Flameless Soldering Tool Pipemaster Pro - Pipemaster Pro Soldering Tool 115W - Antex USA PP94Q50

It takes a little longer to heat the 1/2 inch copper pipe than does a torch, but that results in having a lot more control in making the solder joint look good. It doesn't completely clamp over the 1/2 inch pipe unless one squeezes hard, but to me this is minor. I used it to solder several joints in an area right next to wood joists and PVC pipe. Worked perfectly for my application. I could have used a torch with appropriate fire blankets, but this represented less risk. One thing I did find out, take a 1/2 inch coupling as an example; if the copper pipe fits into the coupling with 'slop' because one over heated it, this tool will not work well. It depends on good physical contact between the items one is trying to solder. These issues to me are no brainers, hence I think it does deserve 5 stars because it does what it was designed to do. It won't replace my torch, but it is an excellent addition to a toolbox, similar to a special wrench one may use on a special nut or bolt on a car.

THE UNIT DID NOT HEAT UP THE FITTINGS ENOUGH TO GET A SOLDER JOINT CONSISTENTLY

Very fast shipping. Looking forward to trying this unit out. Very well built!

Expectations met; it got real hot and allows me to sweat pipe in tight places with no flame. So it was worth the price... up front.This thing doesn't last, however. The plastic construction cannot handle the proximity to the irons. If holding it with the irons pointing down (like between floor joists) you could easily ruin the tool by melting it with the rising heat.Attention manufacturer; Garolite, use it, it is your friend!

price good, but not easy to handle. Will modify it when I have time.Safer than flammable. and cheaper than store I believe. So, 2 star.

Slow to heat but, gets the job done. Safer than flame.

I have been adding a kitchen and bathroom to my shop. It was difficult getting into places with a flame. I find the soldering iron takes quite awhile to heat up the connections. However, once it does the solders are very clean. I did a few samples and tested the solder flow, seems to work as well as anything else. For tight areas where it is hard to get a flame the soldering iron works great!

Really wanted to like this but after only an hour's use the plastic melted and jaws no longer close. (Pictured in closed position.)After eventually heating up this tool did make several fuss-free connections, about as fast as a propane torch. However it quickly stopped making good contact and took progressively longer.Might be tolerable for a twenty dollar hobbiest tool but not a so called professional tool costing ten times that.