Posts: 1167
Joined: 12/7/2001 From: Bedford, MA, USA Status: offline
This is one case where going cheap definitely isn't a good idea. I've got a Tower Hobbies Sealing Iron, that decided to melt my covering pretty bad because it's now only got one temperature setting... I've only had it for 3 months.
Anybody know who makes the best (reliable) sealing iron?
Posts: 173
Joined: 12/27/2001 From: Colorado Springs, CO, USA Status: offline
I have tried several and find the old royal iron with the rounded tip to be the best for me. The thermostat in these irons isn't too good. I mounted a standard dimmer switch and a duplex outlet in a double electrical box. The dimmer switch puts out a constant voltage level, so the iron temperature is constant. I found the best temperature and put a mark on the dimmer seitch so I can redial the temperature every time I use it.
I tried the fancy Hangar 9 iron. Might overheated and the handle melted. It got so hot it almost caught fire. Could have been a disaster.
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Joined: 12/5/2001 From: Everett, WA, USA Status: offline
I'm still using the T/F iron that I bought back in the late 70's, but quite a few shoes later! It still works great, but I did buy a 21st Century iron and I hated it!!!! The material on the shoe wore through on the 1st plane, and well I just didn't like the feel of it. I went back to old trusty and all is well.
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Art Grabow SR Senior forum Manager
US Army Special forces, mess with the best, die like the rest!
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Joined: 12/3/2001 From: Clovis, CA, USA Status: offline
Well Art......sorry you don't like the 21st Century....more for me .
Now to me the 21stCentury was the best iron since sliced bread. I bought one when first introduced, and haven't used anything else. I'm on the second one now, in about 12yrs, so that's not to bad. I could probably get the old one repaired too. I'm leaving an example here..this plane was done totally with a 21stCentury iron....I think a big key in it, is the thermostat system, and the constant temp, with the other less expensive irons the heat varries alot more. ,,,
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Joined: 6/18/2002 From: Missouri City, TX, USA Status: offline
[QUOTE]Originally posted by GrnBrt It still works great, but I did buy a 21st Century iron and I hated it!!!! The material on the shoe wore through on the 1st plane, and well I just didn't like the feel of it. [/QUOTE]
I guess its the Teflon coating that wore out ? Could you have used a sock over the shoe during covering ?.............
I use the Hanger 9. Many of my friends have the same thing. Never had one burn up. Don't judge all by one bad example. The Hanger 9 seames to have the best temperature control and shape shoe for my taste. I also purchaned the Century 21 Didn,t like the shape of the shoe. Its the Hanger 9 all the way. A convenenient note, it also has a 12 ft cord. I put a switch in the line so that I do not have to plug and unplug all the time. Lee
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Joined: 12/5/2001 From: Everett, WA, USA Status: offline
I guess its the Teflon coating that wore out ? Could you have used a sock over the shoe during covering ?.............
No I didn't use a sock, but that shouldn't matter. The coating was worn off in the center of the shoe before I was done with one plane, my T/F one has done more then I can remember since I put a new shoe on back about 11 years ago. I also didn't like the shape of the shoe, felt unnatural or something.
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Art Grabow SR Senior forum Manager
US Army Special forces, mess with the best, die like the rest!
Posts: 1077
Joined: 12/3/2001 From: Clovis, CA, USA Status: offline
Wow...I've never had the coating come off. No wonder you'all aren't fond of the 21stCentury. I've been fortunate to have good results...dunno...worked for me though. I have checked out the H9 iron..I think that would be a second choice for me, if the 21stCentury wasn't available. H9 is a nice iron, with good shape on the shoe. 21stCentury been around a while though.
I started w/ a 21st Century which fried in the middle of a weekend bout of solartex application (after 6 years of service). The only iron available at the LHS was a Hobbico, so I took it home. I'd avoid Hobbicos unless you wire up a dimmer switch as described by rcman. By itself the Hobbico thermostat varies over 20 deg. C. The difference between attach and shrink is only 10 deg. C with solartex. I did manage to gut the heating element from the Hobbico and graft it into the 21st Century Iron, which I really like and it does hold a very steady temperture setting.
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Joined: 8/3/2002 From: Kent WA & Mesa AZ,
WA, USA Status: offline
I have a 21st Century Iron and love it. My teflon coating came off but I mailed it back and received a brand new one free! Scratches dongt seem to hurt it a bit. I use it all of the time. LOve the constant temperature.
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Whatever goes up, doesn't necessarily come back in the same conditon.
I used to have a Royal, but the temp control really was bad. Ditched that and got a Hangar 9. Much better temp control. Quit working though. took it apart and had to re-attach a wire. works great now. I like the shoe shape too. Teflon doesn't last, but what iron does. I mostly use Ultracote now, so it's more forgiving on temp anyway...long as you don't bump it by mistakes, but that's another story...
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Who makes the best sealing iron? - 
It still works great, but I did buy a 21st Century iron and I hated it!!!! The material on the shoe wore through on the 1st plane, and well I just didn't like the feel of it. I went back to old trusty and all is well.
during covering ?............. 
