BernzOMatic Butane Cordless Soldering Iron Review

Here we are reviewing the original BenzOmatic ST100 butane cordless mini torch and soldering iron set. . .

[@michaeldonnelly2977]

THANK YOU!! I bought this soldering torch a long time ago and I needed to use it today in a pinch, but I forgot how to keep it lit properly. This video was.EXACTLY what I was looking for. Most important is that after lighting the torch through the bottom hole (which reveals itself when holding the tip assembly up with your thumb), you may need to raise the flame higher so that metal grid below the tip starts to glow. If you drop the spring loaded tip assembly before the top hole starts to glow then the flame will keep going out early and drive your nuts! 🥜

[@maxwellmark]

One point of caution is to adjust the tip so that the observation hole (where you can see the red glow) is pointing up (as in same side as the on/off switch). It is an exhaust vent and a great deal of heat can radiate out of it. If pointing down towards the stand side, it can easily damage the table surface. Also be aware of its position when using in tight spaces, surrounding components can be damaged.

[@robertbanks8870]

Thanks. That was exactly what I was wondering about.

[@rev-you1975]

Nice one. Thanks for sharing. Just what I needed. Found my iron but couldn’t remember the lighting procedure. Great video.

[@dwalch1]

Outstanding video. Got one of these years and years ago. Been sitting at the bottom of the box and I forgot how to use it but with your video I can finally use this thing again! Very handy not needing an electrical cord! Thank you!!!

[@boutthere3374]

I picked one up a few years back for a one time need and its been on the shelf ever since. I found it useful and worked fine. Fit for purpose.

[@duffamongus]

Thanks for the video. I was given one of these today and had no model number to go by so I was just image searching till I came across yours. Perfectly explained everything that I needed.

[@CatusMaximus]

Glad I could help

[@pjfsr7024]

That knife tip is to heat cut, things like polypropylene ropes and stuff it also seals so they don't fray apart.

[@joejarvis639]

Great Video "BernzOmatic" should pay you for producing this video!

[@thaislandprince5866]

I refilled mine with the bernzomatic butane, but when I turn it on it doesn’t hiss from the top and no gas is coming out. Can’t use it rn. Help

[@stevel8838]

Thank you for explaining how this soldering iron lights. I lost the instructions and didn't understand how the catalyst keeps the flame going. Thanks again!!

[@crystalmontgomery1769]

Cus if im not mistaken the only noticible difrence just from looking i mean is the coler of the switch corect??

[@crystalmontgomery1769]

Ok so corect me if im wrong pleas so this one this bernzomatic pencik torch with a red switch on it is calked the bernzomatic st 100 and then so the one that looks almost exactly the same but with a blue switch is actualy the bernzomatic st 200???? Ok then whats the difrence between the 2 pleas tell me does the blue one get hotter or what

[@greg6162]

I have one I got maybe 5-7yrs ago and I just pulled it out and it won’t stay lit when I drop the bit down... I don’t know what model it is but it says 0313 on the handle? I really like the portability and this is my only soldering iron I own. I use it as an all purpose tool any suggestions?

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

Thanks for the review. I picked up a Benzomatic kit one day for $10 on a closeout sale at Lowe’s, and wanted to see a video like yours on operating it. About how long does the butane fill-up last when using it lightly? By the way, the infrared thermometers are very accurate if you put the laser red dot on what you are measuring and keep it there until you have the reading you need - I understand that this is very difficult to do, when you are holding a hot torch and a thermometer gun and trying to make a coherent, narrated video. You did a great job on this one and thanks again. P.S. The odd-shaped tip in your kit looks suitable for either light brazing or plastic welding.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for the great comment

[@alurq]

I have one of these. Does anyone know where to get replacement tips for this little torch?

[@Hansca]

Excellent video. Many many thanks!

[@kristinawilson7173]

Anyone know where to find one of these?!?! I LOVED mine! And can't find this one anywhere since they have the newer one

[@willyqueen4066]

Thanks great video and some great tips

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for the great comment

[@crystalmontgomery1769]

I have this same one at home with red switch as well but myne wont solder mayne im doing something wrong???

[@greg6162]

Get better solder (I think it comes with leaf free) that contains flux. Rosin-core 60/40 with lead works much better than leadfree but obviously lead is toxic but if you use a small fan to blow the fumes away from you... but it’s really not an issue unless you’re doing some long soldering sessions. Lead free takes a lot longer to melt and is generally a PITA to work with.

[@TestSpaceMonkey]

Thanks for the review. I have one and almost find it too powerful for small electronics work. My solution is to combine it with a cheapo 7W usb soldering iron that heats up and cools down in a few seconds. Together they cover a wide range of applications and, adding a small usb power bank, makes a compact kit you can bring anywhere. To help preserve the tip, get yourself a sal ammoniac block. Whenever the precision tips get too crusty with oxides this does a great job of reconditioning it to a shine. I've only ever used the wedge tip as a hot knife for disassembling some stubborn plastic parts. Can't recommend that without good ventilation though :S.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you for your good comment. I agree soldering irons can be great for welding Plastics. There is a solution for when you need real precise Heating and that is a thermocouple controlled adjustable temperature soldering iron. Then you can dial it to the perfect temperature. I also agree that the gas powered soldering iron even at the lowest setting is still pretty hot and you had a good idea about having a small low power soldering iron for small electronics

[@TestSpaceMonkey]

​@@CatusMaximus With the excess power of the butane iron it was really more "minimally destructive" disassembly than anything that would pass for welding. My preferred go to for quick plastic welding fixes is actually a bit of plastic rod in a Dremel chuck: instant friction welder.

[@baggins1]

Use in commercial environment every single day. Yes they are invaluable. We use Master Appliance Ultratorch. About $95 but awesome for getting away from the cord situations. Used mostly in emergency vehicle outfitting but on bench as well.

[@baggins1]

Ultra has a push button start and sounds like a F16 APU firing up.

[@CatusMaximus]

That is sweet. I just wish it was easier to find tips for without having to deal with ordering them

[@baggins1]

Catus Maximus Had that issue with a small butane Radio Shack unit. It was my favorite for in the field RC plane work but replacement tips quality went south. Never worked for beans after original tip got shockers up. Tried multiple replacements.

[@mxcollin95]

Thanks for going over that. Mine is just like yours but I couldn’t remember how I was supposed to light it. I was thinking it sparked when I turned the switch on but...I was wrong (which explains a lot). 👍

[@dylansmith7850]

I'm confused how u start it

[@maxwellmark]

Bhad Bhabie I slide the flame control to 4, pull up on the spring loaded tip and hold the exposed hole over a lighter, switch the torch on and it should light...continue to hold the tip up for about 10 sec. then release. You should be able to see the heating element glow inside, just below the hole

[@johne8337]

Thanks for the info!

[@Wreckz_Tea]

"If you try to light it at the top it will shoot a flame out the side and won't be a good situation" Me: looks at my side flame and feels guilty for thinking I had everything figured out

[@greg6162]

I literally just did that Lol. But when I drop my tip down it won’t stay lit. It’s 6 years old though and the older plastic version not metal like his... any suggestions?

[@dougdileo4727]

me too

[@duffamongus]

Glad I'm not the only one

[@dougdileo4727]

thank you, i did not know to slide up the first adapter to light it and flame always came out of the side of the top adapter...awesome...time to fix the laptop....

[@llib90630]

bernzo matic?

[@oahola237]

Thanks, I lost the instructions...you helped me out.

[@sjancura]

Have the Power Probe version. Great video!

[@CatusMaximus]

Thanks

[@okcdan69]

Thank you!

[@Big74Mike2012]

You just add a flame to the top and it lights right up... mine has NEVER done that, and it's sat in a drawer for years now because of that. No matter what gas level I put it at, as soon as I remove the flame, it goes out. It's even more ineffective when I add one of the solder tips to it!

[@Chu3505]

These butane soldiering irons torches works great for cars in mechanical wiring soldering and electrician soldering wiring soldering..

[@shaystern2453]

MUCH BETTER then a soldering iron

[@lisanikora-moody7079]

St550k how to light

[@abigoreternal7537]

Didnt know Benz made torch lighters lol

[@neweraccount5615]

You call it a benzomatic BUT it looks like it says beRnzomatic

[@CatusMaximus]

Quite true these irons for some reason really burn you badly. All irons will burn you but it seems the butane powered ones are just too easy to set at extremely high temperatures

[@newnooks]

BenzOmatic is now BernzOmatic because of Mandela Effect. :( Can't find original BenzOmatic anymore.

[@Wreckz_Tea]

You just blew my mind. I swear mine said benzonatic 3 seconds ago and now it doesnt

[@kingpin1982]

I can't seem to fill mine hahaha

[@greg6162]

Yeah, I just found that out. I haven’t used it it 3yrs or so and it’s spraying butane everywhere... it could be full already though?

[@TheWebstaff]

I'm here looking for the same thing!

[@robsim4692]

Old video but back when video was new real men used the same thing as real men do today which is a Flame thrower 9000! Burn a body or melt some wires with the same great tool and same great result except for the prison part!

[@Monogrammaton]

what

[@joefranksmith]

Cutting Rope...

[@CatusMaximus]

You know it

[@a3a14613]

I would have liked a simple, "How to light the Bernzomatic" video, this was far too long.