[Elecraft] Soldering Iron Tip Contamination?

[Don Brown]

Hi

This will sometimes work. heat the iron to 700 degrees scrape the tip wit=
h a knife blade and immediately apply a lot of solder to the tip with sev=
eral strands of solder twisted. Allow the tip to set in a blob of solder =
for about a minute. This treatment may be required several times. If this=
 doesn't work buy a new tip. While your at it buy a ETA tip you will like=
 it better because it has more mass. Short fat tips will work better than=
 long skinny tips. Stop using silver solder it should be used on surface =
mount parts only. 63/37 Multicore or Kester 44 is the best solder for thr=
ough hole assembly. Always apply some solder to the tip before turning of=
f the soldering iron. Wipe the tip only once on each side before making a=
 series of joints and do not wipe the tip before returning it to the hold=
er. This will keep the tip in good condition.

Don Brown
KD5NDB

----- Original Message -----
From: Rick Lellinger
Sent: Saturday, May 18, 2002 5:38 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Soldering Iron Tip Contamination?

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 a=
lso
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 l=
uck
at getting the tip cleaned, tinned, and usuable.   Increasing the tip
temperature has not helped, either. I realize that the iron tips are plat=
ed
and so I don't want to use anything too abrasive. Any suggestions would b=
e
greatly appreciated as I cannot continue building with the tips in this
condition.

Thanks!

Rick L N4FBW/6

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