[Boatanchors] SOLDER TIPS

[Glen Zook]

Although I do try and keep some "real" replacement tips around for my Weller soldering guns, there definitely have been times when I have "run out" and therefore have used ones made from "plain ole" copper wire.  Those do work and, frankly, I have never harmed a soldering gun using "home made" tips.

However, for some reason, the "trigger" switch has gone out several times.  A new switch runs about $15 with shipping, but, that is still cheaper than purchasing a new soldering gun.  Because of the switch failure I keep 2 Weller soldering guns around.  When the switch goes bad on one I just start using the other one and then order a replacement switch.

On soldering irons, those that just hold the tip in place with a set screw, I have often made new tips out of like 10 gauge (maybe 8 gauge - I just take a tip with me to the home improvement center to find the correct size) bare copper wire that is sold by the foot.  After cutting the wire length I turn them down using a grinding wheel.  These tips don't last as long as the "real" tips.  But, finding the "real" tips, especially those which don't cost "an arm and a leg", is sometimes pretty difficult.  By using the wire my cost for tips is around 5 to 10 cents each.  Even though they only last about half as long as the "real" tips, the "home made" ones cost only a fraction of the factory made ones.

Glen, K9STH

Website:  http://k9sth.com


--- On Mon, 9/6/10, Bob W5UQ <W5UQ at att.NET> wrote:

 Okey dokey... I give... using the "homemade tips" may not damage your gun. Still the commercial made ones are best and last longer.
 
And if you don't have any proper tips and need to make one out of wire....... then I'd do it...  HI.  But I'd order some good tips too....