Master Appliance Ultratorch UT-100Si-TC Professional Butane Powered Soldering Iron Kit, 3 in 1 tool with 5 tips

I have been using this model for 30 years. I wear them out about every 4 or 5 years, so I have bought quite a few. They never disappoint and work better than any other butane or electric unit I have tried, period. The one stipulation that is necessary to keep them working properly is do not use any other butane but the Master Appliance brand. Theirs is ultra filtered and it makes a difference in reliability. I know this because a used an over the counter brand and it didn't take long for the unit to start having problems.

I really like this torch. Great for situations were electric solder tool is not convenient. The only thing I found lacking was the effectiveness of the shrink tube heat attachment.

Awesome soldering iron. Used one at my friends shop to solder 4-6 cell lipo battery leads. It works so fast and makes life easy. Only negative part for me is I’m in hawaii so had a hard time finding and buying triple refined butane.

The tool itself looks well-built and solid. Now the cons: 1. The piesoelectric igniter FAILED after just 6 uses. Now the only way to "start" the thing is to "jump-start" it - remove the tip, light the gas with a lighter, carefully screw on the tip, make sure the flame is out (blow it out, if necessary). This way I managed to finish the soldering job I'd started, but this is obviously no way to operate this thing all the time. I live OCONUS so shipping it for iginiter replacement and back will cost just about as much as the unit itself. Very dissatisfied with this product. 1. The cutters and pliers don't look very tough; they are well-assembled and pretty handy, but the toughness of the steel may be lacking. They should be sufficient for small-gauge work, but I somehow feel wary when using them... Which I definitely do not when using my German NWS tools. 2. The box itself is total junk. You almost never get to open it without something falling out. 3. The manual is lacking. I don't do much soldering, and I can guess what to do with the iron, tips, and solder, but I had absolutely no idea what to do with the black plastic\yellow foamy thing - and it's not even listed anywhere (I later leaned it's the tip cleaner, as I'd suspected).

I have used master appliance ultra torch units for 15 years plus, I now have 5 of them between work and home. They last is all I can say, if you take care of them they will take care of you. I have tried many brands and have always ended up disappointed as I have found that no other manufacture can compare in quality. If you want a unit that heats up and stays hot, here it is and if you need more heat for larger wires simply install a larger tip and you can easly solder 14 gauge wire. I have soldered 12 guage wire with the large tip try that with a cheap corded soldering iron or other gas units on the market. Your going to spend some money but you buy it once and you don't have to keep replacing it nor do you have to carry some type of igniting source as you do most other gas units because this unit is self igniting.

This kit was recommended to me by my Coast Guard son in law, he has one in the radio shack on the cutter. Does everything I want it to do and the Fire chief borrowed it and was impressed. I ordered the butane with it and then saw the butane at the local hardware store.

Nice to have an iron that works without an electric outlet. It's also a nice touch that this includes everything you need to apply heat-shrink insulation. Maybe not the fastest iron I've used. It would likely be insufficient for larger wires. Was fairly slow on 14-gauge trailer wiring.

Top quality craftsmanship on the tool. I use these professionally and have always been satisfied with the performance. The SAME TOOL from Grainger is $30 more and only comes with the cap for the iron...nuff said