Soldering Iron Tip Deterioration

Omnipharious · #1 07-12-2011, 03:43 AM

I've only been soldering for about a week or two now, and I've been using a crappy, oxidized turd I found at my house. I think it might have belonged to my dad, but he always takes care of his tools, and that's what he taught me, so I don't know. Well, my grandfather just bought me a quality one; not a Weller or anything, but tenfold the quality of the last one I was using.

Well, I've been using this iron for about two days now, and have only soldered with it three to four hours altogether now, and I just had a look at the tip and I noticed this:

It obviously was a perfectly conical tip when I got it, and now there seem to be a large chunk gone.

I'm no expert, but I take care of it the way my dad (who ran, and did upkeep on all of the electronics at the World Of Coke Atlanta) taught me. I always tin the tip, clean it on a sponge after every solder, and when it's cooled down after use, I lightly sand the oxidation off with 500 grit sandpaper. Am I doing something wrong, or do these replaceable tips actually deteriorate this fast?

i_got_a_mohawk · #2 07-12-2011, 03:56 AM

I have a cheap (£10) soldering iron that I've used for years. Replaceable tip (never had to replace), I keep it tinned but don't sand it. I've got minimal oxidation and certainly nothing like that!

Is it possible that you are running it too hot?

Omnipharious · #3 07-12-2011, 04:09 AM

Maybe. It doesn't have any wattage, or heat control. I have noticed that sometimes when it touches my solder it smokes a lot, and it seems to throw off microscopic bits of solder, like hot oil in a pan. I can't find anywhere on it, or the package it came in what wattage rating it is, or how hot it gets.

i_got_a_mohawk · #4 07-12-2011, 05:29 AM

Just another idea, what kind of solder are you using? I'm assuming you aren't using acid core/plumbing solder?

Omnipharious · #5 07-12-2011, 05:45 AM

My father lent me some until I had a chance to buy some. All it says is that it's lead-free rosin core.

carlos840 · #6 07-12-2011, 05:55 AM

Mine is a cheap b&q one and exactly the same thing is happening to it!

I only used it to put together about 3 basses, so not a massive use!

Phalex · #7 07-12-2011, 07:02 AM

You see the screw in the photo? Loosen it and you can remove the tip. Replacement tips ar pretty darn cheap. 2 days sounds kinda fast to wear out, but they do wear out.

Get a good tip, and you should be cool and the gang.

dbhokie · #8 07-12-2011, 07:27 AM

Not a big deal, shoddy tip, get a new one.

Omnipharious · #9 07-12-2011, 07:33 AM

I understand that the tips are replaceable, but if I'm taking care of them just to have them lose grand chunks after two days of use, the gain of value of being able to replace the tip is gone.

dbhokie · #10 07-12-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnipharious

I understand that the tips are replaceable, but if I'm taking care of them just to have them lose grand chunks after two days of use, the gain of value of being able to replace the tip is gone.

I have soldered thousands of times in my life, I would say the tip you have just happens to be quite shoddy. Personally I have not had one do that so quickly.

I would wager upon replacement that the next tip will last much longer.

Unless the iron is heating it a whole lot more than it is supposed to.

R. Laevinus · #11 07-12-2011, 08:09 AM

I wonder if maybe you're not over-maintaining it. I totally agree with tinning and sponging; I think that the sanding might be a bit excessive though.

Although to me it looks like you just have a crappy tip. Sometimes you'll get a lemon; normally they won't wear out that fast.

To be honest, I usually can't be bothered to sponge my tips or tin them before each joint; usually I just tin them when I start a job and go. When the oxidation builds up too much, I just take a razor blade to the hot tip and shave myself a new, clean one. Even with such abuse, I can usually get three or four jobs - maybe 12-16 hours use - out of each tip.

Sardine · #12 07-12-2011, 08:22 AM

You're doning everything right in terms of maintenance, just make sure you re-tin the tip after you sand/file off the oxidation. But if you're using one of those radio shack irons with the triangular handle, just be warned that they come with really crappy tips. I had to reshape mine after almost every soldering job, and then the iron burned out (after heavy use, to be fair).

bjabass · #13 07-12-2011, 08:29 AM

Funny, I have made a living with a soldering iron for many years and never seen one that didn't do that. Some faster than others, but spare tips are always in my toolkit. I sand or grind a new point on until they are used up, then start a new one.

aborgman · #14 07-12-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnipharious

I understand that the tips are replaceable, but if I'm taking care of them just to have them lose grand chunks after two days of use, the gain of value of being able to replace the tip is gone.

Then buy a good iron that doesn't use tips made out of recycled re-bar.

It's a cheap iron, with crappy quality tips. It probably had a small void in it from manufacturing - and when that opened up it was all over.

...and don't sand tips, unless you need to re-shape. It's just unnecessarily wearing it.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #15 07-12-2011, 10:13 AM

Replace the tip. Tips are inexpensive.

Don't sand the new one. When you're done with your soldering session, tin it and wipe it off with a damp sponge, then shut it off.

madmatt · #16 07-12-2011, 10:16 AM

My soldering iron did the same thing. It still works.

TheSuzie · #17 07-12-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

I wonder if maybe you're not over-maintaining it. I totally agree with tinning and sponging; I think that the sanding might be a bit excessive though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

Replace the tip. Tips are inexpensive.

Don't sand the new one. When you're done with your soldering session, tin it and wipe it off with a damp sponge, then shut it off.

These guys have it. I made my living as a tech for years and never sanded a tip. Sanding cuts right through the protective plating on the tip.

BTW are you using an acid core solder by mistake? Rosin cores are for electronics and many small household jobs. Acid is usually for sheet metal, rod work and some pipe work using a torch or high wattage iron/gun.

S

Phalex · #18 07-12-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

These guys have it. I made my living as a tech for years and never sanded a tip. Sanding cuts right through the protective plating on the tip.

BTW are you using an acid core solder by mistake? Rosin cores are for electronics and many small household jobs. Acid is usually for sheet metal, rod work and some pipe work using a torch or high wattage iron/gun.

S

You just moved up three whole notches Suzie!

TheSuzie · #19 07-12-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

You just moved up three whole notches Suzie!

There are notches above the top notch?

Phalex · #20 07-12-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

There are notches above the top notch?

Apparently 3.......