Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => Tools and Lubricants => Topic started by: gstours on November 21, 2022, 03:12:44 AM

Title: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: gstours on November 21, 2022, 03:12:44 AM
Several times I've needed to solder electrical connections on a boat when no shore power is available.  So here's another Alaskan fix.  The butane torch used here was used on the low heat setting and it had ample heat for #14 copper wire.   Heat up time is about 10 seconds.   Its not pretty, butt it's not for sale,  it's priceless in a pinch.
  The l shaped pc of #10 copper wire was inserted in the steel foodcan wrap, sliced ends help make a closure cone.  Totally portable, the thing is smoke free,  drilling holes first in the steel wrap allows it to have very good combustion.
 
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: Donnyboat on November 21, 2022, 12:04:39 PM
Hi Gary, very good point man, thanks for the info, keep well cheers Don.
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: oldmanjoe on November 21, 2022, 01:26:13 PM
 ;)  I like that !!!
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: pointbob on November 21, 2022, 03:05:44 PM
really cool gstours; you should do a little video. thanks
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: gstours on November 21, 2022, 06:13:13 PM
Thanks for the kind words,  its the small things you can do yourself that sometimes lift your spirits, giving you more skills, and these cant be taken away.   As for the vidio ?   Maybe just pictures od the step by step.   I actually made this out on the boat,  as its crudeness will attest.   Stay tinned! :cf
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: Rivverrat on November 21, 2022, 06:16:46 PM
 At first I was like thinking why not just the lighter ?  However your creation will deal with wind much better... Jeff
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: handi2 on November 21, 2022, 06:44:26 PM
I have rebuilt and re wired a number of boats from 37' to 17'.

One of them was a new charter boat that I also did the drafting for USCG approval.

Solder connections are not allowed on boats.  Only mechanical connections are allowed.

Now on my personal rebuild of a 17' Aquasport I did solder the battery connections after crimping them.
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: day0ne on November 21, 2022, 08:56:37 PM
Why not just use a butane soldering iron?

https://www.electronicshub.org/best-butane-soldering-iron/

https://www.walmart.com/c/ep/butane-soldering-kits
Title: Re: Totally portable soldering gun, Hack
Post by: farmer56 on December 14, 2022, 01:24:13 AM
farmer56 here looks like your a farmer...  make do with what you have ...  MY HAT GOES OFF TO YOU ..  just like my oldest son says  any tool is the right tool if its in your hand ..Dennis out