gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

[argaclock]

Hello:
I am new here.
I have to recap an Asrock mobo, but my 25 Watt JBC iron can't de-solder the old cap. Its not hot enough.

I need to buy a new iron. How about a gas-powered iron? For example, the Gascat 60 by Antex? It is cheap (30 euros), and can reach 625ºC (variable temperature).
Also, they can be used with accessories (flame-output, etc) for other applications.

What is the drawback?
How do you refill the butane? is it very expensive?

thanks.

[arneson]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

I have a collection of Pyropens as some are called.
The butane from Weller or any drug store hardware store or Wallymart is very cheap, each charge up lasts a long time, think bic lighters.
Mostly good for fine to medium work as the tips are small.
Marine stores have them, home despot has them and radio shack.
My complaint is that they don't stand up to my tool kit.
They will rupture, high heat in my car, and break, thrown around a bit.
I have at least four different ones and really like them.

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

Hi arneson:

sorry, I don't understand this part of your post (my native language is spanish):
>>
My complaint is that they don't stand up to my tool kit.
They will rupture, high heat in my car, and break, thrown around a bit.
<<

do you mean they are fragile?

on paper they look fantastic. I wonder why they are not more popular...??

[willawake]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

625oC is just too hot, you will damage electronics.
you want 450-480oC

antex is not a good brand.
get a 60-80w iron

with parts, soldering irons will last a lifetime. if you are interested in electronics get a good one.

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

@Willawake:
but 625ºC is the maximum temperature.
I will try the lowest temps first.

Is Antex a bad brand?
I only use the iron very seldom.
and I have very little money

So I don't need a PRO tool.

Willawake, how about Butane irons?

[willawake]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

where are you based anyway? please update your profile.

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

I am in Spain

[arneson]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

They aren't so much fragile as that I tend to smash them.
The gas soldering irons that last the longest for me are left in the case with spare tips and solder, when I toss them loose into tool kit they get busted.

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

@arneson:
so basically, the only problem with them is that you squash them?
thats no problem for me. I am going to use at home.
any other problem with these gas irons?

I see that they can also be used as "hot-air guns", or "flame guns".
also, they are cordless.

So these are big advantages.

Any disadvantage?

[arneson]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

I posted once before that I use them at the top of sail boat mast and down in greasy bilges, so it's indispensable for me.
Be sure to get all the tips you see, they are very usefull.

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

yeah, I will get the hot air tip.
but, for recapping, will it work?

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

sorry, I mean, the butane with the iron tip... of course (not the hot air tip).

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

Hey, how about VELLEMAN irons? They are darn cheap.

electric
http://www.apogeekits.com/soldering_station_vtss5.htm

butane
http://www.apogeekits.com/butane_soldering_iron_2.htm

anybody knows them?

[arneson]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

That looks interesting, haven't had one but they are mostly similare in design.
You could recap with it but why would you not use a powered iron?

[argaclock]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

at that price, I could buy the powered iron, yes.

[arneson]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

I also heat shrink o Lot, another reason to love these.

[gonzo0815]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

I think the main problem is the regulation. they are getting probably ver hot, and this is why i am not shure baout recping. But for the main reason, the power you need for fast resoldering, i was already close to buy one. The problem of the apogee kit is probably the tip. I have an similar iron, but mains powered. And ican't solder very well with those needle like tip's. I recomend highly those chisel tips, if availiable for the iron.

[gonzo0815]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

Any way, i am using an vey cheap standard 80w mains powered iron,and it works if i replace the tip regularely.
It is om of those 5€ units from any hardware store. It is not antistatic and probably not grounded, so theoretically there could be some problems.
I always shorting the o/ps before i solder at them and ground the board via the ATX ground with those aligator clips. So basically there should no way, that there could be an voltage buildup betwen any of the MOSFET pins, wich are the most sensitive devices regarding static or not static voltages over 20v.
obviousely, the cpu should be removed for that rough handling.
ATM i am thinking about a new soldering station from Conrad elektronik, wich will cost me about 70€ as an analog unit. It seems to be a new unit and it seems to can handle a recap.

[arneson]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

I know this has been brought up elsewhere but,
It pisses me off that the chemical composition of solder could be changed to the point that components can't be easily replaced.
Yes I'm ranting about the lead free movement.
I've worked with silver solder a little, making jewelry stuff, no inside flux and hard to melt.
Looks like were going to have to become Welders...
Hand me that welding stick I'm gonna recap.

[willawake]

Re: gas-powered irons? disadvantages?

Campingaz cv-360





good for doing heatshrink and smoothening edges of acrylic. yup
good for smoking crack...probably
good for recapping.....nope. cartridges are expensive, tip is wobbly and too hot.