Cold heat soldering iron

[Anonymous]

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/heat_cold_soldering_set.html

I have not tried it, just seen that advertized on TV, and I was wondering if any of you had tried it. Definitely something I'd like to try out.

[Noah Hofrichter]

I 've seen that too. It looks really neat, and I definately want to look into it when it comes to the stores.

Noah

[cwclark]

i saw that on TV..but did you see what they were soldering?..it was really small items...looks like it could work for electronics but stuff like 16 gauge wire or rail joiners I'd have big reservations...never did buy stuff from the TV anyway..seen some of it before that other's have purchased and the TV makes the stuff look better than what it really is when they get it...Chuck[:D]

[cacole]

I'll let someone else waste their money on a novelty item that doesn't work as advertised. This topic has been discussed previously and the concensus seemed to be that it is unsuitable for anything except perhaps soldering very small wires together when installing a decoder. Not enough heat to solder anything more substantial.

[Anonymous]

the only thing you should buy on TV is those "magic" wire strippers. Those work great, they adjust to the size of the wire automatically so you get a good, clean strip every time.

[bow]dont know what id do without them[bow]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark

i saw that on TV..but did you see what they were soldering?..it was really small items...looks like it could work for electronics but stuff like 16 gauge wire or rail joiners I'd have big reservations...never did buy stuff from the TV anyway..seen some of it before that other's have purchased and the TV makes the stuff look better than what it really is when they get it...Chuck[:D]

I hadn't heard of this thing until now, but from the looks of it I would have to agree. DON'T BOTHER. The money you save will be your own. Also think of all of the batteries you would go through.[:0][xx(][;)]

[Anonymous]

When I need a soldering iron, I'll get a WAHL cordless one.

THEY'RE USA-MADE IN STERLING, IL![:D]

[ben10ben]

Doesn't look to me like it will do much, either.

With that said, my Dad has been looking for one on some wholesale drop-shipping sites, and if he can find one for $3-5(typical price for a $20 as seen on TV item), I'll probably buy one to try out. I don't expect it to do much, but I figure that the wire stippers it comes with would cost more than that [:)][:)]. I'll report how it does if I find one.

I think that for big jobs, like soldering 14 or 16 gauge wire to my Lionel tubular track, I'll stick with my 100 watt Radio Shack gun.

[Anonymous]

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When I need a soldering iron, I'll get a WAHL cordless one.

THEY'RE USA-MADE IN STERLING, IL!
This post has been edited by cjm89 on 12 Aug 2004, 14:38:52
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Attaboy, Chris. Stand like a proud American. We need more kids like you.

You're into trains, hunting, and motorsports ?....... you sound like my kids.

Jim Ledet
Rockaway NJ

[der5997]

Sounds like "Cold Fusion" to me...but then there's that disturbing article about cold fusion in Popular Mechanics this month.......[:O][:D]

[Anonymous]

Has anyone there actually tried this thing? I agree that it looks like it would only solder small things; but if you are doing component work on a board, a small concentrated heat source is a blessing. Can it heat only one pin of IC chip, for instance. Many are commenting that they are not impressed with the ad or the concept; but has anyone actually tried one? :-)

[Anonymous]

FWIW..

I don't have any trains (I fly RC planes/helo's/ducted fan, but don't have the patience for railway stuff.. you guys get the golden award for steadfast dedication), but a friend who does, asked me if I'd mind registering and posting a reply, with my 1st hand experience.

I use it for small work (electronics/electrical) such as RC servo's, and work-wise, repairing intercoms at gas station pumps, where plug-in tools are not practical, and my butane mini-torch is not an option.

The largest guage I use it on is solid-core, low voltage (alarm) wire. At this gauge of wire, I think it's about at it's limit for being convenient, and so as some of you suspected, for your larger guage useage, it would become a pain.

That being said, as someone else noted, if you order from the TV ad, you get the <ahem..cough.. cough> _magic_ wire stripper tool, that is worth the cost you had to pay. It works better than my supposed _really good_ $50 stripper.

So, it _does_ work, it is convenient when using smaller gauge wire, but for model railway stuff, I think you'd be better served with either a plug in (as you'll have electrical power source relatively close at hand, and if not, an extension is practical, or a butane-type mini gun tool. If you are in need of a good wire stripper, order this TV deal, as the stripper is worth it, if nothing else.

Hope this helps you guys out.