One Response to “Weller ML500MP Butane Mini Soldering Iron with Piezo Ignition, refillable”

1. Myee
   May 10th, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
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   This review is from: Weller ML500MP Butane Mini Soldering Iron with Piezo Ignition, refillable (Tools & Hardware)

   I’ve been shopping for butane soldering iron, and this thing seemed terrific. However it is not without some issues. Let me summarize:

   Pros:
   - Very small. It is really portable and easily fits anywhere.
   - no wires and no location limitation.
   - Included cap protects the tip when stored in toolboxes among other messy places. Snaps on tightly. (it’s clear acrylic instead of white as shown in photo)
   - Piezo ignition – no need for a lighter to light up the torch! I wonder why others haven’t been doing the same. It make so much sense.
   - It stands up on its own, instead of requiring a stand or the usual horizontal placement of other butane irons that ends up damaging the surface with heat.
   - Refillable via port at the bottom
   - Heats up quickly, with a good mesh of metal heating elements to aid in combustion. It is quite hot enough for soldering.
   - Runs for a fairly long time.
   - Relatively cheap, without feeling cheap.

   Cons:
   - The tip came a bit oxidized already as solder won’t stick even after some flux cleaning with solder, which leads to the next problem:
   - The tip is relatively hard to find. Only Weller seem to be supplying this 1.6mm size? With mail order shipping it ain’t cheap.
   - Torch doesn’t work consistently. With the solder tip removed, the metal mesh elements start a combustion on its own, killing the blue flame and turning red with heat. Using the piezo igniter brings the blue flame back sometimes. I suspect it may be the butane purity/pressure that causes this problem instead of the unit itself, however.
   - I don’t know if it has something to do with the butane quality (ronson), but there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the heat output or flame with the butane adjustment. It is fully blasting at the lowest setting and maybe sputters a bit at the highest.
   - There’s no window to see butane level, unlike claimed in the description here. I had no idea where the recommended 3/4 full is.

   It’s a great tool, but the solder iron is only as good as its tip. The weird non-binding oxidized tip kinda pooped on the package. With the torch function somewhat unreliable among other missing claims (e.g. no butane window), it does leave a bit of a bad taste in the mouth. However as a solder iron only, and if you have access to replacement tips, it does work well in a very portable and thoughtful package.

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