[Milsurplus] Weller Iron Frustrations

[Bruce Gentry]

On 5/14/13 7:48 AM, David Stinson wrote:
> Re:  Weller Iron Frustrations
>
> We've discussed this before, but I'm hoping some new ideas have evolved.
>
> Weller soldering irons with the copper tips make me want to pull my 
> hair out- both of them.
> The copper tips will make about two joints before they go
> Hi-Z at the tip connection points.  I have to either
> tap the tip several times or re-tighten the tip mounting set screws to 
> break the oxide barrier and get decent heat.
>
> Is there some kind of compound I can put on a new tip to
> prevent this?  I've thought of maybe stuffing the tip sockets with 
> solderwick or something.... anything... to keep decent contact
> for more than two or three joints.
> Gotta get two more kids raised before a hot-air station is
> realistic and I don't think it works all that spiffy on our
> kind of joints, anyway.
>
> Ideas?
>
> 73 Dave S.
>
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I have had good results using the gray electrician's anti-oxide paste on 
the nuts, barrels, and bends of the tips where they get clamped. It 
reduces oxide film as it is intended to,  lubricates the threads on the 
tip nuts so more of the tightening torque is devoted to clamping and 
less to thread friction, and increases conductivety in the threads so 
the nuts are carrying their share of the current to the tip and not just 
the barrels. I also developed the skill many years ago of switching from 
high to low heat and/or  briefly to off to regulate the tip  
temperature.  The solders of today, especially the low or no lead 
alloys, are far more difficult to use and need higher temperatures.  
Also there is less flux in most of today's  solders, and it isn't as 
good as the older blends.

     Bruce gentry, KA2IVY