Have you seen this??!!

[Hell-Fire]

I wonder if this thing is the real deal.

Reaches 500F in 1 second...whoa.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/pcmods/cables/69d3/

[pduan87]

Why do I seriously doubt that?!

[STEvil]

link be busted, what was it?!

[T07N]

Little penlike soldering iron that uses batery.

[STEvil]

uh-huh..

[Ragnarok]

cools to the touch in 1-5 seconds so you can put it away – without any waiting.

more bull than hardocp/thg..

[MaZeR]

One of the links mentions a patent number

"Generally described, the present invention provides a soldering iron, with a graphite tip having two separate halves that are electrically isolated from one another. The tip halves are each electrically connected to the opposite sides of an electrical power source. When both halves of the tip are applied to an electrically conductive material, such as the material to be soldered, an electrical circuit between the tip halves and electrical power source is completed. The halves of the tip are constructed from material having high electrical resistivity and low thermal conductivity. Therefore, the tip can reach operating temperatures quickly. When the tip is removed from the joint, the electrical circuit is broken and the tip material quickly cools."

I think I'll keep my plain old mains powered Weller.

[Stang_Man]

i wont trust something like that.

i'll stick with my 14 dollar Radio Shack iron.

[Hell-Fire]

Originally posted by Stang_Man
i wont trust something like that.

i'll stick with my 14 dollar Radio Shack iron.

Well, I am with you on that until a solid review comes out from a trusted source.

[Monarch]

Maybe I should buy it just to make fun of it...there is probobl a wierd catch to it.

[hyem]

nope... I don't belive it...

[Holst]

I dont see why your all so sceptical,

It says for use on 18-24awg wire (pretty small)

But I agree that its use may be somewhat limited.

I do the vast majority of my very small PCB soldering with a small battery operated iron.

[STEvil]

We are skeptical because it requires the use of the material to be soldered to complete the circuit.

Its an arc welder, for all intensive purposes in other words.

"Generally described, the present invention provides a soldering iron, with a graphite tip having two separate halves that are electrically isolated from one another. The tip halves are each electrically connected to the opposite sides of an electrical power source. When both halves of the tip are applied to an electrically conductive material, such as the material to be soldered, an electrical circuit between the tip halves and electrical power source is completed. The halves of the tip are constructed from material having high electrical resistivity and low thermal conductivity. Therefore, the tip can reach operating temperatures quickly. When the tip is removed from the joint, the electrical circuit is broken and the tip material quickly cools."

[Chipzfriar]

Ok, been reading a lot of threads on mods, and am _Thinking_ of maybe attempting a mod or 2, sometime down the road, after my level of confidence is Much Higher, that is, after I've destroyed some old PCBs and an old video/network card or 2. So, if money was no object, what would the consensous be of the best soldering iron to do these mods with? And, STEvil, thanks, but I don't think I'll be going with 350 watt iron, I have one, and it works well for heavy soldering, but ain't gonna even Think about bringing it anywhere near a PCB

[STEvil]

hehe

[DriveEuro]

You guys realize it's only $20. I don't see why you wouldn't give it a shot. It's as cheap as taking a girl out to eat.

[Tedinde]

I ordered one you cheapskates!!!! I've probably got 15 soldering irons. One more wont hurt. Most of the time i reach for my Radio shack butane one anyway.

[Chipzfriar]

Well, just saw another thread about soldering irons, and I think I may have found my answer. It's the Weller WSL2, think it could probably solder a trace on a spiders butt, but them, at $400, it had better be able to...

[Hell-Fire]

Originally posted by Tedinde
I ordered one you cheapskates!!!! I've probably got 15 soldering irons. One more wont hurt. Most of the time i reach for my Radio shack butane one anyway.

Let us know how this thing works out man....should be interesting.

[STEvil]

<3 Butane.

[DaveX]

Originally posted by Tedinde
I ordered one you cheapskates!!!! I've probably got 15 soldering irons. One more wont hurt. Most of the time i reach for my Radio shack butane one anyway.

Then it won't hurt to order me one?

[Chipzfriar]

OK, since we're talking Mod Tools, can I get some opinions on if a Fluke 189 True RMS would be a good meter to get? If so, what would be some good options to get with it? Here's a link to their page: http://www.fluke.com/products/orderi...ID=6&FID=26863 As always, thanks

[Ragnarok]

flue is the best u can get, but then if u r a beginner, just a cheapo MM will do... it will do everything u need

[Holst]

The 189 is a good meter, but overkill for most people.

However the ability to read Ktype thermocouples may come in handy

I have a 75III that I use for day to day, however I also use a small pocket meter that only cost me £15.. works fine for continuity and volt mods.

[Chipzfriar]

Prob going to be getting it, did you happen to take a look at the link, with the options available to it?
Any suggestions, as this would be the 1st meter I have bought, and would like to get what I need now, stock up, so to speak, so I have what I need and not have to buy more later (GF/$ issues, if you know what I mean...)

Thanks!