Recommend me a gas soldering iron

[Kram]

Most manufacturers make an adapter to charge USB devices off their batteries, you could run a TS80 iron off one (Or better yet, a modified TS100). You could even glue an iron holder on top of the adapter and make a really tidy little portable soldering station.

I've actually wanted to make something like that for a while, a little temp controlled station which fits on top of a DeWalt battery, probably using a JBC handpiece so replacement cartridges would be so readily available. One day...

UsbC cables Ive found are both expensive and lacking flexibility for the higher rated ones. Better to have the adaptor on the battery side and have a decent flexible silicone cable.

However the TS100 etc.. will be quite happy at 18-24v so instead just get a 3d printed nylon adaptor and wire directly to an input cable. No need to mess about with the silly usb standard just for the sake of it.

Tool batterys are happy at several hundred watts but Im yet to see any full 5A current USB PD adaptor/supply below £60! A huge premium for a standard that I do not like.

 

[daleyd]

I see you are already sorted and have gone battery route, however I would recommend ersa gas kits for anyone looking - maybe a bit expensive but very good quality and made in Ireland if that counts for anything (at least the one I bought was)

 

[123hotchef]

the one from Beal uk is just fine

 

[roofman]

I see you are already sorted and have gone battery route, however I would recommend ersa gas kits for anyone looking - maybe a bit expensive but very good quality and made in Ireland if that counts for anything (at least the one I bought was)

Seems a good shout those Ersa kits Dale..looking for one myself and i will do a bit more research on them

 

[pedrobedro]

I bought an Aldi Workzone version that looks like quite a few of the ones on here. It's always empty when I go back to it but it fills up and does the job when I need it. It's a handy torch as well with the tip removed. I would replace it with something better if it stopped working.

 

[Maker]

I see you are already sorted and have gone battery route, however I would recommend ersa gas kits for anyone looking - maybe a bit expensive but very good quality and made in Ireland if that counts for anything (at least the one I bought was)

That looks just like the Snap On and Portasol ones.

 

[daleyd]

That looks just like the Snap On and Portasol ones.

Maybe - looking closer I think they look a little different and I’ve never had either a snap on or portasol so can’t comment but I do have one of those and it’s very good quality. I believe ersa are a manufacturer of high end soldering equipment??

 

[anto44]

That looks just like the Snap On and Portasol ones.

The snap on ones are made in Ireland too. I know a girl who worked in the factory, they made them for several different manufacturers, same internals just different coloured outer casings.

 

[daleyd]

The snap on ones are made in Ireland too. I know a girl who worked in the factory, they made them for several different manufacturers, same internals just different coloured outer casings.

Question answered then, it’s probably the same

 

[pint]

I've had a SolderPro 70 for years. don't use it much now for soldering, as i crimp everything.

the little heat gun attachment is good for heatshrink.

 

[finyuk2005]

I'm sure I saw an advert somewhere for an adapter that lets you run a T12 off a Makita battery. That would be brilliant as the T12 is really good.

yeah i just made one, with a cheap usb adaptor (so cheap i didnt even work!) and one of those barrel plugs that fit the back of the T12 iron,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/14-4V-18V-Portable-Charging-Converter-Compatible/dp/B09ZL1F7RY/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=makita+usb+battery+adaptor&qid=1661296898&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-5-5mm-Barrel-Connector-Pigtail-black/dp/B016IGA60S

pull the adaptor apart and solder the barrel plug wires on, slap it on a battery and away you go, works brilliant!

I have since made another adaptor that powers a voltage dropper hidden inside the gutted battery of my air fed welding mask, as the original battery was well past it, and a replacement was pretty expensive, and also i now have one less type of battery to charge!

 

[Mart63]

Most manufacturers make an adapter to charge USB devices off their batteries, you could run a TS80 iron off one (Or better yet, a modified TS100). You could even glue an iron holder on top of the adapter and make a really tidy little portable soldering station.

I've actually wanted to make something like that for a while, a little temp controlled station which fits on top of a DeWalt battery, probably using a JBC handpiece so replacement cartridges would be so readily available. One day...

If you have a 3D printer you could build something like this https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4125984

 

[Turbo]

Whatever gas irons you are looking at check out the price & availability of replacement tips for them. They usually burn out the catalyst inside the tip before the tip wears out & do not last that long compared to electric units, so you need to consider their cost as you'll be replacing them regularly.

I bought one of the T12 clones in this review & the only use the gas iron gets now is for heat shrink!
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/t12-soldering-iron.95188/

I've tried it out temporarily rigged up to a Makita drill battery & its a lot better on auto work plus a darn site safer with no hot flame to worry about while you're lying upside down in a footwell!

 

[mtt.tr]

Most manufacturers make an adapter to charge USB devices off their batteries, you could run a TS80 iron off one (Or better yet, a modified TS100). You could even glue an iron holder on top of the adapter and make a really tidy little portable soldering station.

I've actually wanted to make something like that for a while, a little temp controlled station which fits on top of a DeWalt battery, probably using a JBC handpiece so replacement cartridges would be so readily available. One day...

I was planning one but using a t12 Chinese iron.
But really I would want low voltage protection easy enough to make or cobble together from eBay buys.


Ive recently bought the M12 it's fantastic.



Also bought a cordless blow gun, again very good for £30 they make this Chinese one for all brand batteries I believe.




Do not miss using a gas iron or gas blower.

 

[James1979]

I was planning one but using a t12 Chinese iron.
But really I would want low voltage protection easy enough to make or cobble together from eBay buys.


Ive recently bought the M12 it's fantastic.
View attachment 361253
View attachment 361252

Also bought a cordless blow gun, again very good for £30 they make this Chinese one for all brand batteries I believe.
View attachment 361255
View attachment 361254


Do not miss using a gas iron or gas blower.

It’s so good it lives on the mantelpiece

Have you a link for the blower please? I’ve the m18 one but at that price I’ll take the Chinese one out and about.

 

[scottmk1]

I was planning one but using a t12 Chinese iron.
But really I would want low voltage protection easy enough to make or cobble together from eBay buys.


Ive recently bought the M12 it's fantastic.
View attachment 361253
View attachment 361252

Also bought a cordless blow gun, again very good for £30 they make this Chinese one for all brand batteries I believe.
View attachment 361255
View attachment 361254


Do not miss using a gas iron or gas blower.

Thanks for the input, that blower looks decent enough for the price.

Just waiting on the M12 turning up so I can get on with wiring up the parking brake on my truck

 

[mtt.tr]

It’s so good it lives on the mantelpiece

Have you a link for the blower please? I’ve the m18 one but at that price I’ll take the Chinese one out and about.

Haha, had to try it out on opening it.


Just looked they only do Makita and DeWalt.

 

[scottmk1]

Well I used the M12 soldering iron today for the first time and it’s great, no ******* about with gas and getting the bugger lit!

 

[mtt.tr]

You'll be wanting the hot air gun next

 

[scottmk1]

I’m still using the trusty Clipper for my heatshrink