[Boatanchors] SOLDER TIPS

[Sandy]

The switches on the "new" guns are CRAP.  I may see if my old WD-135 tip 
will fit the new Weller gun.

73,

Sandy W5TVW

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Glen Zook" <gzook at yahoo.com>
To: "Drew P." <drewrailleur807 at yahoo.com>; "Bob W5UQ" <W5UQ at att.NET>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 6:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] SOLDER TIPS


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....



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