Thanks:

My wife and daughter got one Saturday before I had all of the information.
Will take care on circuit boards.

73
Bob


----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin McCormick" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2005 10:14 AM
Subject: Re: Quick Cooling Soldering Iron


>         I haven't actually tried one of those but I was interested
> also so I asked about them on the PIC microcontroller list as an
> off-topic message.  I got two replies from people who have them and,
> from what I received, my advice is to not get too excited.
>
>         The tip is a two-piece device with a gap between the two
> poles.  The solder or the work one is soldering is supposed to short
> out the space between the two poles where the heat forms between the
> work or solder and the tip.  One guy told me that the gap is about a
> tenth of an inch such that it wouldn't be good for soldering
> electronic components on a circuit board.
>
>         In other words, they work but only in certain types of
> situations.  I was hoping to replace my Wahl cordless soldering irons
> which work fine, but use nicads that have to be replaced every few
> years when they get to where they won't hold a charge.
>
>         The other drawback to the new soldering tool is that you might
> accidentally introduce 6 volts in to the circuit if one got one pole
> of the tip against some part of that circuit and the other pole
> against some other part instead of creating the short as desired.
> That is more than enough voltage to fry most IC's if misapplied so all
> in all, I was glad to have been told all these things.  The soldering
> tool doesn't cost much, but if it isn't going to work for the purpose
> I would have bought it for, it is a waste of money.
>
> Bob Martin writes:
> >Has anyone had experience with Radio Shack's quick cooling soldering
iron?
>