Recall: Soldering Guns Recalled by American Presto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 1998 Release # 98-081

Company Phone Number: (909) 390-5288 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Mark Ross, (301) 504-7076

CPSC, American Presto Corp. Announce Recall of Soldering Guns

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American Presto Corp. of Ontario, Calif., is recalling about 720 soldering guns sold under the Wisdom brand name. The plastic handle can melt during use, exposing consumers to electrocution, shock and burn injury hazards.

CPSC has received one report of a soldering gun's handle melting. No injuries have been reported.

The soldering gun is pistol-shaped, and made of red plastic with a metal barrel. The item is labeled, "SOLDERING GUN 110V 60 HZ 35W." A black power cord is attached to the bottom of the soldering gun. The soldering gun was packaged in a plastic shell, with a hang tag labeled in part, "SOLDERING IRON...PISTOL TYPE...MANUFACTURED IN CHINA FOR WISDOM TOOLS."

Northern Hydraulic Co. stores in Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Iowa, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Wisconsin and Virginia sold the soldering guns from February 1997 through January 1998 for about $4.

Consumers should stop using these soldering guns immediately and return them to American Presto Corp. for a refund. For information about how to return the soldering guns, call American Presto Corp. collect at (909) 390-5288 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST Monday through Friday.