modPRO's MP-61 cordless soldering iron: for untethered modders

If you've ever had to rely on an extension cable just to get a soldering job done, modPRO's got a little something you may find interesting. The MP-61 soldering iron not only requires just 15 seconds to preheat, but it operates sans a tether. You heard right, this bad boy can get the job done on just a trio of AA cells, which is sure to give you a lot more freedom on your next DIY endeavor. Regrettably, there's no mention of a price, but you know you'd pay a premium to cut the cord.

[Paragraph @ Oct 8th 2007 9:31AM]

While cordless soldering solutions arn't new, as long as this can be used on electronics (unlike cold heat) i should be in for one. Other than that, it's butane, and i'd rather not put a portable flamethrower in my pocket ;)

also: looks pretty well designed in the dept. of ergonomics in the respect that there isn't over-engineering. yay of lack of grips and contours and etc.

[Benson @ Oct 8th 2007 10:21AM]

I've an old Archer (I think) butane iron. Bright red, with a lid including pocket clip(/anti-rolloffthebench device) and flint wheel. The thing is actually very nice to use. You don't think about it when using a corded iron, but the pull of the cable substantially increases the difficulty of fine work. This one should have that benefit and (since they use AAs, not Sony Li-ions) eliminate primary fire hazards.
Of course, you can still light things on fire with anything hot enough to solder with, so it seems the danger to your pocket in most circumstances (i.e. unless you break it) is the same.

[J. Evans Turner @ Oct 8th 2007 8:02PM]

@ Benson:
"since [they are] not Sony Li-ions, [should] eliminate primary fire hazards."

I lol'd.

[apeguero @ Oct 8th 2007 9:38AM]

So is this better than the RadioShack one?

[Joe @ Oct 8th 2007 9:54AM]

#2 pencils solder better than Radio Shack soldering irons.

[Paragraph @ Oct 8th 2007 9:55AM]

The radiohut one is just the cold heat, it ues an electric current to heat the tip, causing fast heat-up and cool-down, and also fried electronics.

[JuggleNuts @ Oct 8th 2007 1:59PM]

@Joe: I love you.

I bought that "Cold Heat" piece of trash and got so mad at it that I just ground it's fancy little carbon tip into my workbench and then hit the whole show with a hammer. I showed it good.

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 8th 2007 9:47AM]

Gimme a gas iron any day.

Electric has trouble holding up when you need a lot of heat, say, doing field repairs on a larger terminal in a vehicle application.

I also like how they heat up faster.

[nutz4hs @ Oct 8th 2007 10:16AM]

weller has a iron just like this, ive used it for a while now. 6W is plenty and it takes a mere 15 seconds to heat, i got one online for 11$ but ebay has them even cheaper, 3 AA batteries last a while.

[bombastinator @ Oct 8th 2007 11:02AM]

These comments quite entertaining to read if one forgets for the moment that it is about a soldering iron, and instead mentally substitiute a clothes iron

[noazark @ Oct 8th 2007 11:37AM]

its 2007, why are we still using AA????!!!! recharge people, recharge.

[c22gold @ Oct 8th 2007 11:30AM]

I've tried rechargeable AA's and found them unsat.
The rechargables cost a lot, and run down too fast. VERY inconvenient for my puposes.
Your mileage may differ, of course.
On the other hand, the recharge D-Cells rock!

[Big John @ Oct 8th 2007 11:41AM]

Rechargeable AA batteries are available just about everywhere.

[Michael Geary @ Oct 8th 2007 12:40PM]

@noazark: That's why they make rechargeable AA's. :-)

@c22gold: Different size rechargeables have similar characteristics if the chemistry is the same. You didn't mention what chemistry your AA and D cells used, or what the application was.

NiMH rechargeables of any size excel at high-current applications. In a digital camera like my Canon A610 that takes AA cells, NiMH cells last many times longer than alkalines.

NiMH cells do self-discharge fairly quickly. They'll be flat in a few months if you leave them sitting. They also have lower voltage than alkalines, 1.2V instead of 1.5. Cameras are designed to work the same on either voltage, but the lower voltage might give a cooler tip temperature in the soldering iron. The modPRO page didn't mention the use of NiMH cells.

I have an old butane soldering iron with a piezoelectric starter. Not Radio Shack; I don't remember who made it (and don't have it handy right now). It's the kind that whistles when you push the button on the side to light it. Works great!

[noazark @ Oct 8th 2007 1:13PM]

i did say "why are we still using AA?" didnt i?? oh, i did, just checked. the point being, NO AA, who cares about rechargeable or not. the hardest part of my day is taking apart my camera (or in this case electromagnetic thermo metalic 1337 devise) and lugging that HUGE AA charger into the wall, only to leave my camera utterly useless (nooo i dont have extra batteries around the house).

im talkin, internal battery (prone to explosion), with charging station. better yet, give me the moon, USB charger.

rechargeable AA's do have their place. in my sisters ezbake oven, but come on techcommunity. lets grow up.

[tcc3 @ Oct 8th 2007 4:47PM]

I'd rather it use standard battery sizes. At least then you have the choice. You can recharge if you have time or hit up the drug store for some emergency AAs.

Standard, non proprietary batteries are not a limitation, they're a good idea.

[nih @ Oct 8th 2007 11:13AM]

I have the branded cold heat one, it's not really that bad. You WILL ruin your first tip though.

[Mike @ Oct 8th 2007 12:25PM]

I am really curious as to how well this thing keeps it's temp... does it fluctuate much? also, I'm pretty sure that this is electric, but probably has a much more functional heating element than a cold-heat.

[macona @ Oct 8th 2007 1:49PM]

Ill stick with my Weller butane powered iron...

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 8th 2007 4:14PM]

Anyone who's had to do real stuff in a real situation would.

[Garth @ Oct 8th 2007 7:31PM]

This is the same as the one I got from RadioShack about 2 years ago:

http://www.thesourcecc.com/estore/Product.aspx?language=en-CA&catalog=Online&category=Soldering+Tools&product=6412000

[Ken @ Oct 9th 2007 1:59PM]

Just to ensure we're all on the same page: I have used the Cold Heat and the Cold Heat Pro and they both totally suck. It's not like they couldn't do a good one off AAs (including NiMH, of course which cold heat recommends NOT using)... they just don't seem smart enough to implement it.