And we also had these as well:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/cold-heat.htm

I think I have one somewhere, not sure since I don't remember ever using it. Interesting idea, but I don't think it was very practical. 

Blair

On Fri, 5 Apr 2013 18:11:31 +0100, Mike Fenner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I have a couple of these, very handy for working on my old car and odd jobs.
>The problem with them for anything serious is that the tip temperature is
>not well controlled. 
>1) The heat output from the catalytic combustion heater is not calibrated;
>it can be set to anything. Probability is that it will end up on max,
>because when things don't work in soldering that's what people do.
>2) the overall design is geared to a quick warm up, so there is little
>thermal mass, this will allow big temperature variation with more than one
>joint or if the work requires  long heat time because of its own thermal
>mass.
>3) The bit is a screw on type and this gives poor thermal coupling
>especially after some period of use.
>The reason I have two, is that the first one had these problems in spades,
>the second I paid a lot more for. It is better, so I can solder up my old
>car wiring and stuff like that just fine. For circuit board work they make
>me nervous.
>Cordless irons tend also to go for a high temp, low mass, quick warm
>approach. 
>Need to think in terms not just of temperature but the amount of heat
>available. A lot of heat is not the same as a high temperature.
>
>So overall it means you would be putting a high premium on operator skill.
>IT would be worth going to some trouble to avoid them. 
>For example low voltage irons that could run from a car battery.
>Alternatively an inverter so you could use a regular iron.
>Example: for my bush camping trips I just have a small inverter which
>generates 140W mains output. It�s the size of a small apple and plugs in to
>car socket and cost about 50USD. Probably less in USA. Saves buying a
>separate charger for each piece of kit and doesn't become obsolete if I up
>grade anything.
>So one of those with a mains extension cord could do it I think.
>
>Regards
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gregg Owens
>Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 3:38 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: [TN] Butane Soldering Irons
>
>Since we hand solder outside of the normal manufacturing floor, our
>technicians are requesting to use a butane soldering iron. I have no
>previous experience with this type of soldering iron. With a temperature
>setting of 1076�F it seems rather high and potentially damaging to resulting
>solder connection, insulation, people, etc.
>
>http://www.apexhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=0371030609
>76
>
>Any thoughts from experience would be most appreciated.
>
>Gregg
>
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