Throw those bad soldering tips away !

[Mark.Clappers]

Depends on the type of solder you use (with or without lead) but I generally solder @ 390C with leaded solder (type S-Sn62Pb36Ag2)

 

[theAnonymous1]

After using a 25W dumb iron for many years, I guess I got used to soldering HOT. Now that I have a good iron I usually have it set to 680F and that still seems slightly cooler than the dumb iron used to run. Only reason I don't go higher is that the tip oxidizes too fast.

 

[theAnonymous1]

Depends on the type of solder you use (with or without lead) but I generally solder @ 390C with leaded solder (type S-Sn62Pb36Ag2)

Ah good, I thought I was running hotter than most people @ 360C. Now I might have to crank it up a little more.

 

[kubeek]

Any recommendations on Solomon soldering stations?

 

[Johnny2Bad]

Ah good, I thought I was running hotter than most people @ 360C. Now I might have to crank it up a little more.

You want it as hot as necessary to get good quick heat with good flow in less than 3 seconds, but no hotter. If 360 works for you no need to go higher. Hakko has some excellent PDF guides at their website(s) that apply to any iron and solder formula. Well worth reading.

You can file the cheap tips but good tips (eg Hakko) should never be filed. Refer to your iron mfgr's instructions.

 

[theAnonymous1]

You can file the cheap tips but good tips (eg Hakko) should never be filed. Refer to your iron mfgr's instructions.

My tip filing days are over. My GOOT iron is compatible with Hakko tips and I bought a bunch in advance not knowing how long they would last. Needless to say, I now have a lifetime supply.

 

[zerokelvin99]

Ersa Icon IC1100-A 150W temp controlled.

Best money ever spent. I use it for thru-hole, large class SMD and heavy guage wire soldering - no problem.

450ºC is the way forwards! The Ersa has a 250ºc standby mode to stop oxidation, I advise you find one that does the same. Provided you have a good technique (fast and reliable), there is no problem using the hotter iron.

Ps. Low temps are for wimps

 

[Tiroler]

This is what I prefer, works absolutely great CD    soldering station - JBC Soldering and rework tools for electronics

 

[qusp]

Love my Hakko, but remember that tips are a consumable item. They last way longer if you get in the habit of reducing the heat between operations. It only takes a few seconds to come back up to temperature when you need it. Somewhere I saw a chart of tip life vs temperature, and it's a real eye opener. Something else that takes its toll is if you do a lot of service and use the tip to pry up bent over component leads. If all you do is build new boards, the Hakko tips last near to forever.

hmmm, I usually turn the iron down if i'm going to be more than a minute too, but i've actually been told that this lessens the life of the tips due to thermal cycling/shock

 

[mp9]

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Stahl Tools TCSS Temp Controlled Soldering Station ESD Safe 374-200