I bought a soldering iron that looks exactly like this, but is radio shack branded(I wonder if the tips work between them). If it is the same iron, then Radio Shack was a better deal as it included both torch tip and conical tip.
Anyway, assuming... This is a wonderful little iron! I was using the other cheap soldering iron from Sparkfun(30W) and after wrestling with it for a few months, I figured out why I hated soldering so much. The cord always gets in the way! For me, I don't have a dedicated area for soldering, so I use of course my kitchen table. I'm right next to a plugin, but the extra thick wire on the other soldering iron made it so that it was almost impossible to get the iron to stay in a stand, and I was constantly fighting the natural twisting of the cable. I tried this butane soldering iron and presto! It works great! Very hot compared to what I'm use to (I keep it a tad higher than the lowest possible setting), but I've never worked with anything variable temperature.
Anyway, works great. No cord, pocket sized, and butane is cheap. (I went to a smoke shop and got a huge can(Lysol or other air freshener sized) for only $3. So I'm probably saving money in electricity even. Also, this thing is quick to heat up. It'll flame for a bit, and then a little grille type exhaust thing will glow red, and it's ready just about. The cool thing about the exhaust thing though is that you can turn it off for 2 or 3 minutes while you prepare something, and then turn it back on and it usually doesn't require relighting.
Definitely awesome.

I just wish that Sparkfun hadn't retired all of the tips but a hot knife tip(which seems kinda useless to me anyways) because you only ever get one conical tip when you get the iron and stuck with a hot knife that costs $11 each and the torch tip sounded kinda cool too!

hi! :) just a quick question: where can I get the torch tip adapter? Or can I use it without the adapter...? I'm really interested and where I work they're interested in buying more than 1... Hope to hear from you soon!

This is absolutely the best soldering iron I've ever had.
It's ready to use within seconds. No annoying wires, you can bring it anywhere you go, it simply rules!
The blowtorch nozzle is really cool too :)
Running out of gas is not really a problem. You can solder for a few hours before having to refill, if it does run out then it's just a matter of refilling it with standard cheap lighter fuel so it's no problem.

Can I use lead free solder with this?

God, I love this iron so much. As a TOTAL novice, I've done well in SparkFun classes, but have had trouble at home. I was using the leaded solder, and it requires flux (which SparkFun can no longer sell). I gave up on that and am using the 0.032" Special Blend solder now. It's excellent with this iron.

For those asking about torch tips, the tip does still screw off easily and can be used as a torch without it. You can see it disassembled in the current product photo.

I don't find that it lasts longer than half an hour for me, but I may be using it at a much higher temperature than I need to. As I said, I'm a total novice. It's still the perfect torch for me as I haven't got a proper station set up and need to store things out of the reach of young hands.

Former engineering student picking up electronics (likely focusing on robotics) as a hobby. I need one soldering iron, but don't anticipate needing an iron for "in the field." I'm mainly attracted to a Butane iron because I don't have to worry about cords and I can use it while sitting on my couch in my living room (far from an outlet). What are the disadvantages (compared to an electric iron)? Will this get too hot and burn my components?

Has anyone had trouble with the tips themselves melting?

The problem i always had with this tool was that a notch would melt out of the tip, requiring replacement every time used... Any problems with the newer tips? My experience was a decade ago. I'm hoping the issue has been resolved.

Other than that, not so minor, issue I love this tool. So small, you could solder something being held in the same hand. With the cap, it can be placed in your pocket when still hot.

I just got mine and I haven't had a chance to try it out yet but it looks like a product from iso-tip: http://www.iso-tip.com/.

Did you quit carrying this?

This soldering iron is truly awesome, I have been using it for a few months now runs for a long time and here beuetain is only bout 4 bucks a can for idk 50 refills so it might actually be cheaper than a firestarter special (okay maby not but still).

Couldn't one make an attachment that allows you to pump air in, heat the air with the burning butane and FWOOSH! have hot air come out?

Had some trouble trying to fill it initially. A tip to anyone with the same problem, use a needle or something similar to push in the refill valve to empty it of air, as well as make sure it opens fully. And also make sure your holding the can of butane and the iron perfectly straight or you'll get butane everywhere, not good.

After only about 5 hours of use (About 6-10 tank refills), my tip wouldn't come off. After trying to remove the head with heat and pliers, I gave up. Before I sent it back to sparkfun, I wanted to use up the torch's excess butane by doing one last solder job. When I lit the torch, I saw a little flame coming out near the base of the head. Then the entire head fell off.

I just can't get is this iron a complete crap or my butane?
Soldering is only possible on "very low" regulator setting because otherwise it overheat and flames start from the side of it. Also i bought original hot blower head and there is 40mm flame appearing from it and i am pretty sure that's not right. :)
Anyone with similar experience?

You can set a diamond on fire with this torch.

Just got the one I ordered and other then it being yellow, unlike the pictures, it feels pretty solid.

What kind of connector does this use for refilling? Could you (theoretically) go to a drug store and ask them to refill it with the equipment they use for refilling lighters?

This soldering iron is just simply gorgeous... Though, does anyone else have issues finding butane refill cans that have the appropriate adapter? My old butane iron fitted perfectly with the generic nozzle on most cans, but not even that works on this one. Whenever I'm refilling it I get more butane on myself than in the toy!

This is too cool (I don't mean it doesn't get hot enough). Everyone I show this to, says "Where did you get that?" I'm going to get a bunch of these to use as Christmas presents.
The torch tip lights birthday candles easily(is anyone surprised?). It was pretty funny when no one had any matches to light the candles on my in-laws' birthday cake so I brought this out with the torch tip to save the day. My nephews think I'm one cool uncle.
Oh yeah, it also works well for soldering.

I've loved this product until today when the conical tip could no longer be removed. We've tried everything to screw it off, but it simply won't. The intense heat might be the reason why the tip is now stuck, but seeing as this is a soldering iron it SHOULD be able to handle intense heat. One of the main reasons I bought this was because it was versatile and the tip should be able to be removed easily (and it has been working until today where it decided to get stuck). I have not treated it wrong or anything to cause this. Sparkfun, is it normal that these only last about 3 months or have I just been unfortunate and got one which was faulty?

This thing absolutely rocks! I use it for all of my projects and carry it everywhere I go.

I have used these things for years as my main soldering iron. Very light and no cord. After using these an iron with a cord is very annoying. Can do very delicate (SMT touchup) to fairly heavy soldering (16 ga stranded wire).
Tips are fairly rugged.
Refils with the butane cans for refilling lighters.