cool touch soldering iron

[duhh]

they sell it on TV! so it must be good! Seriosly though, ayone know if this thing is decent. I burn myself every time i solder

 

[Jeff7]

Every time? I don't think I've ever contacted a soldering iron. I have toasted the power cord twice, but never me. But then, stuff like that just makes me nervous anyway - I don't take well to pain.

And you used the https button for your link.

 

[LTC8K6]

It's just a resistance soldering tool. There isn't really anything new or magical about them.

The tip is really two pieces of soft carbon or graphite close together. To solder you have to short out the 2 pieces of carbon at the tip with the item you want to heat up. The current actually passes through the wire or the IC leg to heat it up.

The tip is frail and the batteries don't last long.

 

[LTC8K6]

It's important to note that if the 2 tips of this iron contact 2 different leads of a transistor or an IC, the voltage could pass through the chip, possibly damaging it.

 

[minofifa]

i was wondering who esle watches infomercials at 3:00 in the morning other than me

 

[Thegonagle]

I read the FAQ, and it looks handy in some situations, but not for most uses.

Go pick up a soldering iron stand instead. That will prevent a lot of accidents by providing the iron with a safe, secure place to rest while it's hot.

 

[Bluefront]

Well I got one for $19 at HomeDepot. And I know how to solder. But I'll be dammed if I can get the thing to work properly. Trying to tin the end of a small wire for instance....just can't do it. I suppose it has a use somewhere, but I'm at a loss to find any use for it.