Does anyone know what temperatures the various settings mean on the temperature control dial of an iron? My present iron (a Shark, which I despise) only has one, two, or three dots to represent the temperature settings. I have various types of iron-on stabilizers and interfacings that specify using a certain temperature in degrees or on "wool" setting, etc. I need to patch a winter coat, and don't want to melt the coat while repairing it.

I would imagine you have "low, medium, and high" settings. Wool is on medium on my iron. Can you try the temperature on the inside of the sleeve or hem where it won't show if you mess up? I'm thinking if you release the lining you can gain access to material that has been turned up on the sleeve length or on the hem of the coat.

you may try googleling the iron type and model# for the owner's manual.

wow- i didn't know there were irons out there with --- just dots- no clues-
every iron (except my little clover mini's) have settings from nylon all the way up to linen (coolest-to hottest)
i would (assume) that the highest (dot) on yours would be what you need for most fusables- they tend to need a cotton setting-
there are some (low-heat) ones though so adjust accordingly.

if irons are going in a direction that they no longer are going to give us fabric options i think i will stick to thrift store old irons. or really pay attention to the pictures on the packaging so i know i have the settings i need.

that doesn't seem very user friendly...

I would start with the lowest setting and increase it gradually until it is hot enough. I can see why you don't like your iron. I would also test on a spot that doesn't show. You could also use a scrap of muslin as a pressing cloth--thus avoiding melted fabric on your iron--always a pain.
Sue

Ditto.

I have a shark, it has 4 dots, each time I press the button on the handle it starts to glow as it reaches a certain temp. It does say, if it's cotton, wool. I don't understand why yours does not have that kind of markings