How To Use Butane Soldering Iron

A butane soldering iron is one of the most flexible and user-friendly items you can add to your workshop. These remarkable pen-shaped devices may be packed in a backpack for on-the-go repairs and fit in the palm of your hand.

They can form extremely strong connections between electrical wires and other materials. A butane soldering iron is a multi-purpose tool that can cut wires, bind materials, and solder.

Being portable, you may think they lack compared to corded soldering irons; however, these devices can match any soldering purpose you may have. However, they do work differently from an electric soldering iron. In our guide, you can find how to pick a butane soldering tool and basic butane pencil torch instructions.

Uses of Butane Soldering Iron

By the end, you’ll be able to pick the right portable soldering iron and know how to use a butane soldering iron for jewelry making or fixing a broken circuit board. (Read Guide to Cleaning Battery Terminals Without Disconnecting)

How Butane Soldering Iron Works?

The hot knife tip of the soldering iron reaches temperatures of around 800 F.

Some portable soldering irons allow you to change the temperature to meet your needs. As the name implies, the butane iron uses butane to reach high temperatures.

It heats things like pads, PCBs, metal, and wires and quickly melts the solder. The solder is then applied, and the butane iron is used to join the two pieces.

When choosing a soldering iron, there are a few things to consider.

  • Wattage
  • Temperature Control
  • Size and shape of the soldering iron tips

Wattage

The wattage of a butane soldering iron is an essential factor to consider. Most soldering irons used for electronic repairs have wattages ranging from 20 to 60 with 50 watts of power, being sufficient for soldering circuit boards or modest electrical projects.

If your soldering iron has a higher wattage, you’ll be able to finish more jobs with it. In addition, the higher the wattage of the soldering iron, the longer the soldering tip can keep heat, allowing the solder to produce a smooth and solid bond.

Temperature Control

Temperature control is critical for any soldering iron since it can damage an entire soldering process if it is not done correctly. Devices should be ESD Safe, so you know you have some protection.

With this control, the iron reaches a sufficient temperature to complete a task, and the temperature is maintained for the period of use. In addition, you’ll need an iron that offers a longer runtime.

A short runtime means the device can take an age to get up to temperature, and once it’s hot, the built quality may not be high enough to prevent you from burning your fingers.

Tip Size and Shape

A butane soldering iron should be adaptable enough to be used in various situations. As a result, you’ll need to use interchangeable and removable soldering tips for such devices. In addition, it is recommended that you use tips from the same manufacturer so that compatibility concerns are avoided. (Read Coolant Reservoir Empty But Radiator Full – What To Do)

Other factors can include:

Length of Duration: Runtimes vary from 10 minutes to 2 hours. You need one that lasts long enough to complete your tasks. One-hour runtime on a full tank should cover most soldering jobs you can carry out.

Size: You need an iron that fits in the hand, too large, and it can be cumbersome, and too small means it may have a small butane gas tank.

Body: The body needs to be durable and offer safety. It will be holding a small pressurized tank and red hot soldering tips, both of which can cause harm.

A Stand: A stand can be vital as you need somewhere to put the hot iron.
Cordless: Using butane as the heating fuel means your device will be cordless. It is this that makes them an effective portable soldering iron.

Brand: You can find many imported models of butane irons that offer a low price. However, you can get branded items that offer more in every department with just a small extra cost.

Safety: Pick a butane soldering iron that is EDS-Safe

Uses Of A Butane Soldering Iron

There are several uses of Butane Soldering iron. Some of them include:-

Device Installation

Are you putting together a piece of equipment or an appliance, such as an air conditioner? If that’s the case, a Butane soldering iron may be able to help you.

Butane Soldering Iron for Repair

Repair

Is there a problem with your device? If this is the case, you will require a soldering tool, which will assist you in making repairs of various sizes.

Electronics Assembly

Putting electronics together may be a highly time-consuming process. But with the correct soldering iron, your work will be a breeze.

Sheet Metal Soldering

With the help of a Butane Soldering Iron, sheet metal soldering is simple.

Welding Plastic

A soldering iron can be used for plastic welding and a variety of other purposes.

Pyrography

The best butane soldering iron can help your artistic flare when making art from burn marks in wood.

How a Butane Soldering Iron Works?

Here, you can see how to light a butane soldering iron and a few other tips on their use.

Lighting Your Butane Soldering Iron

Lighting Butane soldering iron

The instructions below a generic as some models can differ in operation.

  • You will find an on and off switch.
  • Besides this, there may be a lever to control fuel flow and gas supply and thus to raise or lower the tip temperature.
  • You could also have a lever for the ignition of your butane iron.

Fueling Butane Soldering Iron

To begin, you’ll have to fuel your soldering iron. Butane fuel is available for purchase at the hardware store.

  • Fill the canister with fuel by pouring it into the refill port at the bottom. To use the refill tip, upend the gasoline canister into the cavity and squeeze. When some fuel bubbles to the top, you’ll know it’s full.
  • It’s vital to prevent overfilling the soldering iron. You’ll make it spit open flame everywhere, which could be hazardous.
  • When you’ve finished fueling, don’t ignite your iron right away. You must wait for the gas to stabilize before using it.

Lighting Your Soldering Iron

  1. From the off position, turn the regulator on. You will select levels based on the amount of heat you desire.
  2. To light your soldering iron, use the igniting lever. To prevent accidental ignition, certain irons incorporate safety locks. Remember to release the safety lock while holding down the ignition button.
  3. When the soldering iron is in the middle position, you can light it. Remember that butane soldering irons heat up fast and should be hot enough to solder in approximately 20 seconds.
  4. Use the adjustable temperature function for the task you are doing
  5. Return the heating lever to the down position to turn it off.
  6. If you want to remove the tip before storing it, wait at least 2 minutes until it is cool before touching the hot tip.
  7. When not in use, keep your soldering tool on the stand.

Other Uses For a Butane Soldering Tool

Use Butane Soldering Iron as Hot Blower

Your butane soldering iron can also be used as a hot blower. To ignite and operate your hot blower, disconnect the soldering tip and follow the methods we’ve detailed above.

Use Butane Soldering Iron as Pencil Torch

Butane soldering irons are versatile, and some models can double up as an emergency torch. Position the metal sleeve instead of the soldering tip, and the torch will be lit using igniting procedures above. (Learn How To Change Dremel Bit)

Best Butane Soldering Irons

Sample of Best Butane Soldering Irons

Here’s a quick overview of some of the best cordless soldering irons you can find.

Remember that electricity isn’t required to power these devices.

1. Weller P2KC Soldering Iron Kit

  • With push-button ease and convenience,
  • Piezo ignition in a lightweight body.
  • Small, cordless butane soldering and hot air tool.
  • Fast heat-up for great productivity; melts solder in under 40 seconds; gas capacity enables up to 1 hour of continuous use; sufficient for most operations.
  • Refills in about 20 seconds, allowing you to keep working. An automatic cut-off switch is activated for safety when the cap is changed.
  • A carrying case and five tips for various projects are included with the soldering iron.
  • With the PPT12 flame tip, you can even use it as a mini torch.
  • It’s also simple to store the tool because it comes with a heat-resistant, protective lid that
  • keeps your other tools secure.

2. Master Appliance Ultratorch Soldering Iron

  • Soldering tips are copper rather than oxygen, with thick iron and chrome coating.
  • This heat tool can remove surface mount components, melt solder and desolder.
  • Safely shrink tubing and specialty connectors, repair vinyl, spot dry, cut materials, and more.
  • Power is equivalent to a 20-80 watt electric iron.
  • It’s cordless, light, and portable. With an adjustable temperature lever and a 2-hour
  • runtime on a full tank, it’s ready to use in 30 seconds.

3. Portasol Butane Soldering Iron

  • Original cordless flint ignition with 2.4mm Chisel Tip.
  • Forty minutes of continuous use at 50 watts equivalent (fixed temperature).
  • Gas tanks that have been ultrasonically welded prevent gas from leaking when they are hit, exposed to UV light, or exposed to extreme heat and cold.
  • The Portasol Butane Soldering Iron is a lightweight and portable instrument ideal for minor projects for electricians on a budget.
  • Although only one tip is included with this soldering iron, it is simple to change. In addition, the unique tip system coupled with a removable heater lowers the cost of spare tips.

4. Iso-Tip Butane Soldering Iron

  • A power range of 30-125 watts is equivalent.
  • It can be used anywhere, is cordless, simple, and safe heating operation, and comes with a blow torch tip suitable for wood burning and other tasks.
  • After 15 seconds of ignition, the device is ready to use.
  • The tank will carry enough butane gas fuel to run for 120 minutes.
  • The soldering iron heats in just 15 seconds and has a 120-minute runtime.
  • The soldering temperature ranges from 480 to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and the torch function burns at 2,400 degrees.
  • The device comes with a protective cap to keep soldering tips and sensitive components safe.
  • A one-year guarantee is included with the quality Iso-Pro versatile tool.

5. Dremel VersaTip Butane Torch

  • Wood burning, pyrography, soldering, shrinking, cutting, heating, and other hobby projects are all possible with this cordless butane soldering torch.
  • There’s no need for an independent ignition tool for an easy start-up as electronic ignition is built-in with a safety lock.
  • A maximum temperature of 2192 degrees with a variable temperature control range. You can also change the temperature and the size of the torch flame.
  • This soldering iron features Piezo ignition and flame lock-on for hands-free operations.
  • The Dremel VersaTip tool is of premium quality and is among the best butane soldering iron options you can find.

6. POWER PROBE Butane Soldering Set

  • You get all the essential accessories: a hot point and knife.
  • Included are a supply of rosin solder, a gas soldering tip, a wrench set, and a heat shrink shield with a carrying case.
  • It features electronic ignition and flame adjustment where the flame length reaches 1.25 inches. Also, the runtime is up to two hours between refills.
  • It’s a 120-watt heat tool set with a torch function that can reach 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit and a soldering iron that can reach 950 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • The Power Probe butane soldering kit is a must-have for many tasks up to delicate circuit boards.

How To Use Butane Soldering Iron