Many decades ago I used a rechargeable soldering iron that used a pair of beefy NiCd cells to power an electrically heated tip. It worked well at the time, but latterly had issues including intermittent operation of its switch.
Recently a company called Iso-tip contacted me and offered me one of their cordless soldering irons. I don't normally accept gifts like this, since I tend to tear things apart in my videos and want to avoid the awkward situation where I would be uncontrollably honest if I thought a product was crap. Before accepting their offer I Googled their product and immediately recognised it as a different version of the one I had used in the past.
So here it is. A full look inside and even a modification to the charger to allow it to run from a USB power supply.
The most notable thing about these irons is that they are very "retro". Their design has not changed since the 70's probably because it is a very simple, robust and serviceable unit.
If you want to check out these irons and the bewildering array of tips they make for them then the link is:-
http://www.iso-tip.com
Recently a company called Iso-tip contacted me and offered me one of their cordless soldering irons. I don't normally accept gifts like this, since I tend to tear things apart in my videos and want to avoid the awkward situation where I would be uncontrollably honest if I thought a product was crap. Before accepting their offer I Googled their product and immediately recognised it as a different version of the one I had used in the past.
So here it is. A full look inside and even a modification to the charger to allow it to run from a USB power supply.
The most notable thing about these irons is that they are very "retro". Their design has not changed since the 70's probably because it is a very simple, robust and serviceable unit.
If you want to check out these irons and the bewildering array of tips they make for them then the link is:-
http://www.iso-tip.com
Hi Clive, I did this mod and iron worked a treat, however all of a sudden the tip did not heat up at all , however the globe/light was bright as , I have the 2.2 v on the charger and at the tip contacts, I replaced the tip checked the fuse wire and got Battery World to replace rhe nicads, result was still the same , light came on but absolutely no heat at the tip ,
Any suggestions ?.
Cheers m8.
How much did you “charge” them for the mod? 😂
This video is now on Iso-tip's website.
I always used to run mine until it started to get weak, before I set it back in the charger. Even though I was a wee lad when I got mine, I was aware that the charger used a simple "dumb circuit" to charge the cells, and I was aware of the "memory effect" of Ni-Cad cells. Now today I don't know if I was doing myself any favors by treating the cells like that, or if I could have simply dropped it back into the charger every time is was done using it and no harm done. 🤷🏻
It seems rather rare to run across cordless devices these days with Ni-Cads in them anymore. I'm fairly certain my cordless shaver has one in it, and possibly one of my cordless screwdrivers.
The little exhaust hole in the butane irons would occasionally burn your finger if it was pointed in the right place, or melt a component if it got too close. I never got into those all that much because of those reasons.
I got one of these WAY back as a Christmas gift that I asked for. I used it for MANY years, and the only thing I had to do to keep it working well was to occasionally clean up the copper disk on the button and the contacts under it. This thing brings back many good memories.. 👍
Clive, it would have been great to see a 'blow by blow' build video of you making these mods. I have just bought one of these & want to modify ir.
Honestly, still surprising they're not using NiMH. My 2003 Honda Hybrid uses NiMH batteries, which are D-cell sized, and it can draw >100A from them.
There is a new model 8000 with LiFePO4 battery. Did you get your hands on it yet? 👀
In the early 80's, in the epic days of CB radio, I was modding them and adding channels by interfacing with the PLL. These IsoTips were so valuable to me and 30+ years later, they still are and I still have the same ones. The reason I was asking about the 21700 lithium is yesterday I had to change the power switch on my MFJ 993B antenna tuner and its in a BITCH of a tight place to get to. I reached for the iso tip and DEAD. DAMN NICADS !!!!!!!!!! I had to botch it in with the Weller WES51. I need my isotips to work every time damnit. These need to be lithium !
I have 2 of these from the 1980's. One is grey and one is orange. Im tired of the crappy NiCads going bad. Also one of the bases don't work anymore and the other one gets BLAZING hot while charging. Wondering if these can be modded to run on a 21700 lithium battery. it appears that the 21700 would fit perfectly in the shell.
I'm so glad I found this video! I'm totally buying one of these! Been looking at a fancier more expensive version but this is just my stride. Cheetah Clive. Much love