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what portable-ish soldering iron should I buy?

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Benta:

--- Quote from: Gyro on June 23, 2020, 08:39:01 pm ---Are gas irons really that good for temperature stability / controllability?  I've always naively assumed that they would have similar characteristics to an unregulated element, ie. constant heat input, leading to excessive tip temperature when idling and temperature drop when soldering.  :-\

Do they have some sort of temperature feedback regulation mechanism?

--- End quote ---

Good question, the answer is no. The temperature feedback is the operator. When idle, just turn down the gas flow, it heats up very fast when needed.

That being said, temperature regulation is easy and fast (on my Portasol at least) and gives no problems, but requires an experienced solderer (just as for all soldering operations). It's actually easier to operate than the classic quality magnetic controlled Weller.
But yes, if you need to warm up a large object, your concern is justified. For that, the heat nozzle is included for pre-warming.

In short, if you need an iron that will hit 313 degrees C and stay there, the gas iron is not the right choice. If you want an iron that can be regulated easily, is light and compact with no cable and has plenty of heat reserve, go for the gas iron.

pickle9000:
Tip mass has a great deal to do with temp range and if you adjust with a meter you can easily get a stable15 minutes. Having said that the temp drop is minimal is the tip mass is as small as possible.

Portasol is Weller. In my experience 100 bucks will get a very decent butane iron. I don't typically change tips in the field and load three irons with what I need. I have only killed one iron and that involved dropping it into a sump filled with oil.

I have tried some Chinese guys they work fine but you can't light them reliably so carry a lighter to get them started. Portasol have the nice cover that turns off the iron and keeps you from getting burned.

Benta:

--- Quote from: pickle9000 on June 23, 2020, 09:04:36 pm ---Tip mass has a great deal to do with temp range and if you adjust with a meter you can easily get a stable15 minutes. Having said that the temp drop is minimal is the tip mass is as small as possible.

Portasol is Weller. In my experience 100 bucks will get a very decent butane iron. I don't typically change tips in the field and load three irons with what I need. I have only killed one iron and that involved dropping it into a sump filled with oil.

I have tried some Chinese guys they work fine but you can't light them reliably so carry a lighter to get them started. Portasol have the nice cover that turns off the iron and keeps you from getting burned.

--- End quote ---

Yes, Portasol is today unfortunately Weller. Expect the same downward spiral in quality as with other Weller stuff...

GlennSprigg:
Ha!!  I just had flash-backs of an aspect of my previous work, on large building Fire-Systems...
In big buildings, the Thermal-Detectors are often quite high. When I was testing them, (and
I'm talking about literally 500 to 1000 in big buildings!), I used one of those Butane 'Portasol'
style gas Irons, with a Coke can under the screw-in Tip, and the can top cut off. And mounted
it all on the end of an aluminium extension pole, like for a swimming pool vacuum head.   8)
Used to work perfectly!!  (Held up against the detector). Would set them off in about 5 seconds.
Some (stairways/foyers etc) would be up to 5 to 8 metres high!  No probs!!   ;D
And yes, they can put out a LOT of heat when turned up high, even soldering to a metal chassis!!   :-+

ciccio:

--- Quote from: Benta on June 23, 2020, 10:27:42 pm ---Yes, Portasol is today unfortunately Weller. Expect the same downward spiral in quality as with other Weller stuff...

--- End quote ---
I was curious, and went to www.portasol.com
Nowhere in the site they affirm of being bought by Weller.
The Weller site shows only one gas iron, the old Pyropen Jr, that is not a Portasol, but on Amazon you can buy a Weller Portasol /https://www.amazon.it/Weller-gas-saldatore-Portasol-T0051608099/dp/B003A62U5E/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=83529439571&dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk5638c-a6gIVAxUYCh0bLwxTEAAYAiAAEgKXe_D_BwE&hvadid=381443988670&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1008626&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10351294123279931369&hvtargid=kwd-301729107541&hydadcr=12845_1758538&keywords=weller+portasol&qid=1593007639&sr=8-1&tag=slhyin-21.
This is funny...
I had once a Portasol (the original orange one) that was too unreliable in use, then I bough a (very expensive) Weller Pyropen (light blue, made in Japan. with a metal box) that is still in my toolbox after 12 years of very occasional use, and  it worked. I steel prefer a long cable reel and an electric iron.. :)

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