Customer Reviews

Solder-It (SODMJ300) Micro-Jet Torch with Extended Reach and Refillable Fuel Cell

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I found it impossible to light the torch with one hand, thanks to the patented child-resistant ignition system. The seller was kind enough to let me return it.

FYI, a very similar product obtainable in some outdoor stores is the "Soto Pocket Torch" - it is identical in functionality, including the use of common disposable cigarette lighters as a fuel source, but does not have the child-resistant feature.

No problems with it. Ignites on first try. Thumb switch is a bit awkward but torch can be locked on for extended use. The switch for locking the torch on is also the safety lock. It takes a bit of practice to get the knack of locking the torch on. You have to light the torch, then slowly release the button as you move the switch into the lock position. It takes 2 hands. But I prefer the way this safety lock works as opposed to others that you have to manipulate each time you want to use the torch. You can simply unlock it and leave it unlocked.

When I saw this tool and thought about ordering, several of my co-workers were also intrigued and so I purchased multiples. Everyone likes theirs and I like mine.

So lets look at the product shall we?

First: The disposable lighter
Not just any style disposable lighter works. The Scripto or Toaki lighers work. My Bic didn't, in fact the SODMJ300 broke the gas release tab on my bic. The torch DOES come with a refillable cartridge shapes like a Scripto lighter with the flint and wheel removed, so you don't necessarily have to have a disposable lighter ready to use it.

Second: While other reviews say that the torch requires two hands to work, I found that I could operate it quite well with just one hand and my hands are hardly large. I can just use my thumb to pull back and down on the tab on the back and it works!

Third: Despite the name being "Solder-It" It does not solder very well, and at 2400°F it was expected not to work well. The solder flux the tool calls for does not flow well, and the high temperature tends to do more damage to the wiring harness than I want. This is NOT a soldering iron. I just tried it because it claimed it could be, but on nothing I expected to actually use. DONT TRY SOLDERING WITH IT.

Finally: It is a butane torch. Thats what it is, don't expect anything else. It does one thing well, it puts out a hot torch flame like all torches. It just happens to use disposable lighters so that if you find yourself in a place where you can't use a refill cartridge, you can pop in a lighter (which you could find anywhere, even bumming one off a co-worker).

We have been using ours for everything from heating shrink-wrap over cables to de-icing our car doors so we can open them this winter. We have even done some "emergency welding" (though it does a poor job at it) that held up to when we could get it properly repaired. One co-worker even lights his cigars with it!

Thats why I gave it FOUR STARS. It only claims to be a butane torch that uses disposable lighters and thats exactly what it does. It doesn't work well enough to rate 5 stars, but this item has found its way into our travel-kit toolbox.

Hi,
The price tag on this thing is way over the top. It's just wind-proof lighter really. You get a cheap plastic lighter without the flint wheel and that's the "Refillable cartridge" This "refillable cartridge" goes into this cheap plastic housing unit that has some kind of fuser. It's worth $5 at best. $21.00 for this is a rip-off

DO NOT BUY

I bought this torch because it was placed right next to the plumbing solder etc. at Lowes. I bought, what I thought to be, appropriate solder, flux and a cleaning brush. I had 2 copper joints to solder at home. I cleaned the pipe well with 120 grit sandpaper, then steel wool and brushed the inside, then applied flux and twisted the fitting on. Well, after heating the joint for 10 minutes or so and the solder still wouldn't flow, just barely melting in globs away from the joint and on the ground, I read the package. Oh, I should've bought the special Solder-It brand low-temp solder paste. OK, I go and spend another $7 and try it again. The paste just seemed to cook away leaving a joint that I was able to easily twist off once cold. By the time I was at this point, the butane in the torch was empty.

This is my first time sweating copper pipes but I do have a lot of experience soldering electronics and this shouldn't be this hard. Instead of spending more for a new torch, I'm going to buy the Sharkbites fittings and try the sweating again later on future joints, when I'm not frustrated and have the appropriate torch.