Years ago, I had a Wahl cordless iron that was limited in power, but quite handy for small jobs away from the bench. Thinking about getting another... Wahl apparently sold the soldering iron line to Iso Tip which sells an iron very much like the one I had:

http://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Iron-ISO-TIP-inQuick-Chargein/dp/B004GHT6P8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1456344431&sr=8-9&keywords=cordless+soldering+iron

In fact, the Wahl product still is available, but this may be older stock:

http://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Clipper-Iso-Tip-Cordless-Soldering/dp/B00FS78P02/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1456345657&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=wahlcordless+soldering+iron


On the other hand Hakko is now quite well respected and also sells a cordless iron:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZPUA28/ref=sr_rp_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ie=UTF8&qid=1456345050&sr=sr-1&keywords=cordless+soldering+iron

Any thoughts comparing the three irons, or alternative products?

not affiliated,
jr

I had a Wahl Iso Tip, a red one that would charge in 60 min., on my bench back in the '80s until the second set of batteries died and
I gave up on it. Wahl replaced it once. Was pretty handy and worked, got hot enough to do the job quickly.

Like this:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAzOFg4Mzc=/z/Q6YAAOSwe7BWvrc4/$_1.JPG

I have had and used battery powered portable soldering irons and found that they did not last (Batteries would hold a charge or last when needed the most) I am on 6 + years reliable usage of my Weller portasol butane powered iron not only do I have choice of tips from tiny to big and for the savings I use the butane cans that you would get for a small potable single burner stove.

I'd be careful buying old stock rechargeable products, unless they are cheap enough to be worth putting fresh batteries in, the batteries are probably toast if they have been sitting for a couple years.

I am on 6 + years reliable usage of my Weller portasol butane powered iron not only do I have choice of tips from tiny to big and for the savings I use the butane cans that you would get for a small potable single burner stove.

I hadn't thought about butane soldering irons before, but they look like a strong contender... perhaps more power than battery operated units.
Is the Weller portasol unit made in Ireland?

jr

Check out this model, The Weller PSI100K - Super - ...
This Portable is rough and tumble tough and travels well without being in a protective case, It takes up the space of screwdriver and the vented cover makes it travel ready just after the job is done!
After many years it's still currently available, Reliability beyond my expectation, long tip life and cheap to fill using a UN2037 portable gas range cartridge.
Did I mention that I might be satisfied with this product :yes:

My college senior design team had a gas portable that was torch and iron....That thing could solder stuff 75W irons had trouble with.

Check out this model, The Weller PSI100K - Super - ...
This Portable is rough and tumble tough and travels well without being in a protective case, It takes up the space of screwdriver and the vented cover makes it travel ready just after the job is done!
After many years it's still currently available, Reliability beyond my expectation, long tip life and cheap to fill using a UN2037 portable gas range cartridge.
Did I mention that I might be satisfied with this product :yes:

Sounds good... a quick check on Amazon reveals at least 3 different "lines" of Weller butane soldering irons:

1. Cheapie, but with halfway decent reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-ML500MP-Mini-Butane-Soldering/dp/B000TDFT9U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1456692762&sr=8-5&keywords=weller+butane+soldering+iron

2. High quality "Portasol" line:

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-P2C-Butane-Soldering-Iron/dp/B000B61L0G/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1456695703&sr=1-1&keywords=weller+butane+soldering+iron

Which I am guessing is Weller rebrand of the Irish-made products:

http://www.amazon.com/Portasol-011280240-Butane-Powered-Soldering/dp/B003H6LRT2/ref=sr_1_12?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1456693114&sr=1-12&keywords=butane+soldering+iron

Both brands are available in similar kits, wihch include a variety of tips. Is your Weller Portasol kit Irish made?

3. High quality, but more expensive "Pyropen" line (real Weller?- made in USA????):

http://www.amazon.com/WPA2-Professional-Self-Igniting-Cordless-Soldering/dp/B000ICEMYU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1456694674&sr=8-7&keywords=weller+cordless

Amazing lineup with many choices.

E-M:
do you happen to remember the brand/model of iron that you used in school?

jr

I believe it was this Bernz-o-matic model http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1445224&KPID=1244721&pla=pla_1244721

I've used to gas irons outside only on the back patio and they work great for striping stuff.I'll never will use one inside since it will be a fire hazard.
I have a 12 volt iron somewhere here that worked OK but it takes to long time to heat up.

I never tried a battery iron yet.I see the guys on Youtube like Clive at bigclivedotcom and Dave at EEVblog using one.