[Boatanchors] SOLDER TIPS

[Drew P.]

Bob W5UQ wrote:

"Note: using anything in place of the recommended tips can cause your
gun to heat up and fail."

Those of us who use homemade tips can do a little testing...measure the current of the gun using these tips vs OEM-type tips. An ammeter in series with the AC line input is one approach. Another approach might be to clamp an Amprobe-type meter through the tip at the location where it enters the bars of the gun.

Bob continued: 

"I used to put a copper wire in place of the tip.. did it for years...
found out that the tips Weller sells has the tip made of something more
than copper.  This is supposed to concentrate the heat to the tip."

I like the OEM-style tips for most work.  However, at times I use a homemeade tip for work on the printed circuit board (yes, circuit board) of certain model Peavey musical instrument amplifiers.  These have leads coming in from all sides, and a row of controls soldered along one edge.  Much desoldering of leads and controls would normally need to be done to access the solder of just one defective control with a normal soldering iron.  My homemade tip is about 10" length and bends to one side; within the flexibility of all connections to the board I can lift up one edge and reach underneath with my custom tip.  Saves much time and effort, and reduces risk of damage from desoldering and resoldering the other connections.  

I hammered out somewhat the business end of my custom tip before bending to raise resistance and reduce current drain, thereby running at a cooler temperature more suitable for PCB work.

I can think of a few boatanchor situations where such a tip might be handy.

Drew