[Elecraft] Weller WTCPT tip longevity

[Nigel A. Gunn G8IFF/KC8NHF]

The tip will last until the iron coating wears through and the copper 
slug physically erodes.
I would suspect that the switch contacts in the handle of your iron have 
broken or welded closed.
If viewed in the dark, an "always on" TCP will get red hot.


jfedison at alum.rpi.edu wrote:

>I use a PTF7 solder tip on my WTCPT and recently found that after about
>5 minutes of use, the tip suddenly starts to develop a thick char at the
>end and makes the solder turn dark. I replaced the tip with a newer one
>(<5 hours of use) and the same thing happens to that one. I will next
>try a brand new tip to see if the same thing happens. Either the problem
>is with the tip or it is with the heater/barrel nut assembly
>contaminating the tip. Has anyone experienced the same thing? How long
>should a typical solder tip last? Has anyone found a tip cleaning or
>storage method that helps prolong tip life? 
>
>Thanks. 
>Jeff Fedison in Niskayuna, NY 
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