I would agree with you, Mark. I bought one of these early last year when the
Seattle Times newspaper featured this local manufacturer in their
"Technology" section. Cold Heat had just begun to market their product at
the time, and there was a backorder list. It turns out it wasn't worth the
wait-- keeping the device's tip in proper contact with the joint is tricky,
and the tip (electrodes?) wear down and/or chip easily. It *is* pretty
amazing how fast the Cold Heat soldering iron cools off after use, and the
battery life is surprisingly long.

I've known how to solder properly for years, but the Cold Heat iron seems
designed to do one thing: make cold solder joints! The solder does not flow
well into the heated work piece as with traditional methods. The solder
wants to ball up even a short distance away from the point of contact. I
finally gave up and went back to a propane-powered soldering torch with a
catalytic element soldering tip. With care, I can easily solder anything "in
the field" that I need to, from Beverage antenna terminating resistors to
wires on ground rods.

Guy Atkins
Puyallup, WA USA


--------------------------------------------
"Mark S. Holden" wrote in message
...

I looked into this when I first saw them advertised. The reviews I saw
all said
it was worthless. Here's a link to the Amazon review page for it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B00067GK7Y/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/104-4327252-1271913?%5Fencoding=UTF8&me=A2WEFPOFEIM91H&s=hi

GA,

"propane-powered soldering torch with
a catalytic element soldering tip"
..
Something like the one of these two ?
..
WELLER "Pyropen Junior"
https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA5/...lay.jsp?arg1=0
Self-igniting butane gas-powered soldering iron and hot air tool.
Has temperature control from 15 to 60 watts.
Features: Self-ignition finger switch; protective cap to keep hot tip
from contact with surfaces. Specs: heat-up time: 30 seconds;
Fuel tank capacity: approximately 1 hour. 8.25" OAL
..
ULYRATORCH - Butane Heat Tool STD UT-100SI.
https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA5/...ay.jsp?arg1=48
Cordless Ultratorch is a self-igniting, combination portable
soldering iron and flameless heat tool. Perfect for in-field
services and maintenance for production areas where
accessibility may be limited. Piezoelectric push button
system - no matches or lighters necessary. Completely
cordless - no E.M.I. Lightweight for fatigue-free use.
Variable temperature control. Streamlined design -
allows easy accessibility in restricted work areas.
Comes complete with a soldering and heat tip, spanner
wrench, open-end wrench, heat shrink attachment and
protective cap. Heating temperatures: 200-500 degrees C
(392-932 degrees F) when soldering, 700 degrees C
(1292 degrees F) when shrinking. DOES NOT OPERATE
IN TORCH MODE! (Butane Not Included)
..
iwtk ~ RHF
..
..

The pyropen junior and the ultratorch are very good and stand up well in daily
use.

For somewhat lighter usage though, the radio shack 64-2188 [sold under several
other names as well] works surprisingly well for its price -- and is quite
compact. There are even hot air and hot knife tips available for this model,
but not from radio shack [last I saw them was in Maplins in the UK].

"RHF" wrote in message
ups.com...
GA,

"propane-powered soldering torch with
a catalytic element soldering tip"
.
Something like the one of these two ?
.
WELLER "Pyropen Junior"
.
ULYRATORCH - Butane Heat Tool STD UT-100SI.
.
iwtk ~ RHF
.
.

"RHF" wrote in message
ups.com...
GA,

"propane-powered soldering torch with
a catalytic element soldering tip"
.
Something like the one of these two ?
SNIP
------------------------------------------------------------

I called it propane-powered, but I meant to say Butane. Mine is the
TechTorch by Ronson:
http://www.ronsoncorp.com/techtorch.cfm

It was just $20 or so at Walmart. The soldering iron tip has a small chunk
of catalytic material in it. You light the torch, let it run for a few
seconds, and then blow out the flame. The catalytic material continues to
generate heat without a flame. It's great for all-around soldering, although
I prefer a direct flame when soldering to ground rods and other heavy-duty
jobs.

Guy

GA,
..
Thanks for the Info about the Ronson TechTorch at Walmart.
..
Before I ever had an Electric Solder Iron in my hands.
I use to 'help' my Daddy sweat Pipe Joins and Heat-Up
old Soldering Irons (Brands?) with an old Blow Torch.
BLOW TORCH = http://members.aol.com/blotorches/
..
those were the days ~ RHF
..
..