Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

I occasionally need to solder projects at home and at work (I'm a lab technician). This iron is very convenient for all sorts of projects, from moderately intricate electronics work to larger-scale power connection soldering.

It has a LOT of power, so it's easy to cook components if you're not careful. It's also not always easy to start (using a lighter should help).

I haven't encountered the leaking-butane problem yet, and I'm not especially careful about taking care of it (it usually rides around in my backpack with several other tools etc). It's very durable, especially for the price. Unfortunately, I lost the blowtorch tip shortly after buying it, so I haven't been able to test that.

I'm not sure why the product photo shows it on Radio Shack's el-cheap-o iron stand, since it does have its own built-in wire stand.

If it were easier to start and came with a few extra tips and a holder, it would easily get five stars. As it is, I'll give it four-and-a-half, and round down. Definitely recommended, though.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

No blow torch tip replacement available. This is a very useful tool but each time this tip gets dirty you must purchase entire soldering iron.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

this is the best iron i have ever had. it works great in all applications and also has a torch tip. the only bad thing i have come across on it in 3 years is the tip can burn itself up if you run it too hot.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

I keep one of these in the truck all the time, I've gone through a few, but for the price I can live with it. Also I don't really take care of it, it gets bounced around. Works outdoors (once you get it fired up) good. I've used this outside in chicago winters to repair intercoms

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Like one of the other reviewers, I'll be ordering my third one, but in 8 years. The price is [$]if it lasts 2 years, I got my money's worth; anything over that is great!I accidentally broke my first one, my current one leaks fuel (described below).The issues I've had are:Leaking fuel, the fuel will always leak out very slowly, because the fuel area isn't 100% air tight. This isn't a big deal and pretty much expected behavior. The BAD gas leak issue occurs where the black plastic starts to separate from the fuel area, this causes the gas to quickly leak out and may cause it to flare. If this happens, stop using it! My current torch has this issue, probably from improper storage and a bit of abuse.Worn out soldering tips, the area in the tip, which turns red is actually filled with fiberglass; after a year of moderate use, the fiberglass will wear out and you'll need to replace the tip... or replace the fiberglass. The tips are inexpensive and the fiberglass is actually easy to replace.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

I've had mine for over 2 years now and I'm just needing to get a new tip. Works great for hobbies and little boards for RC vehicles and other electronics.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

i don't know what people are talking about when they say the butane leaks out. i have had this filled for a week and it is still as full as ever. just don't be stupid with it, it gets HOT.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

I'm an aircraft electrician and this by far the best portable soldering iron I have.It's cheap and reliable.I bought my first one and abused it in Afganistan and survived.If you solder a lot I suggest you buy an extra tip.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Am buying my third in 5 years. For real work I prefer my desktop but when making repairs on the fly its great to not have to find be near an outlet and its small size makes it easy to schlep. On the otherr hand, I really wish the valves wouldn't leak after about the 10th refill. But... Its cheap!

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Worse soldering tool, I have purchased in years. Leaks gas, doesn't heat up well, hard to star and top broke when staring up.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Works great eccept for the fact that the soldering tip melted off after only 2 weeks of use! Can I get replacements ?

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Best thing I've ever used for soldering on co-ax connectors. Sorry I didn't discover this years ago! It makes the job go so much more quickly.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Works GREAT, up until earlier today. I accidentally dropped the (still hot) soldering tip into a bucket of water whilst trying to change tips. the bucket was right there because my friends and I were using some fireworks in the backyard earlier. Anybody else have this problem? I think I may just buy another one of these torches and keep it away from water. Now, the soldering tip does not ignite at all.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Mine leaks butane too, leaving it empty when I need it, leading to the low "reliability" score. It's hard to light; I end up holding my Bic under it for a moment until it gets going. But once it's lit, it's incredibly easy to use, well-balanced and ergonomic, the handle doesn't even heat up. The heat control adjusts much faster than an electric iron, and while it's no replacement for a professional temperature-controlled station, it's also nowhere near the price. Supremely handy despite the quirks.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Pretty cool iron! It works MUCH faster than the electric soldering iron. I feels cheap, but it still works very well. Very easy to use, without having a cord to pull you back. I hope to have this for a very long time.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

It solders fine, but is cheaply made. Mine leaks butane slowly and the tank empties on its own within a few days.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

works great

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Replaced a $ 100.00 soldering iron with this and am very happy I did

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

The ignitor is simple, but fairly effective; uses a standard flint/steel that you can easily replace. The soldering iron tip can be a bit slow to heat up, but once it's hot, it's the most flexible iron I've ever owned (best out of 5). It can be as hot as you need it (hoter than any electric I've ever used), or you can lower the temp if you want it a little cooler (to work on something that's very close to plastic you want to avoid melting, for example). And the torch tip! That's just sweet. I got a second iron that I threw in with my camping gear, just for starting campfires. :-)

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

The torch works well but the striker breaks to easy it's cheap plastic it has a pocket holder like a pen would have but don't use it cause it will break. then there are 4 little tabs on the inside of the lid that break if you don't put it in straight then the lid won't stay on, so it is really easy to burn yourself or anything around you. the torch itself works great there are just alot of safety issues they could make better.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

I love this torch and use it all the time, i keep the soldering tip off as it does not work too well the torck tip does however and it can be used for just about anything.....i mainly use this for soldering and its lasted me 1 year so far and still goin strong......at $20 this is a great little torch

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

This is a very handy tool. No cord to worry about. Appears to be well built. Great for working on car audio, and small jobs. Butane is cheap and readily available.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

Very nice and reliable little tool. I use it at work and it is much better than lugging a standard soldering iron. Tips are a little more expensive than they should be, but for ease and convenience, this can't be beat.

Comments about RadioShack Mini Butane Gas-Powered Iron:

The iron works very well but replacement solder tips are expensive.