WORKSHOP ESSENTIALS
Each month we’ll be visiting a scooter shop somewhere in this wide world of ours – whether its speciality be restos or racers, engineering or basic servicing – and heading into the workshop to find out what the people there consider essential to keeping i
Javi is the proprietor of Scooterist Factory, based in the Spanish town of Guadalajara not far from Madrid. He started the business initially as a Vespa/Lambretta workshop to cater particularly for the tuning and customising market in Spain, but mail order is becoming increasingly important.
Probably the best example of what Scooterist Factory can produce is the customised PX called ‘Spanish Bombs’ which was the cover star of Scootering’s October 2014 edition.
Sticky dropped by to find out what tool Javi couldn’t do without… You’ve picked a gas-powered soldering iron. Why is that important to you? Because you can’t carry a cable and an extension lead with you everywhere. I can use this around the workshop, outside and take it with me when I travel.
What brand is the one you use? It is a Portasol Technic. I bought it so many years ago that I don’t even remember how much it cost me.*
Have you used it much when you’ve been away on scooter rallies? Many times. Once I had no lights and I thought it was the bulb at first because a wire had come unsoldered. If you don’t have one of these then what are you going to do? I hate electrics but at least if you have this then you can have a solution.
Do you only use a gas iron? No, if I need more power then I have a large electrical gun-type iron, but usually this is enough.
Are there any problems with this type compared to electric? Only if you run out of gas, but it will run for about an hour and you refill with butane lighter fuel. Maybe it’s not too powerful for really big solder joints. How often do you use it? Every day. Honestly, because I also use it to light my cigarettes!
*Portasol is one of the leading gas soldering iron manufacturers. The Technic model is adjustable up to 60W and 400ºC and costs around £25 but you can pick up toolboxsize unbranded irons from £15 upwards. Name: Javi Job: Owner of Scooterist Factory location: Guadalajara, Spain Workshop essential: Gas powered soldering iron Last scooter ridden: Spanish Bombs!