Hello! Quick soldering iron question here.
First off, I have a 30 Watt radio shack soldering iron that inexplicably stopped working after about two weeks of use... I really wish I would have hung on to that receipt. Is this common? Is there an easy fix for this?
Anyhow, that was long ago, and I've since been using a 45 Watt Craftsman soldering iron. It works well, but I seem to go through tips pretty quickly. They only seem to last a week or so before I need to replace them, which is unfortunate, because getting replacement tips from Sears is like pulling teeth. Is 45 watts too hot or is it normal to burn through tips this quickly?
At this point, I'm considering investing in a new soldering iron, and I'm open to suggestions. All of the soldering I do is on electronics, and I'm not one hundred percent sure what wattage of iron I should be using.
Thanks again,
Chad
First off, I have a 30 Watt radio shack soldering iron that inexplicably stopped working after about two weeks of use... I really wish I would have hung on to that receipt. Is this common? Is there an easy fix for this?
Anyhow, that was long ago, and I've since been using a 45 Watt Craftsman soldering iron. It works well, but I seem to go through tips pretty quickly. They only seem to last a week or so before I need to replace them, which is unfortunate, because getting replacement tips from Sears is like pulling teeth. Is 45 watts too hot or is it normal to burn through tips this quickly?
At this point, I'm considering investing in a new soldering iron, and I'm open to suggestions. All of the soldering I do is on electronics, and I'm not one hundred percent sure what wattage of iron I should be using.
Thanks again,
Chad
a) First I assume that you are only using rosin-core solder designed for electronic applications.
b) Don't clean the tip after making a solder joint. Clean the tip just before doing the next joint. The old solder protects the tip as it sits there hot in it's holder.
b) Don't clean the tip after making a solder joint. Clean the tip just before doing the next joint. The old solder protects the tip as it sits there hot in it's holder.
I dont know the ones you mention
But when they eat your tip very fast it tells me that you can do your own and better tips from copper
Fore finer electronics you need one with a longlife tip
But when they eat your tip very fast it tells me that you can do your own and better tips from copper
Fore finer electronics you need one with a longlife tip
Maybe you should concider investing in a decent temperature controlled iron.
The thermostat will ensure that it is never too hot, The tips last a lot longer and the risk of damage to the components and PCB are reduced.
The thermostat will ensure that it is never too hot, The tips last a lot longer and the risk of damage to the components and PCB are reduced.
Hi scwhiteley
What are you cleaning the tip with?
They should last a lot longer than one week. You aren't using any thing abrasive as a cleaner are you?
John
What are you cleaning the tip with?
They should last a lot longer than one week. You aren't using any thing abrasive as a cleaner are you?
John
Alone the tip fore a quality iron probably cost more than your solder iron....cheap stuff
I just bought a cheap solder iron fore soldering speakers and stuff, to not use my fine solder iron
The tip only lasted a few soldering jobs....cheap junk
Man, I have had simple homemade copper tips lasting 100 times longer
If you buy a new solder iron, make sure its easy to get replacement tips
And different size tips is good to have as well
I have a Weller, and my next will also be a Weller
I just bought a cheap solder iron fore soldering speakers and stuff, to not use my fine solder iron
The tip only lasted a few soldering jobs....cheap junk
Man, I have had simple homemade copper tips lasting 100 times longer
If you buy a new solder iron, make sure its easy to get replacement tips
And different size tips is good to have as well
I have a Weller, and my next will also be a Weller
I can't imagine what you're doing with your tips to destroy them so fast - I'm still using the original tip I got with the iron 6 years ago.
Tips for longevity: never clean your tips with anything stronger than a damp sponge. Always leave your tip "dirty" to protect it from oxidation, then clean it just before you use it.
Tips for longevity: never clean your tips with anything stronger than a damp sponge. Always leave your tip "dirty" to protect it from oxidation, then clean it just before you use it.
Hmm, there is one thing that could destroy a longlife tip very fast
If you start soldering before the tip is hot enough, the tip could "get stuck", and the surface breaks off, and the tip is hurt
It also happens when you try to solder items fore which the tip and iron isnt heavy enough, like speaker terminals, heavy wire, etc
Also be careful not to drop it, and such
If you start soldering before the tip is hot enough, the tip could "get stuck", and the surface breaks off, and the tip is hurt
It also happens when you try to solder items fore which the tip and iron isnt heavy enough, like speaker terminals, heavy wire, etc
Also be careful not to drop it, and such
Thanks for all the quick replies!
I just use a water-moistened sponge to clean the tip.
I just use a water-moistened sponge to clean the tip.
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