PabloPicasso
Well-Known Member
I want to get a soldering iron for use aboard (ie, not mains powered). I see gas powered irons from £5 upwards. Any recommendations of which to get or avoid?
Soldering iron
- Thread starter PabloPicasso
- Start date
SAMYL
Well-Known Member
I have a 12v one which works well off the cigar lighter socket but it does cool in the wind so you need to keep it sheltered outside. Other than that it is fine.
sailorman
Well-Known Member
i have the same
davidwf
Well-Known Member
I have a Portasol technic gas powered one with an additional rope cutting bit.
Very rarely do I buy something that exceeds my expectations, this one does I have had it around 10 years now and its still going strong.
It isn't cheap but you get what you pay for http://www.portasol.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=33
Very rarely do I buy something that exceeds my expectations, this one does I have had it around 10 years now and its still going strong.
It isn't cheap but you get what you pay for http://www.portasol.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=33
Boo2
Well-Known Member
I bought the Dremel VersaTip off of Amazon, see eg here : http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dremel-Hobby-VersaTip-Heat-Tool/dp/B002LARRQW
I've found it excellent for light use on the boat and have used it for soldering and for shrinking heatshrink connectors etc. It comes with a hot knife tip which works OK for cutting ropes up to about 12mm thick, but it's not really big enough for eg mooring lines.
Boo2
Carmel2
Well-Known Member
+1 and happy.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I have an 18W, 12V Antex which I find works just as well as the mains version, though it is more of an "electronics" than "electrical" size. I see that they also do a 12V version of their 25W iron.
davidpbo
Well-Known Member
Irodo gas iron, the bigger one (100W) or so if you want to cut rope. I have that and a smaller (Irodo) one. The smaller one from ALdi is an excellent piece of kit for soldering and stays on the boat but not quite enough oomph to cut rope. The bigger one gets used for the day job including audio installlation on ships where soldering cable in a goodly wind may be needed and does cut rope with the appropriate tip easily.
maxi77
Well-Known Member
Iy have used the Aldi one for years and find it fine for rope as long as you do not hurry, it's about time they had them in stock again.
philip_stevens
Well-Known Member
+2 - one on the boat, and one at home.
Also have its bigger brother for heavier work http://uk.farnell.com/weller/pyropen/soldering-iron-350-deg-to-500/dp/800417
donm
Well-Known Member
Bought one off EBay for about £10 and money well spent
Very easy to use- only one pointed tip so a selection would be nice but for this money who could complain?
You can get a more comprehensive set for around £30
Geoff Enigma
Active Member
I also have the Aldi gas iron and find it excellent particularly for use out of doors as it is hotter than most electric irons. A friend had bought a snap on gas iron which looked to me to be the same item but 4 times the price. I agree it's time Aldi had them in again because at £16 they were great value. The Aldi reciprocating saw was also a great investment.
Skylark
Well-Known Member
Another vote for this. I also have a 12v iron somewhere on the boat, still in its packaging as I've never needed to use it. The Dremel is quite a versatile bit of kit.
RichardS
N/A
Another vote for the Aldi gas iron. Excellent value, works well and a good selection of tips. However, the clincher for me is that having a small precise gas torch aboard has been invaluable on several occasions for freeing corroded fittings, usually stainless steel bolts / studs into alloy. You can't use an electric soldering iron for this so it's several tools in one! :encouragement:
Richard
donm
Well-Known Member
Nice one - I had not thought of using it that way !!!
wiggy
Well-Known Member
I've got the same, good bit of kit.
nigelmercier
RIP
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I've got a 12V Draper one, complete waste of time.
30boat
N/A
I bought one of those in 94 and then another,both still going strong.Very good tools.
Lon nan Gruagach
Well-Known Member
This would be my vote, used one of these in driving sleet. Only quibble, the tip coating is a bit weak and pits and dissolves rather quickly (typical for an iron that is frequently over temperature)
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
The Portasol Pro 50 is cheap £16.50
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORTASOL-PRO-50-PORTABLE-CORDLESS-GAS-SOLDERING-IRON-/160566240413
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