[Elecraft] Soldering Iron Tip Contamination?

[Charles Greene]

At 03:34 PM 5/18/2002 -0700, Rick Lellinger wrote:
>Greetings,
>
>I'm an experienced kitbuilder and in all my years of building experience I
>have not seen a problem such as this one. I am using a brand new WS50
>Soldering Station with an ETH tip and 62/36/2 Kester solder.  Everything was
>soldering wonderfully until I used my solder sucker to remove a part. I also
>used a bit of solder wick and am wondering if the gunk is rosin flux from
>the wick. The ETH now has black stuff on it and it has become impossible to
>clean/tin. I have tried the # 600 Emery cloth approach and am having no luck
>at getting the tip cleaned, tinned, and usuable.   Increasing the tip
>temperature has not helped, either. I realize that the iron tips are plated
>and so I don't want to use anything too abrasive. Any suggestions would be
>greatly appreciated as I cannot continue building with the tips in this
>condition.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Rick


March down to your friendly Radio Shack and buy a tin of Tip tinner/cleaner 
compound, P/N 64-020.  Take the cover off and glue the tin to the top of 
your soldering Station.  Just before soldering, rub the tip in the 
compound.  Does wonders.



73, Chas, W1CG