[Boatanchors] SOLDER TIPS

[Ken Kaplan]

David,

I have a 250w Wen gun that I've owned since 1960. It works great and 
gets hotter than H%@#. Don't forget that high watt guns flow a bit of 
current through the tip with a relatively low voltage. Excessive contact 
resistance will significantly reduce the current and therefore the heat. 
I've had problems in the past with oxidation on the tip parts that 
insert into the gun. Sounds like maybe you have this problem.

I use a temp. controlled 60w Weller pencil for most everything and the 
gun for heavy stuff like 12g or bigger wire. I will admit that I built a 
Heathkit scope with that gun. I learned to be careful with all of that 
heat. The printed circuit board was a challenge but I did it.

Ken kb7rgg

David C. Hallam wrote:
>   I gave up on soldering guns a long time ago.  I didn't like the 
> waiting time for the tip to get hot and didn't think the reliability of 
> joint was as good as with an iron.  I've got a big 250W Weller gun that 
> won't melt soft butter.
>
> David
> KW4DH