OT(ish): Flame Master from Maplin

What a neat thing.

I bought one today because I needed to make a battery for something and
oh-my-gosh, what a nifty tool.

To be honest, I only used the soldering iron but it's got (butane
powered) soldering iron, HT flame torch, hot cutting knife, hot air
blower (presumably for that shrink wrap type stuff that goes round
electrics) and a "wide area flame torch".

Mega! Had loads of fun with it today and comes with all the bits (and
more besides) you need[1]

Not bad for something that was less than 20 quid!

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=3887&doy=17m8 if you're
interested[2]

[1] Apart from butane, but being a smoker I've got loads of that
[2] Of course you are.

 

Been using them for ages. Be aware that the catalytic soldering heads don't
have a long life, especially if you use them on 'high'.

Damned good though.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Catman amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Just a "hiss" seemed to be enough and I had to fill it up again.

What's a long life as you put it? About the same as a mantle in a gas
lamp?

Sure is, after some thought I might even wire my bike properly now

 

Dunno, I've never used a gas lamp. I'm lucky if mine last maybe 2-3 hours
total use. I do tend to have them on pretty high since I use them to
solder automotive cables which can be a bit thick.

I do also tend to chuck them in the tool box, which dunt do them any good

*ding*

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I wouldn't mind that, but I've already got a gas soldering iron and a
blow torch.

What I wouldn't mind is an oxy propane brazing kit for that much.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Catman amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Blimey, not long then. They better have replacements. I've put off
getting a soldering iron for yonks but this thing is just the ticket. I
would've put it off again today but I just *had* to have one and for an
extra fiver you get the convenience of being portable.

Yep.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Bear amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Because you're a pervert

I do sometimes sit on my sofa you know but the gas blower in question
would have no problem re-sculpting foam or leather and horsehair.

 

I noticed that some of the gas soldering irons use a sort of wool like
element, and some use a more solid grid type element. My old one had the
former element, my new one has the latter type, and has put up with
being thrown into my tool box for quite some time so far.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Muck amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

It says "good for brazing" or something like that in the destructions

 

Not seen one like that. The wool type is platinised asbestos, AIUI and is
pretty delicate.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

My one is made by iroda, and is called a solderpro 50. Maplin sell it
for about £10. I bought it after spotting that other one, with the
fragile element.

 

Good for brazing very small things indeed.

 

Noted, ta.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Muck amazed us all with this pearl of wisdom:

Like copper wire carburetor gaskets

 

It was a hollow copper gasket, and that.. I soldered.

 

Catman came up with the following;:

Yup.

We race Radio Control Model Cars and I use one of these all the time ... but
we do away with the catalyst 'wool' and remove the bridge bit inside [1] so
that the flame burns directly onto the back of the bit. Makes for a much
hotter bit and a better join, we find.

[1] very small drill in a dremel and a small tungsten carbide burr to
'carve' it away.