Has anyone used a cordless soldering iron for projects on their layout? I've been looking at that ColdHeat model. I 'm mostly looking at one for small jobs - decoder installations, lights, maybe the occasional adding jumpers to track. Quick jobs when I don't want to wait for the big one to warm up.
I've also seen a Weller model at Lowe's but didn't see any good reviews on it
acelachaser wrote: Has anyone used a cordless soldering iron for projects on their layout? I've been looking at that ColdHeat model. I 'm mostly looking at one for small jobs - decoder installations, lights, maybe the occasional adding jumpers to track. Quick jobs when I don't want to wait for the big one to warm up.I've also seen a Weller model at Lowe's but didn't see any good reviews on it
I've had nothing but bad experience with the cordless soldering irons. Short charge life, low heat output, etc. And I've heard absolutely nothing good about the so called ColdHeat type iron. Stick with a good electric iron, warmup time should only be a few minutes.
acelachaser wrote:Has anyone used a cordless soldering iron for projects on their layout? I've been looking at that ColdHeat model. I 'm mostly looking at one for small jobs - decoder installations, lights, maybe the occasional adding jumpers to track. Quick jobs when I don't want to wait for the big one to warm up.I've also seen a Weller model at Lowe's but didn't see any good reviews on it
Save your money. Someone asked the same question a few months ago and I replied then. I bought one a couple of years ago to do N Scale track joints and wireing. I quickly went back to my corded pencil type iron. It works much faster and with less aggravation than the ColdHeat.
The previous questioner was concerned with melting the plastic ties and thought that the ColdHeat unit did not produce that kind of heat. WRONG! Whatever you are soldering does get HOT. It is only the tip of the soldering iron that cools off almost instantly. What you soldered together will stay HOT just as long as with a normal iron.
I do not know how well the Weller unit works, but save your money on the ColdHeat model. Invest in a quality, corded, pencil type unit if you do not already have one. Less aggravation.
Blue Flamer.
I agree with Tom & Flamer. I have been soldering since I was a kid and the best all around soldering tool I have is a small adjustable Weller Soldering Station that uses a pencil iron. It only takes about 3 minutes to warm up and is wonderful to use. I get professional results every time! It works on everything from printed circuits boards to track. Similar units cost about $50 to $75 and will probably last a life time.
-Bill
I just bought one at Harbor Freight and used it to solder some small hook-up wires. I had some trouble getting it oriented correctly to get the two halves of the tip to make electrical contact so it would heat, but the little red light gave a good indication of when it was working. Heat came up very quickly and the tip of the tool cooled very quickly, though the joint did not cool all that rapidly; you could still burn your fingers if you touch it too soon. Granted, I have only done 8 joints with it, so I don't know anything about battery life or tip longevity. But for the ability to solder wires in a remote location without having to drag an extension cord to the job or contend with the power cord dangling from the unit, it was worth it for me, this time. I doubt if it would do a good job soldering brass sheets or 10 gauge wires, but for pairs of 18 or 20 gauge hoop-up wire it worked fine.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
I brought a Radio Shack cordless torch model. I have used it for years. It is really good for small, limited number uses. It uses butane fuel. This unit isn't an open flame.......
Also, had a cold heat given to me. I used it once and dumped in the bottom of some box and haven't seen it since.
Do yourself a big favor and avoid the "cold heat" models. I teach Aplus computer repair. Several students over the years have tried them and none liked them. Those irons suffer from several major problems, one of which is a fragile tip.
There are a few rechargable cordless irons on the market that work fairly well, but your best bet is a 30 - 35 watt corded model or an temperature controlled station if you can afford it.
Some will say to use guns. Use the forum search function to find out about that discussion.
Karl
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
I agree with these other posts about that Cold Heat soldering iron. I bought one, and it works like #*^%!@!!!
I can't tell you about cordless ones though; as I've never used one. I'll just say that I use a 35-watt pencil tip iron that I bought at Radio Shack years ago, and it's always worked perfectly for me. On 2 HO layouts, and my current N scale one.