push button igniter like an ordinary torch, after that the technology is
> different.  The flame heats a special metal that reacts with butane when it
> is hot.  You then extinguish the flame and control the temperature with the
> amount of butane flowing.  The soldering tip gets quite hot and there is no
> flame to blow out!  There is also a heat shrink attachment.  If you have to
> go solder on a tower buy one of these, you will be glad you did!
>
> I got mine at a Grainger outlet for about $65.
>
> http://www.grainger.com/product/MASTER-APPLIANCE-Microtorch-1YMK6?s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/1YMK6_AS01?$smthumb$
>
> Chuck W5PR
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