Soldering Iron Guide

The Express Self Igniting Propane Iron has been our best-selling iron over the years for a number of reasons.

The 3 main types of roofing soldering irons are propane, acetylene, and electric. Propane is a more commonplace and stable gas than acetylene and thus less dangerous. Some prefer acetylene because it will run hotter but a propane iron will melt solder in almost all cold weather environments. Propane irons are also ideal for outdoor work which would be a limitation of electric irons. Electric irons are best used in the shop whereas propane irons will be optimal in both locations. Check out our Soldering Iron Buying Guide for more information and pricing.

Many roofers who grew up soldering with hand irons and a soldering pot graduate to a propane iron because of the constant heat applied to the soldering tip. Hand irons need to constantly be switched in and out of the soldering pot which requires an abundant supply of hand irons. This process also requires time. The propane irons are ignited with a push button or a striker. The push button is advantageous because it only requires one hand. In the event that the flame were to blow out, you do not need to worry about reaching in your pocket and using a striker or lighter. The irons that need a striker to be lit are better equipped for shop work.

The iron features an enclosed flame to help prevent accidental burns to any roofing materials and most importantly to you. A stand is also attached so the iron can be put down safely. There are various styles and sized soldering tips which are selected depending on what bead you are looking to produce. The popular “long life” style tips require no pre-tinning or filing and last up to 6x longer than a copper tip.

A roofing soldering iron can be used for pre-tinning panels, flat lock, vertical stitching, gutter work and flashing. There is very minimal maintenance required on these soldering irons. Over the course of time, the impurities from soldering will gather in a piece within the iron which is called the gas nozzle or orifice. Depending on how often you solder will determine how often this part will need to be replaced. What you will notice is a weakened gas flow from your iron or that it is not getting as hot as it once did, and this will give you an idea when the gas nozzle needs changing. It is a simple procedure where you unscrew the handle from the soldering chamber portion and look for this piece and replace it with a new one.

The affordability of the complete soldering kit allows the professional contractor to have soldering capabilities for a reasonable price. Whether it is Express or Sievert both brands have strong reputations. A quick note is that once you get started with a manufacturer, it makes sense to stick with it because the soldering tips are brand specific.