I don't want to start a war here, but the guns work fine IF USED PROPERLY. I have one of the 175/325 watt guns and have no problems.

1st of all I apply the tip of the gun to the joint to be soldered and on HIGH heat hold it there about 1 1/2 - 2 minutes BEFORE putting the solder on. This normally gets the material get up to temperature. If the solder does not melt when applied 1/2" away from the gun, the material is not up to temperature for soldering.

2nd, the best flux I have found is the liquid type flux such as found with the "StayBrite" solder.

Yes, I also use a propane torch, however, there are times when a torch is not really useable for what you are doing (too close to other areas ). For those times I use the solder gun.

The key to soldering is get the joint clean, a GOOD flux and getting the material up to the proper heat. If ANY of those 3 are lacking/missing the joint is not going to be a good solder joint.