Cold Heat vs. Traditional Soldering

[MidnightDreamer]

I need a really basic soldering kit for home to do some work with electronics. I've read online somewhere that it's recommended to go with a 15-30watt soldering iron. I'm not a complete newb at this ( still beginnerish tho), I'm familiar with the basic techniques, but I still want an iron that won't roast my components if I happen to hold it there too long or something.

I've seen the COLD HEAT soldering commercials, and it seems like it's pretty convienient and easy to use... But there's no wattage or anything indicated... It says it heats up instantly to some rediculously high temperature, but the way the show it in the commercial it seems to work like any other iron... Would I be ok with using this tool? Or should I go with something more conventional... I plan to be working with leds, basic wiring, and simple circuit boards. Thanks for the feedback.

[Xtrema]

Cold heat's tip is too thick for electronic components.

And most return it since you can't really precisely control the heat.

[Zero102]

Not to mention 99% of the time it doesn't heat up.
Cold Heat is crap.
Get a nice little Weller soldering station, with a temperature control knob. They are usually 30-40W, but you rarely turn them up all the way.
Tips are available everywhere for Weller irons, and you can get some nice small ones for fine electronics work.
I tried 2 different Cold Heat soldering irons, and hated them both. I went back to my butane powered one for portable work, and my electric one for home use.

[Unknown303]

Yeah cold heat doesn't work well. I just picked up a little 25w unit from CT for 20 dollars or something and solder up a whole printed circuit board and everything runs fine off of it.

[spike98]

x3 on cold heat blowing donkey balls

[Das_Amaretto]

Cold Heat is more of a kids training toy thing to introduce them to soldering, they're junk

[HiSpec]

cold heat is junk at is very finest

if u solder lots of small electronics components, go to active or MRO and get urself a nice soldering station by Weller.

[cidley69]

I'll make that a times mega that cold heat licks scrote

[soupey]

cold heat DOES NOT WORK, its got a fragile tip that sucks too...

go to princess auto, last time i was there there was a full soldering kit (gun, pen, desoldering, magnifying glass thing, resin, and some solder included) for ~$25