Sealector 2 or 3

Create a Post
My Sealector is 19 years old so I am probably using the original, (duplicated but never improved), Sealector I.

I didn't know there was a redux let alone a three-pete!!!:shrug:

You ARE referring to a tacking iron, aren't you?? I can't imagine what they could do to a fancy soldering iron to improve it!! ................................. TWICE!!!!
 
I can't imagine a real use for a variable heat control unless you use your tacking iron for other purposes and would like reduced heat...possibly to remove some adhesives by heating them.

There could be an argument for reduced heat when using Restore Board and sensitive materials, but if you use the iron judiciously you can control the heat by "dwell time"...the amount of time you apply the iron.

I more often than not do not use a tacking iron but instead on larger items remove my release board from the press and put it on top of the work to be mounted and then slide the entire package into the press. Of course I generally use board that already has the adhesive applied to the board...Restore or Speedmount. (I leave the board oversize and then trim after mounting.)

Dave Makielski
 
So one has a rheostat and the other does not?? Mine has one and I keep it set about in the middle of the heat scale. I guess the question would center around how the III's heat setting (with no control to adjust it) compares to that of the II which has a rheostat to adjust the heat range. I wouldn't want to use my tacking iron on everything with it set to the highest setting on the dial, that's for sure! It gets really hot and that isn't always good for sensitive materials or finishes on paper.

I would therefore be inclined to buy the adjustable iron over the non-adjustable one. Sure, you may hardly ever need a lower heat setting but it is there if you do need it with the one with the heat dial on top.
 
Mine is a Sealector II, but the thermostat bit the dust after I dropped it 20 years ago. It is stuck on max, but it works just fine without my being able to adjust it. As Dave points out, you can simply adjust the “dwell” time.

It would be more expensive to replace just the thermostat than to buy a new one.

Go with the model III – save yourself the headache.
 
I use mine a lot for wrapping liners, so the variable temperature feature is important to me. I wear the teflon off of the surface in about 5 years, so, between that and dropping them (the cord is just long enough from the Seal press outlet that my foot catches it and jerks the tacking iron out of the tray on a regular basis) I end up replacing mine more than I would like. I just wish there was an alternative to the Seal (now Bienfang) brand.
 
Hey Wally...

I use an Oreck cordless iron for my fabric wraps...it was free with my Oreck vacuum cleaner! I actually went to a booth at the NY Gift Show one year and they were there exhibiting. I bought several vacuum cleaners...two for home and two for work and I think two additional to be set up as a dealer. I ended up selling or giving the other two away.

I guess I can tell my grand kids one day that I was a vacuum cleaner salesman!

Dave Makielski
 
Thanks, guys. WOW!! those are much better prices for tacking irons than the Bienfang product.
I find a full sized iron a little cumbersome for wrapping liners and have several travel irons as well as one made by Conair that's kinda funky. We've been looking at upgrading the Oreck at home, and will probably end up with one of the cordless irons as a result.
 
Check out Hangar 9 products, the Proseal comes with 2 year warranty and a 12' cord, not to mention superb temperature control. It is wrong what some of the framing supply companies charge for simple tools like these. I paid for mine 25 bucks on Ebay incl. shipping.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top