I have problems with my soldering iron tips. The first tip was like picture 1 when it was new. But after only 2 months it looked like picture 2 and was totally useless. So I got a new tip on the warranty. Now the new tip slowly begins to look like picture 2. I wonder if this is normal?
Picture 1 does not appear to be correct because all I see is a single line representing the tip. Assuming that it is supposed to be a chisel-shaped tip with a point on the end, thse tips wear away as they are used because most are made of copper. You can usually file the tip back to its original chisel shape without damaging it.
After filing the end of the tip back into it’s original shape, melt resin core solder onto it. This is called “tinning” a tip and helps them last longer. A tip that is not tinned quickly corrodes and deteriorates.
Electro:
Unfortunately this corrosion is normal. Sometimes “Tinning” the tip will provide protection from the oxidation of the material the tip is made of. Try a damp sponge to wipe off the deposits that accumulate on the tip and put a little solder on the tip to provide protection from the corrosive build up and the natural oxidation of the underlying copper of the tip. Ask Weller if they have an “iron clad” replacement tip for your iron. This product is designed for occasional (one time) use by a home owner, not the heavy duty soldering we hobbiests put them through. So you may want to see if Weller will offer an improved tip for replacement, or ask them for several replacements, since their product is obviously not designed to “live” through the warrantee period.
Good luck, and keep on building that empire!
Will
Yes it’s suppose to represent a chisel-shaped tip. I have updated the picture now so it’s easier to see how it looks like.
it’s normal for this to happen…I replace my tips just about once every two weeks…it’s the price we pay for all the soldering we do…chuck
The tips above about the tip are useful. Once excessive erosion takes place, you can file it to a good point again, usually several times depending on how aggressive you let the erosion get before touching it up with a file. A harder tip should last longer and just buying a new one of any kind is the way to renew an iron that is not working as well as it used to.
Tinning is also very important. You should always store an iron tinned, in order to protect it from corrosion.
One thing not mentioned is to get some tip cleaner and regularly use it. When the iron is hot, you plunge the tip into the cleaner, roll it around to cover the tip on all side, and it brightens up right away. It is a solid that melts briefly on contact with the hot iron, then gels up again when it cools.
In my case, I’ve done lots of soldering, but I don’t seem to have the extreme wear on my tips that others here have noted. It may be that they really are doing a bunch more soldering than I or it may be that my regular use of tip cleaner has some protective effect.
I do know that the tip cleaner has vastly improved my own ability to solder. I doubt I’ll ever work on much brass, but I do just fine now with electrical connections. That didn’t use to be the case before I started using tip cleaner, as I struggled for years to solder properly before I discovered it. I get mine from Radio Shack, but I’m sure it is available elsewhere. It comes in a small tin that is about 1" (2.5cm) in diameter. A little goes a very long way. I’ve just bought another one after using the first one for years working on the wiring on my layout.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Solder will erode the tip, if it is unplated. If the original was plated, then you should wipe it on a damp cellulose sponge to clean it, NEVER file it.
n the case of a plain copper tip, file it as suggested but be prepared to replace it regularly. I have plated tips in the tool-box here that are four or five years old (in usage terms), I haven’t used a plain copper tip in many years, but I recall that we always used to buy them by the dozen.
John
I keep my tips in shape with a file, keep them tinned, and clean. My tips are now several years old.
Nick