Cordless soldering irons, Cold Heat

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URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=80295
Printed Date: April 26, 2024 at 12:05 AM

Topic: Cordless soldering irons, Cold Heat

Posted By: mmh1
Subject: Cordless soldering irons, Cold Heat
Date Posted: July 14, 2006 at 1:18 PM

Hi,

I just had someone run over my Iroda Solderpro50 butane gas soldering iron that I had left to cool next to my car on the drive for a few minutes. Now it's leaking gas from the storage chamber so it's broken now.

Just wondering has anyone used those 'Cold Heat' soldering irons?

I'm in the market for a safer cordless soldering iron that cools a bit quicker so thought of one of these. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Thanks.

Replies:

Posted By: swamprat323
Date Posted: July 14, 2006 at 1:36 PM

i heard they suck do a search on here you find soem topics

Posted By: mmh1
Date Posted: July 14, 2006 at 1:53 PM

swamprat323 wrote:

i heard they suck do a search on here you find soem topics

Just did a search looks like most concur with you.

Can anyone suggest any rechargeble electric type cordless iron. Here in the UK I can really only see gas butane ones and an Antex battery powered one.

Thanks

Posted By: Flakman
Date Posted: July 14, 2006 at 6:16 PM

Cold Heat = Hot Crap! I couldn't even get a BAD solder joint using the Cold Heat. All I was doing was soldering a harness to the leands on the HU. I use the case to hold loose screws when I'm working on something. Don't know where the iron is...don't care. I would probably end up throwing it and breaking something I value.

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The Flakman
I feel strange. I have deja vu and amnesia at the same time.

John | Manteca, CA

Posted By: auex
Date Posted: July 15, 2006 at 12:34 PM

They suck /thread.

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Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: July 15, 2006 at 10:45 PM

I've been really happy with mine... Maybe you guys just don't know how to use 'em... posted_image

Works fine in tight spaces, anything up to around 18 gauge will solder fine, and has proven invaluable in my toolbox for building active crossover modules and such - right on the fly! The trick is this for wires: Put the tip ACROSS the wires you are soldering, NOT WITH the wires you are soldering. The soldering iron should make a "T" with the wires. This guarantees the SHORTEST possible piece of conductor between the terminals of the tip, providing the HIGHEST possible current, and the fastest heat.

No, really. If the batteries are strong, and you keep the tip from banging on anything, they seem to do a decent job on smaller wires, AND have proven pretty reliable for my needs. Besides, mine was free, so I REALLY can't complain, even if I wanted to.

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Posted By: rbodine
Date Posted: July 26, 2006 at 12:18 PM

I have used Ultratorch cordless Butane soldering irons. They have a cool to touch cap. They come in various sizes and many tips too. Very reliable soldering iron I have been using for years.

Posted By: Melted Fabric
Date Posted: July 26, 2006 at 4:12 PM

haemphyst wrote:

I've been really happy with mine... Maybe you guys just don't know how to use 'em... Works fine in tight spaces, anything up to around 18 gauge will solder fine, and has proven invaluable in my toolbox for building active crossover modules and such - right on the fly! The trick is this for wires: Put the tip ACROSS the wires you are soldering, NOT WITH the wires you are soldering. The soldering iron should make a "T" with the wires. This guarantees the SHORTEST possible piece of conductor between the terminals of the tip, providing the HIGHEST possible current, and the fastest heat.

No, really. If the batteries are strong, and you keep the tip from banging on anything, they seem to do a decent job on smaller wires, AND have proven pretty reliable for my needs. Besides, mine was free, so I REALLY can't complain, even if I wanted to.

Finally, something good about it posted_image

If it is only $20 at Home Depot, I am going to give it a try.

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Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: July 27, 2006 at 1:00 AM

I've tried using mine on some 20ga wire and couldn't heat the wire thoroughly enough for a good solder joint. I could melt the solder around the outside of the wire, but didn't have the patience to make a solid joint with it. It is now sitting in the corner of my basement covered with sawdust.

Save the hassle and pick up an ECG J-700KT from www.PartsExpress.com

Its about $70 but by far the best soldering iron I think I own (can't really compare it to my bench top Pace as I use them for completely differnt things). Ever since using the ECG I've forgotten about my Cold Heat and haven't gotten my beloved soldering gun out of my tool box.

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Kevin Pierson

Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: August 06, 2006 at 12:12 AM

I got a piece of solder stuck in between the prongs on mine the first day I had it, and it fried it. I don't recomend them to anyone.