[Noisebridge-discuss] seeking advice on using glue guns, soldering irons, on 220V

[Michael Shiloh]

i'm getting ready to do a project at a conference in france, and i need 
glue guns and soldering irons.

i can either bring my own or buy them there. i probably need only 4-6.

i've noticed that most glue guns say they will run on 110-220. one 
presumes they will run hotter. has anyone actually tried this? does the 
glue flow out of the nozzle like water?

for the soldering irons i'll need to either buy some there or come up 
with a trick. one can buy a 220 to 110 VAC "converter" that is small and 
lightweight, but only works for heating elements. i'm told these contain 
nothing but a diode, so by rectifying the AC the power is roughly half. 
has anyone tried these? do they work?

does anyone have any glue guns or soldering irons specifically designed 
for 220 that i can borrow for a couple weeks around june 18-19?

i'm open to other ideas and suggestions. the conference is willing to 
buy some items but i'm trying to budget this wisely to get items that 
are expensive, difficult to locate, or that i don't already have.

i wish ACE junkyard or SCRAP had a branch in Marseille...