soldering iron
Submitted: Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:08
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Can anyone tell me if they have 12 volt soldering irons and the best ones to get
thanks
Reply By: Mad Dog (Victoria) - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:22
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:22
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.
AnswerID:
78732
Follow Up By: bob - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:52
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 08:52
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
FollowupID:
338195
Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 10:14
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 10:14
" 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.
FollowupID:
338203
Reply By: drivesafe - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 09:31
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 09:31
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
AnswerID:
78743
Reply By: locallaw - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 09:37
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 09:37
Gidday,It all depends what you want to solder.12V are only for very small jobs(electricial).
Seeya Locallaw
AnswerID:
78744
Reply By: theshadows - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 10:07
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 10:07
Butane are the way to go with different heads and blow torch fitting for heat shrink.
AnswerID:
78749
Reply By: Phil G - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:03
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:03
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.
AnswerID:
78755
Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:18
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 11:18
I prefer the butane irons. I just bought a new one at Jaycar for $30.
AnswerID:
78756
Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 14:16
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 14:16
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.
AnswerID:
78775
Reply By: drivesafe - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 17:51
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 17:51
The best thing about a butane is the length of the power cord?
Works anywhere, power or no power.
Cheers
AnswerID:
78790
Reply By: 3Landerblue - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 17:58
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 17:58
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
AnswerID:
78792
Follow Up By: drivesafe - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:28
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:28
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
FollowupID:
338276
Follow Up By: 3Landerblue - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:47
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:47
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
FollowupID:
338277
Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 14:28
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 14:28
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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Reply By: duncs - Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 21:46
Monday, Oct 04, 2004 at 21:46
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
AnswerID:
78831
Follow Up By: Phil G - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 00:08
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 00:08
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.
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338264
Reply By: Glenno - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:14
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 08:14
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.
AnswerID:
78871
Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 14:27
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 14:27
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.
AnswerID:
78923
Follow Up By: drivesafe - Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 20:52
Tuesday, Oct 05, 2004 at 20:52
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
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338412