Soldering mat differences

[Bogart]

Decided to push the boat out and buy a new soldering mat. Prices vary wildly from around£5 which is like my current one which has lasted me 10 yrs plus, only DIY use, up to one at nearly £30 made by Rothenberger is this price justified?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No I just double up on the cheap £2 ones

 

[Bogart]

Never seen them at £2

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Never seen them at £2

Bes

 

[snowhead]

Never seen them at £2

Pound shop?

Usually it's buy cheap, buy twice.
But in this case Shaun is right.
Buy twice is still cheaper, about 7.5 times..

An expensive, £30 one will, go missing, get stolen or get damaged.

 

[gmartine]

I usually give the cheapo matts a spray with heat barrier.

Warning though...it does not work as a delay spray.

 

[Gasmk1]

i found all of themm pretty crap if used a lot

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Pound shop?

Usually it's buy cheap, buy twice.
But in this case Shaun is right.
Buy twice is still cheaper, about 7.5 times..

An expensive, £30 one will, go missing, get stolen or get damaged.

Tried them all even the Roth £30 one lasted once and then split and then Burt behind so out that went

 

[Bogart]

I will need some copper pipe for when she lets me fit more rads in spring so will order a couple of the £2 mats as well.

 

[Bibbs118]

Yes all heat mats are Rubbish, they just fall apart after a bit of use. Im sick of it.

 

[Fos]

I use a heat guard a lot https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rothenberger-Guard-Superfire-Quick-Torch/dp/B0020UI2DA

Still need to use the mat sometimes for the hard to get at situations.

 

[WC1]

A report back from the OP would be appreciated when possible. I'm in the buy cheap and throw away camp. Always reminding myself they are a couple of mil of woven glassfibre, not some kryptonite - adamantium alloy!!

 

[BYP]

They all get burnt after lots of use, none will last you a life time if it's used day in/day out. My monument one lasted over a year.

 

[Bogart]

Got a couple of cheapie mats look no worse than the £5 ones

 

[WC1]

Shillbuilder's got a YouTube about ye holy mat - I've never bothered with it tbh seems a bit of a gimmick- but I'm always happy to be proved wrong.

 

[Bogart]

Patented a hole?hmmm. Where are those Polo mints!

 

[BYP]

Shillbuilder's got a YouTube about ye holy mat - I've never bothered with it tbh seems a bit of a gimmick- but I'm always happy to be proved wrong.

It can actually come in pretty handy.