Which gas soldering iron to choose: TOP 13 best models in 2022

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For soldering, you can use different types of soldering irons. Gas models are popular today. Their operating principle resembles the operation of a gas welding machine. This hand tool does not require electricity, it is comfortable to hold in the hand, and some models can even work without a tip.

The device is quite easy to use. It consists of three parts:

• gas filling tank;
• flame adjustment button;
• connector

The gas is ignited from a piezoelectric element or flint, less often from a match or lighter. The scope of application is the most extensive - repairing equipment, cutting and welding plastic, heating rusted parts, spot soldering of microcircuits. However, it is not the most versatile soldering equipment. Its main drawback is its low power. And this introduces limitations when working with large parts. Difficulties may also arise when filling the tank with gas, so it is convenient to choose soldering irons with replaceable cartridges. Our rating presents equipment with a variety of characteristics. We hope the review will be of interest to both those who choose a soldering iron for a hobby and professional craftsmen.

The best inexpensive gas soldering irons from AliExpress

This category presents budget gas soldering irons that will be useful for hobbies and home repairs. They do not have a piezo ignition function, and, as a rule, are equipped with small gas tanks. The degree of gas supply can be adjusted. The design provides a special catalyst in the form of a ceramic mesh coated with platinum. It prevents the flame from escaping and allows the tip to heat evenly. But ceramics is a fragile material, so you can’t drop the instrument, and it wouldn’t hurt to ask the seller for additional packaging. State employees are sold on AliExpress, most often without additional attachments.

Gas soldering iron: buyer's guide

What is a gas soldering iron?

A gas soldering iron is a universal compact device that is convenient to use when there is no connection to an electrical outlet, as well as when it is necessary to solder parts made of various materials. It is used for soldering radio components, heating pipes and threaded connections, soldering large elements using refractory solder, softening old paint and varnish coatings and other types of work.

To understand the principle of operation of the device, it is necessary to consider the features of its design. All models of gas soldering irons consist of the following elements:

• containers for filling with liquefied gas;
• gas burner with built-in ceramic grate;
• working nozzle.

When the device operates, the gas gradually leaves the tank and mixes with oxygen in the air. Ignition is carried out due to a piezoelectric element or an external fire source. The flame intensity is changed using a special button, which allows you to adjust the operating temperature. A ceramic grid coated with a layer of platinum serves as a catalyst, thanks to which the flame burns evenly and quickly heats the soldering iron tip.

The main advantages of gas soldering irons

The main distinguishing feature of gas soldering irons is the ability to operate autonomously. With the help of such devices, you can solder parts of various sizes in any conditions, and not just at your desk. Gas soldering irons can be used in hard-to-reach places, while the working area of ​​electrical devices is limited by the length of the cord and depends on the location of the outlet.

Most models of gas soldering irons are equipped with a special lock that protects the device from spontaneous activation. Within 15-30 seconds they heat up to 450-2000°C and can operate in several modes:

• soldering with a heated tip using a connecting substance;
• burner - heat treatment of the surface of parts using an open flame;
• air soldering, carried out using a narrowly directed gas flow.

In order to start working with an electrical device, you will need to wait 5-7 minutes, while the ability to adjust the heating is provided only in expensive models. The operating temperature of such devices is 450°C.

What to look for when choosing the best gas soldering iron?

Since the range of gas soldering irons on sale is quite wide, choosing the best tool for a certain type of work is quite difficult. In order for the soldering iron to meet your expectations during operation, you should pay attention to the following characteristics when purchasing:

1. Maximum temperature. The scope of its application depends on the temperature range of the soldering iron. The higher the heating temperature, the wider it is. Models that heat up to 1000-1500°C are suitable for home use. It is better for professionals to purchase a device with a maximum temperature of 2000°C.
2. Availability of flame level regulator. This function provides the ability to select the desired temperature and combustion intensity for soldering parts made of various materials.
3. Flame type. If the work requires significant heating of the surface, it is advisable to use a tool with a vortex flame flow. The pencil flame is suitable for applications where concentrated heat is required, while the jumbo, characterized by its sharp flame, is intended for heat-intensive and rough work. The multi-purpose flame is used where very high temperatures are not required.
4. Volume of the fuel container. This characteristic determines the service life of the tool. The smaller the tank volume, the more often it will have to be refilled.
5. Ignition type. Models equipped with a piezo ignition mechanism are more convenient than those that are started using fire sources. If you find yourself in the field without matches or a lighter, it will be impossible to use the latter.

The best open flame gas soldering irons (torches) from AliExpress

The equipment in this section is called blowtorches or torches. According to the principle of operation, it is similar to gas soldering irons. But there is one nuance - their torch burning is usually open. This design is rarely used in gas soldering irons. However, on AliExpress there are models that can work both as a soldering iron and as a torch. They are presented in the ranking. The tools cope best with lighting fires and barbecues, are popular in cooking, and can be used in repair work.

FAQ

Are gas soldering irons explosive? Gas soldering irons are not explosive devices, but safety precautions must be observed when working with them. Do not point the burner flame at flammable objects. If there is a gas leak from the device, the room must be well ventilated.

What gas can be used to refill a gas soldering iron? Before refilling a gas soldering iron, you must study the manufacturer’s operating instructions, which indicate the gas used to operate the device (propane or butane). In most cases, cylinders for refilling conventional lighters are suitable for this purpose.

How to make a gas soldering iron with your own hands?

A soldering iron is a simple tool that almost every owner has. Repair of TV, cell phones, radio equipment, connection of wires, antennas, cables is carried out using soldering. You can use welding, but it is not easy to use at home.

If you don’t have the necessary tool at home, you can make a soldering iron with your own hands.

Types of soldering irons and soldering rules

Soldering is the process of obtaining a permanent connection, which is obtained using a special tool - a soldering iron.

Soldering irons can be electric, induction, pulse, or gas. The easiest way to do soldering is to use a screwdriver heated with gas, but this is not very effective because the screwdriver cools down quickly.

Another version of the tool is a copper bar, which has a point on one side and is mounted on a rod with a handle on the other. The tool is heated on a gas stove or with a blowtorch.

Depending on what you will be soldering, different types of soldering irons are used. If the amount of work is large, then it is better to use an electric soldering iron, and a gas tool is perfect for soldering in difficult conditions where there is no electricity or it is turned off.

Before starting work, read these simple rules to get a good result:

• surfaces must be well cleaned;
• they must have a tight connection;
• During work, the elements to be connected must be heated to the required temperature.

To insulate the soldering area, use electrical tape or a special tube, which is slightly heated and fixed.

Choosing the right tool

The choice depends on your priorities in work, because you can solder various parts, but at home they often deal with problems such as extending wires, soldering connectors, antennas, and electrical equipment.

For work in the country or at home, an electric soldering iron, which has a reasonable price, is well suited. It’s convenient that you can work with it for a long time. Its disadvantages:

• temperature is not regulated;
• the tip overheats;
• the presence of static electricity, which can damage soldering elements;
• short service life;
• poor insulation of the soldering iron tip.

A convenient and functional device is a gas soldering iron, the main advantage of which is that you can work anywhere, regardless of the presence of an outlet. Such a tool has a fairly high price, but it can solder everything you need.

A gas soldering iron is convenient to carry with you or carry in a car.

You can repair electrical equipment on the road when your car breaks down or fix an antenna on the roof of your house.

Gas tools are mobile; they operate from a canister filled with gas. You can use them as a gas burner. The price of the tool may vary. It depends on the manufacturer, type of flame, degree of protection, heating temperature.

Making your own tools

A soldering iron is a necessary tool, but it is not always available. Sometimes you are surprised by its price, or you don’t want to buy it because of the small amount of work.

You can save money and make the tool yourself. It’s good to get advice and recommendations from experts so that the question of how to make a soldering iron with your own hands is not difficult.

The simplest option is to make a soldering iron using a gas lighter. To work you need to prepare:

• lighter;
• thin copper wire;
• a piece of copper wire 4 mm thick;
• file;
• pliers.

It is better to use a lighter in a metal case so that it heats up less. The plastic lighter begins to heat up after just 15 minutes. It is better to use a strong lighter that will burn for a long time and not burn your hands.

Do not buy a cheap product, but use a windy lighter to work against it. It has a high flame temperature, which significantly increases its efficiency. You need to make a sting out of thick wire. The wire can be thicker than 4 mm, but in this case, it will heat up for a longer time.

Bend the wire using pliers. One end of it needs to be wrapped to attach it to the lighter, and the other should be sharpened with a file or emery.

Then we secure the tip to the lighter with a thin wire, which we wrap around the body. It is necessary to make several turns so that the fixation is reliable and it is convenient to work.

The gas soldering iron is ready, and you can check its functionality. With this soldering iron you can solder several wires if you urgently need to do the work but don’t have the tool. After finishing the work, you can disassemble it.

Watch a video about making a mini soldering iron from a lighter.

In a similar way, you can make your own mobile mini-device based on a gas burner. This device is self-contained and does not require a power supply. The disadvantage is the need to replenish gas reserves.

You can make a stand-alone tool from a lighter in another way. The basis of the product will be:

• lighter;
• screw;
• screw clamp;
• copper sting;
• bicycle spokes.

The technology of work is simple. At the end of the tip, a thread is cut to fit the size of the nut, and 3 holes are drilled in the side faces, in which an M3 thread is cut. Drilling and tapping are best done with a brass or bronze nut.

Gas soldering iron and safety precautions during operation

There is an opinion that gas tools are explosive. This statement can be refuted provided that safety precautions are followed during work. One of the requirements: the burner flame must not be directed towards flammable materials and objects that can quickly ignite. If there is a gas leak, you must thoroughly ventilate the room where the work was carried out.

Carefully studying the instructions that come with the device will help you work safely with gas equipment and extend the service life of the soldering iron. It must indicate the type of gas that this device uses (butane or propane). In many cases, soldering irons are refilled using regular refill cans for household lighters.

A gas soldering iron is a universal compact device used to create permanent connections of various parts. The device is used in places where it is not possible to connect to the electrical network. Radio amateurs also resort to his help; we solder radio elements from boards. When carrying out plumbing and paint work, a gas apparatus is a reliable assistant. The device heats pipes and threaded connections, solders large structural elements using refractory solders, and softens paint coatings that need to be replaced.