I have tried several irons and can now enthusiastically recommend the JingdaLeather Iron ordered thru Aliexpress, and initially suggested by Lyn, thanks Lyn. I have used the Leather Iron by Jingda Thermoelectronic Products to build both V2 and V3 rafts, one of my own and helping with several built by others. I can complete seams in roughly half the time compared to using a model aircraft iron – due to the better, narrower shape of the Jengda iron and especially the upswept tip that allows sealing at high angles.
I think the Jingda is three or more times faster than the Clover (I built my first raft with a Clover and helped with many others) because the Clover is slow to transmit heat to the foot of the iron and quickly drops below TPU welding temperatures as one moves along a seam.
I ordered mine from: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/220V-150W-50-350C-degree-adjustable-mini-electric-iron-for-leather-clothes-87mmX27mm/32705305023.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.288.2C5OLO
Mine came with a US plug adaptor, which worked fine in standard 3-prong US 110 volt outlets. No transformer needed. Please don’t plug it into 220 volt circuit unless you have the electrical knowledge of the difference between one leg Chinese 220 volts and two-leg alternating US 220 volts.
I see others online with better cords (my plastic one melts if brushed with the hot foot) at
and
Some come with UK or EU plug adaptors.
All will need the aluminum foot filed flat so you can best heat seal a seam. Lyn also filed it narrower.
Hope this helps,
Bruce, Fairbanks, Alaska
P.S.: Yes, you need a tandem V# raft too! Fantastic raft!