I purchased this kit online because I'd wanted a cordless soldering iron. Regular soldering irons are fine if you are always doing a lot of soldering, but I typically only do minor repairs requiring 2 or 3 joins or splices. With this unit I don't have to wait 10-15 minutes for the tip to heat up, nor do I have to get out the extension cord to do some soldering in the field.
There was an unanticipated benefit to this unit, which is using the heater tip. We've started using heat shrink tubing to cover the ends of multi-conductor cables where the outer insulating jacket has been stripped off. This gives the cables a nicely finished, professional look. Most of these cables are inside panels where 110v AC power is not readily available, so using a heat gun would require getting out the extension cord, lugging it to the panel, etc etc etc.
I've had this kit for 3 years now, and we're still finding new uses for it. I'd rate this as a highly recommended tool that belongs in every tool kit. Blazer SI-100 Excalibur Multi-Purpose Butane Torch and Hot Air Soldering Kit
I bought this for use as a high-powered small torch, but it really only functions as a soldering tool. For that function it seemed pretty powerful and easy to use, but I never actually used it for that purpose. I returned it to get a true torch.
I had difficulty getting the element hot enough to solder. Thought it was because I couldn't get enough butane in the unit due to lack of correct tip on the can of butane I bought. So I have some Blazer butane sent to the house (not inexpensive with shipping) and the unit won't pass butane now.
I love the idea of this thing, and I did get to use it a few times, but I don't believe the quality of the unit I received is good. Unfortunately I bought one for my dad as well. Hope his holds up better...
I'll find out about their customer service / warranty next week.
I use this butane torch as part of my everyday job as an aircraft mechanic. Most commonly, I use it to shrink heatshrink, as well as solder every now and then. (I tend to only use this instead of a regular soldering iron when I am in a tight or inaccessible spot).
This torch is exactly the same as the one in many other sets; they all just have different names on them and, accordingly, different pricetags. This was the cheapest one I could find, which is what drew me to it. I am not at all disappointed. I go back and forth between the hot blower tip and the soldering tip; changing between them is very simple and straightforward.
I have not used the knife or chisel tips, so I can not speak to how well they work. - Cordless Soldering Iron - Soldering Guns - Soldering - Soldering Iron'
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