how to clean my soldering iron?

[Croton]

my soldering iron tip is all gross and junked up .

when i try to scrape it off, it won't come off. it stays black.

how do i clean it? any special methods or chemicals i can use?

thx
ning

 

[Vikaden]

let it heat up and then put some clean solder on it and then wipe it off

 

[Croton]

really? beceause solder won't even stick to my iron........it just beads off!

 

[Vikaden]

wow, its that bad? I really dont know then, sorry

 

[Rastus]

Try liquid flux. Wipe it on a wet sponge while you are using it. You can try a lower wattage iron, they don't get as dirty as fast. I prefer 12 watt irons for most jobs. 25 watt irons are good, I use a 48 watt iron for big jobs.

 

[Croton]

oh yeah, where can i get a good soldering iron?

maybe it's time for me to get a new one

ning

 

[thebestMAX]

Really Bad?

Use a file or sandpaper to get off black gunk. (Lightly as possible)

Tin

Wipe frequently with damp sponge when using and keep tinned. Cleanliness counts.

 

[Thegonagle]

The wet sponge is the key here. When I worked as an electronics tech, we used Weller temperature controlled irons that included a sponge holder in the stand. When the rosin would start to build up and turn black, just wipe it on the sponge and re-tin.

 

[Croton]

even when it is fully heated, whenever i try and wipe the black stuff off, itwon't come off. even if i use an x-acto knife to scrape it off, it won'te come off!!

 

[RossGr]

Stay away from chemicals if possible. They are not necessary, get a file or knife and a moist sponge. Heat the Iron and have solder handy. Get a molten ball of solder on the tip of the iron and file or scrape the black region wipe on the sponge, keep scraping in the presence of solder until you get to the bare metal underneath, clean frequently on the sponge. It may take a few minutes but you should be able to get the entire tip of the iron wetted with solder this way. In the future all ways put away your iron with a ball of solder on the tip, first thing after heating it up wipe it clean on the moist sponge, keep the tip clean when using it by frequently tinning it and wiping on the sponge. Between solderings (?) leave a moltan ball of solder coating the tip, wipe clean and rewet before using.

When I was a Electronics Tech in the Navy my chief used to say "Tin it all the way to your elbow!" That means tin as far up the tip as you can, not just the soldering point.

Good luck

 

[Croton]

ok thx for the tips guys.
i'm gonna get working on it soon

 

[Wedesdo]

buy a new one at walmart for $13... that's what i do

 

[RU482]

Get the ULTIMATE in irons - Metcal!

 

[Harvey]

You should always have a damp sponge around to keep the tip of your iron clean as you're using it. If it's really grungy, try heating it using a little amonia on the sponge, a rag, or a paper towel. You should try scraping it with abrasives or a hard object only as a last resort.

Eventually, a tip deteriorates. This happens sooner if you don't keep it clean. I hope your iron has replacable tips. When you first use a new tip, you should heat it, wipe it on the sponge, and tin it with fresh solder. Then wipe the residual flux off with the sponge.

Good luck.

 

[Colt45]

just dip it in flux when it is hot..

 

[Thegonagle]

<< buy a new one at walmart for $13... that's what i do >>


$13!?! They're only $9 at Radio Shack. I'd really like to get a temp controlled Weller like the one I used to use at work, but they're somwhere between $100 and $150 (I'm guessing). I'd only use it a few times a year, so I can't justify spending that much.

 

[Pennstate]

Get a new tip at radioshack. ABout $2

 

[Mday]

i generally use sand paper to remove the junk, or if the tip is screwed, dremel to reshape it. i go down to the copper. WHEN THE IRON IS COLD =)

then i coat the tip in liquid flux and plug the sucker in. when the flux starts to &quot;smoke&quot; i test some solder on it (the thickest i can find). when it's hot enough, i start the retinning process.

then i tap off the excess solder and wipe off the excess flux and junk with a damp sponge. when the iron is still HOT!!!!!!!! use cellulose sponges... and keep a little thing of water handy...

after retinning, i find my tips to be slightly golden brown (very slight) off pure silver...

i also have extra tips =)

--

i retin up to the hilt. and i use flux and solder meant for electrical applications of course =) =P

--

i hate having flux jump on me =(