I'd seen the commercials for this instant-on battery-powered
soldering iron and wondered if I should add it to my tool box.
I saw this FAQ on Thinkgeek:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/files/FAQ040504.pdf
which made me think twice:
Q: What kind of soldering projects is this tool recommended for?
A: Based on the specifications mentioned above, we recommend this
tool for most electrical projects (such as wires 18-24 AWG), small
jewelry repair, and larger electronic projects. We do not recommend
it for soldering of large metallic components that require a lot
of heat transfer or for soldering sensitive electronic components
that may be damaged by fast-rising temperatures or high electrical
current. (Momentary high-amperage current will be created during
active soldering.)
Q: What is the spark I see sometimes during soldering?
A: The spark (arc) is caused by the passing of electrical current from
one half of the tip to the other. Although in testing the tool’s spark
did not damage any electrical or electronic components, we recommend
caution when soldering sensitive components. Also, ensure that the
tool is not used in flammable or explosive environments.
- John
Received on Wed Jan 12 2005 - 08:37:45 GMT