On Sat, 14 Dec 2013 14:31:24 -0500, wrote:

I have one of those so-called "cold" soldering irons too - 2 AA
batteries -and it is cold all right - have never been able to solder
anything with the useless piece of junk.

I bought one to solder the 12ga wires in my attic when I put up the
emergency lighting. It didn't even tin one wire by itself. Grrr.

They're good for anything up to 89 gauge wire and a 1-surface pad.
Forget thru pads or anything real. sigh

Luckily, I got a buck more for mine when I sold it than I had paid on
eBaaaah. sheepish grinne

--
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
-- Anaïs Nin