Comments on: Ripped off: The “ColdHeat” soldering tool. http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/ an unusual story of a boy and his truck Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:58:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Ric Barline http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-495 Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:30:34 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-495 I just bought one of these and ran into a problem where it would not heat enough to melt solder. After spending some time diagnosing the problem, I determined that the batteries I was using were not up to snuff. I went out and bought 4 new batteries and instaleed them. To my delight, it now seems to ooperate as advertised. I just bought one of these and ran into a problem where it would not heat enough to melt solder. After spending some time diagnosing the problem, I determined that the batteries I was using were not up to snuff. I went out and bought 4 new batteries and instaleed them. To my delight, it now seems to ooperate as advertised.

]]> by: Matt http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-179 Sun, 03 Sep 2006 17:13:12 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-179 I got one for christmas last year. I have used it a lot on my electric airplane. I soldered together a Li-ion battery charger for my battery packs. To expect 4 AA batterys to heat anything larger than 14 guage wire is silly. I did go through a tip really fast. With brand new batteryies I was able to solder one 10 guage eyelet to a wire. But it took forever and I was only able to do one. The parts are able to hold more heat than the "iron" can provide. For tiny quick jobs it is un-beatable. Literally takes no prep time. I can build and put leads on a new battery pack for the plane in under a minute. It takes more time to shrink wrap the pack than build it. I got one for christmas last year. I have used it a lot on my electric airplane. I soldered together a Li-ion battery charger for my battery packs. To expect 4 AA batterys to heat anything larger than 14 guage wire is silly. I did go through a tip really fast. With brand new batteryies I was able to solder one 10 guage eyelet to a wire. But it took forever and I was only able to do one. The parts are able to hold more heat than the “iron” can provide. For tiny quick jobs it is un-beatable. Literally takes no prep time. I can build and put leads on a new battery pack for the plane in under a minute. It takes more time to shrink wrap the pack than build it.

]]> by: R. D. Childers http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-47 Thu, 09 Mar 2006 18:45:17 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-47 I have been saved from the temptation. I have been saved from the temptation.

]]> by: Chris http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-42 Mon, 20 Feb 2006 02:16:25 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-42 Thanks for the comments guys. I think you've illustrated another valid point. Where the tool was used successfully (the battery clips) was on a small portable part, easily moved to a workbench where you can use your real soldering iron. The ColdHeat's instant heat is nice no matter where you are, but my fairly low-budget Weller solder station reaches the selected temperature in seconds, less time than it takes me to set myself up. I prefer it versus any portable iron for sit-down work, for its high power, needlepoint precision, temperature control and light handling weight. Where it fails is in situations like Jeff's and mine where you really want a portable tool - outside, away from the bench, maybe in awkward positions, and on workpieces (like dangling automotive wires) that might not hold still or be cooperative enough to allow you to firmly position both electrodes just so. I was also thinking about crushing mine or throwing it, and though I was livid, I couldn't either. I may get another tip for it and try to get used to recognizing what it's good for, but I can more easily imagine, in those situations where I need a portable iron, just grabbing the butane iron because I know it will actually work, whether on fine 22-gauge or heavy four gauge. Thanks for the comments guys. I think you’ve illustrated another valid point.

Where the tool was used successfully (the battery clips) was on a small portable part, easily moved to a workbench where you can use your real soldering iron. The ColdHeat’s instant heat is nice no matter where you are, but my fairly low-budget Weller solder station reaches the selected temperature in seconds, less time than it takes me to set myself up. I prefer it versus any portable iron for sit-down work, for its high power, needlepoint precision, temperature control and light handling weight.

Where it fails is in situations like Jeff’s and mine where you really want a portable tool - outside, away from the bench, maybe in awkward positions, and on workpieces (like dangling automotive wires) that might not hold still or be cooperative enough to allow you to firmly position both electrodes just so.

I was also thinking about crushing mine or throwing it, and though I was livid, I couldn’t either. I may get another tip for it and try to get used to recognizing what it’s good for, but I can more easily imagine, in those situations where I need a portable iron, just grabbing the butane iron because I know it will actually work, whether on fine 22-gauge or heavy four gauge.

]]> by: Jeff http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-39 Sun, 19 Feb 2006 15:18:03 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-39 I really wish I'd seen this a few months ago before I burned my money. I bought mine at Harbor Freight and saved a couple bucks. None the less, it was still a waste of $16. I bought it because I wanted to do some minor wiring inside my E-10. After fighting with it for over an hour, I finally gave up. My first thought was to toss it across the garage, but I just couldn't bring myself to not only waste $16 on the tool, but then actually break it as well... On PURPOSE! I have no real use for this thing as far as I can tell. I can't figure anyone that would. Jeff I really wish I’d seen this a few months ago before I burned my money. I bought mine at Harbor Freight and saved a couple bucks. None the less, it was still a waste of $16.

I bought it because I wanted to do some minor wiring inside my E-10. After fighting with it for over an hour, I finally gave up. My first thought was to toss it across the garage, but I just couldn’t bring myself to not only waste $16 on the tool, but then actually break it as well… On PURPOSE!

I have no real use for this thing as far as I can tell. I can’t figure anyone that would.

Jeff

]]> by: George Hamstra http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-38 Thu, 16 Feb 2006 17:18:48 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-38 Chris, I bought one of these for myself as a Christmas present. I figured for $20 how could you go bad. On Christmas day my daughters boyfriend indicated that the two remote entry keychains had stopped working, and they wanted $70.00 each for replacements (not bad as I was quoted almost $300 for the one for my car...). I decided to try and fix it with my new toy. I took it apart and discovered the battery contacts were broken in half. A quick stab at it with the "ColdHeat" should fix it... And, it did! He was amazed (as was I!) and I used the same technique to fix his 2nd key chain! WOW! It paid for itself on the first use! I then used it a week later to fix something else (minor), and to "tin" a couple of wires, but, the bottom line is that it worked for me and save me $000's! However, I would never consider using this for "serious" work. Soldering jewelry might be the niche for this product. Also, I've found that I get much better with it as time progresses. Would I recommend it? I don't know - seems like for tinning small wires it worked well, and when I'm on a ladder it is certainly easier to use than a corded soldering iron. It is NOT for everyone and definately not for SERIOUS applications! Enjoy, George (the only success story in history.....) Chris,
I bought one of these for myself as a Christmas present. I figured for $20 how could you go bad. On Christmas day my daughters boyfriend indicated that the two remote entry keychains had stopped working, and they wanted $70.00 each for replacements (not bad as I was quoted almost $300 for the one for my car…).

I decided to try and fix it with my new toy. I took it apart and discovered the battery contacts were broken in half. A quick stab at it with the “ColdHeat” should fix it… And, it did! He was amazed (as was I!) and I used the same technique to fix his 2nd key chain! WOW! It paid for itself on the first use! I then used it a week later to fix something else (minor), and to “tin” a couple of wires, but, the bottom line is that it worked for me and save me $000’s!

However, I would never consider using this for “serious” work. Soldering jewelry might be the niche for this product. Also, I’ve found that I get much better with it as time progresses. Would I recommend it? I don’t know - seems like for tinning small wires it worked well, and when I’m on a ladder it is certainly easier to use than a corded soldering iron.

It is NOT for everyone and definately not for SERIOUS applications!

Enjoy,

George
(the only success story in history…..)

]]> by: Chris http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-37 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 05:58:01 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-37 Thanks for the visit and the comments, Dave. I honestly should take it back; maybe I can still fish the packaging out of the trash. (The receipt is probably another matter). I'm usually really a pretty non-confrontational guy, but this really is a case where retailers need to hear directly that this is not a situation they should be inflicting upon their unsuspecting customers. I wish I'd had the presence of mind to think of this a couple nights ago. I'm almost always leery of stuff that says "as seen on TV" on the packaging as this is so obviously an almost universal mark of cheap, shoddy or snake-oil merchandise that it shows poor sense on the part of the manufacturer to associate their products with the other trash that bears this mark. I wish I'd been thinking of that, too. Thanks for the visit and the comments, Dave. I honestly should take it back; maybe I can still fish the packaging out of the trash. (The receipt is probably another matter). I’m usually really a pretty non-confrontational guy, but this really is a case where retailers need to hear directly that this is not a situation they should be inflicting upon their unsuspecting customers.

I wish I’d had the presence of mind to think of this a couple nights ago.

I’m almost always leery of stuff that says “as seen on TV” on the packaging as this is so obviously an almost universal mark of cheap, shoddy or snake-oil merchandise that it shows poor sense on the part of the manufacturer to associate their products with the other trash that bears this mark. I wish I’d been thinking of that, too.

]]> by: Dave http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-36 Tue, 14 Feb 2006 05:33:11 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-36 Hi Chris, I also bought one of these supremely crappy toys at Home Depot, but before opening it I did some online research. There were so many unhappy customers that I quickly returned it to the store and got my money back. Hope you do, too. -Dave Hi Chris,

I also bought one of these supremely crappy toys at Home Depot, but before opening it I did some online research. There were so many unhappy customers that I quickly returned it to the store and got my money back.

Hope you do, too.

-Dave

]]> by: Scott http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-35 Sun, 12 Feb 2006 12:31:05 +0000 http://www.ohmbre.org/blog/2006/02/12/ripped-off-the-coldheat-soldering-tool/#comment-35 Chris, Thanks for exposing this fraud for the rest of us. I've been tempted to buy one many times, and my own butane soldering iron has been leaking (near the resevoir, we'll note :) ) and I was thinking about replacing it soon. I now know what *not* to replace it with. Scott Chris,

Thanks for exposing this fraud for the rest of us. I’ve been tempted to buy one many times, and my own butane soldering iron has been leaking (near the resevoir, we’ll note :) ) and I was thinking about replacing it soon.

I now know what *not* to replace it with.

Scott

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