[Elecraft] Soldering Iron Tip Contamination?

[Don Wilhelm]

Folks,

Some time ago Tom Hammond N0SS recommended using one of the twisted metal
kitchen scrubbers (Chore Girl is one brand name) instead of a sponge for
cleaning soldering iron tips.

I tried one and have been very pleased with it, but I noticed a side
benefit - I too had a 'dirty' tip that I was about to replace, but I found
that by running that tip through this tip wiper material several times (and
re-tinning the tip in between) that tip was restored and just as usable as a
new one.  I had previously tried gently scraping with a blade and even
lightly sanding off the tip with 320 grit paper without good success.

Look in your local grocery store for a scrubber that looks like a ball of
twisted springs.

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message -----

This will sometimes work. heat the iron to 700 degrees scrape the tip with a
knife blade and immediately apply a lot of solder to the tip with several
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. ....snip