This is not just another soldering iron. As mentioned previously, ColdHeat makes its soldering tips from a special material that heats rapidly and cools just as quickly. This allows ColdHeat's soldering tools to be cool enough to touch mere seconds after you've finished your solder joint and released the trigger. Isn't that what you want in a portable soldering tool?

Here's the news: The ColdHeat Soldering Tool ($19.95) has just been joined by a higher-end "Pro" model that sells for $10 more.

"The original tool is made more for the hobbyist and light-duty soldering uses," ColdHeat's Matthew Guiste told me in an e-mail. "The Pro is designed for the power user and/or contractor. Accordingly, the main advantages to the Pro are 1) it has more power--works on wires up to twice as large as the original ColdHeat soldering tool, 2) is more flexible--works on large jobs but also handles the small, precise jobs, and 3) is more rugged--the Pro is made from polycarbonate plastic and the internal components are made to withstand abuse."

Not a bad $10 upgrade. Whereas the original ColdHeat will tin 18-24 gauge wire, the Pro will tin wire from 12-24 gauge. Both run off AA batteries, four in the original model and five in the Pro.

You may find this product offered under the Coleman brand name. My local Costco sells the original model, packaged with a decent spring-loaded wire stripper, for less than $19.95 (as I remember). I haven't seen the Pro model yet in stores, but it can be ordered direct (link above).

No, you shouldn't let the kids play with any soldering tool, including this one. But, used as directed, the ColdHeat is the safest soldering iron I've ever come across. Really handy.