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soldering iron

Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:08

markline

Can anyone tell me if they have 12 volt soldering irons and the best ones to get
thanks
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ThreadID: 16765 Replies: 12
Views: 753 FollowUps: 7
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AnswerID: 78732   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:22

Mad Dog (Victoria) replied:

Yes there certainly are 12 volt soldering irons, I think DSE has a 40 watt job for about $30. The other thing to consider is a butane iron which also doubles as a blow torch.




Reply 1 of 12
FollowupID: 338195   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:52

bob posted:

Hi
Ive got one of the dick smith ones and whilst when I bought it I thought it might not live up to expectations I have found it to be as effective as the 240 V soldering irons of the same wattage.

Regards

Bob A
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 338203   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 10:14

Truckster (Vic) posted:

" The other thing to consider is a butane iron which also doubles as a blow torch."
Without doubt AWESOME little units.. but they arent cheap.. Use a mates one all the time its sweet and works well.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 78743   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 09:31

drivesafe replied:

Hi markline, many years ago I use to install car alarms and very quickly found the 12 volt irons were to slow so, on the advice of another car alarm installer, I bought a butane iron and have never regretted it.
They are more expensive and it will depend on how much you intend to use it as to whether the price is justified but I have never found a wire that was too big to be soldered with the butane iron.
Cheers
Reply 2 of 12
AnswerID: 78744   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 09:37

locallaw replied:

Gidday,It all depends what you want to solder.12V are only for very small jobs(electricial).
Seeya Locallaw
Reply 3 of 12
AnswerID: 78749   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 10:07

theshadows replied:

Butane are the way to go with different heads and blow torch fitting for heat shrink.
Reply 4 of 12
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AnswerID: 78755   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:03

Phil G replied:

Best soldering iron I have ever used is a 12volt SuperScope. Available from Dick Smiths, cost about $100. Its 150watts (yes, thats correct) and will solder anything. It heats up in about 5 seconds using a switch in the iron. I use it for those major soldering jobs. Reckon you could even repair a radiator with it.
Reply 5 of 12
AnswerID: 78756   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:18

Bob of KAOS replied:

I prefer the butane irons. I just bought a new one at Jaycar for $30.
Reply 6 of 12
AnswerID: 78775   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 14:16

Member - JohnR (Vic) replied:

Local repair shop with auto electrical specialty sold me a good solid 12v one a couple of years back. Replaceable tip and element and has not faltered since has a purple handle in aluminium which I doubted. Is a ripper but will take a different one tripping I think as it is the farm one....... No switch just the alligator clips.
On the way to Gemtree
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Cheers,
Who?
John
Multi famam, conscientiam pauci verentur
Reply 7 of 12
AnswerID: 78790   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 17:51

drivesafe replied:

The best thing about a butane is the length of the power cord?

Works anywhere, power or no power.
Cheers
Reply 8 of 12
AnswerID: 78792   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 17:58

3Landerblue replied:

Just purchased a 12v iron from Jaycar for $14.95,
I have had gas irons in the past including a Weller and they have all failed.

cheers 3LB
Reply 9 of 12
FollowupID: 338276   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:28

drivesafe posted:

Hi 3Landerblue, how did your Weller fail. I've done thousands of soldering jobs with mine, both in vehicle use and used it for years in the installation of home security equipment and wiring.
It's about 10 to 12 years old and never missed a beat.
Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 338277   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:47

3Landerblue posted:

Hi Drivesafe,
The weller each time I light it just flares up and the valve refuses to shut off properly. Another model previously purchased always blew out.
A third used to flare up, no eyebrows!

So this time I went for the $14.95 alternative from Jaycar ia 12V 60 watt iron and is catalogue numberer TS-1530.
I can run it off my aux battery or Bushranger tank.
I also do not have to carry spare lighter fuel with me.

I must be unlucky

cheers 3LB

FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 338355   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 14:28

Member - Jeff M (WA) posted:

Yeah my Weller was CRAP. But my new one (touch wood) is just like nothing I've ever used. It's great!

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FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 78831   Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 21:46

duncs replied:

Do you need a 12v iron or is it something you want to add to your toolkit just in case?

I have only ever had to do one soldering job while camping in the bush. I used a tent peg heated on the camp stove and as far as I know the fridge is still going strong after 5 years.

Having said that a good 12v iron would be nice to have.

Just a thought.
Duncs
Reply 10 of 12
FollowupID: 338264   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 00:08

Phil G posted:

Thats a good point, and most electrical repairs can be done without solder. But I usually use mine fixing people's aerials or connectors from botchy installation jobs. At least if you solder something, you get a quality job that withstands the offroading.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 78871   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:14

Glenno replied:

If you do go with a 12v unit, make sure it doesnt have a philips head screw which removes the tip. After a few months of heating / cooling the screw becomes brittle and brakes off, making it impossible to remove the tip when it wears out.

Cheers,

Glenn.
Reply 11 of 12
AnswerID: 78923   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 14:27

Member - Jeff M (WA) replied:

I got a 120w Butane from Altronics, about $100 but just fantastic, my other gas iron was usless if there was a breeze, would take ages to heat up and larger guage wires were almost impossible to solder. This bugger's quite big in you hand, but will got for 7 hours without refilling. It also has a self push button ignigter and will heat up to 550c. Can't recommend highly enough.

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#1 - I'm not telling :-)
#2 Yellowdine National Park
#3 Powerline Trek - Saywers Valley
#4 Near Hyden WA
#5 Pinjar Pines
Reply 12 of 12
FollowupID: 338412   Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 20:52

drivesafe posted:

Hi Jeff M, that's the only draw back with my Weller, it could be a bitch to light if there was any sort of breeze. Like the idea of the self igniter.
Cheers
FollowUp 1 of 1
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