Soldering Iron Tip Preservation

[Seven64]

I cannot keep a tip on my iron for the life of me!      I tin it every time before i start soldering, and for a while I cleaned and tinned between each component.  It doesnt matter, because it burns up in 2-3 pedals no matter what.  I cant do vero right now because its so dull, and I am sick of buying tips all the time!!!

Is it cheap solder?  A cheap tip?  Too hot (I dont think this is the case cause I can solder transistors and IC's without heating them). 

Its a Radio Shack switchable 15w/30w iron, and Radio Shack 62/36/2 solder.  I buy the 1.5oz reels of solder, and seriously go thru at least 4-5 tips in the time it takes to use 1 reel.

Also, FWIW, I use the steel mesh tip cleaner, not a sponge. 

[DavenPaget]

Of course radio shack's irons are crap .
Go get a hakko 936 clone . You won't need to go through tip changes anymore ( not so often at least )   

[defaced]

You won't get life out of a Radioshack tip.  Been there, and a tip lasted me about 8 hours of soldering before showing wear.  I have since gone to a station and I'm using the same tips I bought with it - two years ago. 

[DavenPaget]

You won't get life out of a Radioshack tip.  Been there, and a tip lasted me about 8 hours of soldering before showing wear.  I have since gone to a station and I'm using the same tips I bought with it - two years ago. 

Mine had the same two tips i bought with mine , 1 year ago 

[John Lyons]

I've got 2 years on the same tip.
I use mine all day, every day.
Xytronics Iron  (Hakko clone)

Radio shack is crap for the most part.
Although their desoldering soldering is great for $10!

[jdub]

+1 to the Radio Shaft $10 desoldering iron.  Best purchase I ever made from them!

[Mark Hammer]

Get a tin of tip tinner.  Desoldering tends to also de-tin soldering tips, with the result that they erode much quicker.  You can buy a tin of tip tinner paste for about $5-7, and it will greatly extend the life of your soldering tip.

[Mac Walker]

I have a Radio Shack iron from the eighties, tip life doesn't seem that bad, but I am using older lead based solder as well, so I don't know.  At any rate the tip on this iron actually gets "consumed" with use, where the tip will flatten out (it's the 1/8" diameter type).  I just take a file to the tip and reshape it, and it's good for another several weeks....

[arawn]

Get a better Iron Weller, Hakko, Tenma doesn't matter much as long as it's a station with heat control.

[Strange]

Sorry to hijack but it is time for me to pick up a new iron. Which Xytronic or Circut Specialist clone (Hakko) would you recommend?

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/solder-stations

http://www.xytronic-usa.com/shop/category.aspx?catid=8

I am slo looking at a fume extractor. Any suggestions?

Is this the Radio Shack desoldering iron getting the rave reviews?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062731#

[John Lyons]

I'm sure all of those Xytronics stations are fine.
Just go with your price range.
The one I have was discontinued.

Yes, that Radio shack desoldering pump is the one I have.
The tips last pretty well but you may as well order a spare tip.
I drilled mine out with a small bit after a year and it became clogged.

[LucifersTrip]

The the 40 watt Radio Shack tips I used would generally start wearing (tip dulling) after about 5 pedals or so...then I would file them to a point in between uses. That could extend the life for many more uses, but if you need the fine point, only 5.   $2 for 5 pedals = .40 per box isn't too bad.

I did that until the iron actually broke many years later.

[DavenPaget]

Circuit specialists , or tenma , you can get entire tenma hot air rework stations on amazon for 89$
CSI's ? Great stuff . I recommend the CSI-STATION-3DLF , because the 30$ station is weak ...
Fume extractor ? Build yourself , not hard at all .

[Strange]

I do not have enough time to build pedals let alone an extractor! 

[DavenPaget]

I do not have enough time to build pedals let alone an extractor! 

... get the CSI's 28$ fume extractor
http://www.circuitspecialists.com/bk486.html

[Strange]

Thanks. Looks like I now know what I want Santa to bring me this year. My only problem will be waiting to crack open the new iron.

[Tacoboy]

If you don't use your iron, put a lot of tin on the tip before turning it off, and let the blob get hard around the tip. It prevents the tip from corrosion, the worst enemy of your iron tip!
Also, don't use a wet sponge for cleaning your tip while soldering. Thermoshock shortens your iron tip life dramatically!
Use these instead (instead of doing the dishes )
While soldering, NEVER put any pressure on the tip!
If you have difficulties soldering a dirty pcb, use some extra flux, it's magic for soldering. But needs cleaning afterwards!
A fine product starts with fine equipment!
Happy pedalbuilding!!!

[DavenPaget]

If you don't use your iron, put a lot of tin on the tip before turning it off, and let the blob get hard around the tip. It prevents the tip from corrosion, the worst enemy of your iron tip!
Also, don't use a wet sponge for cleaning your tip while soldering. Thermoshock shortens your iron tip life dramatically!
Use these instead (instead of doing the dishes )
While soldering, NEVER put any pressure on the tip!
If you have difficulties soldering a dirty pcb, use some extra flux, it's magic for soldering. But needs cleaning afterwards!
A fine product starts with fine equipment!
Happy pedalbuilding!!!

Make sure it isn't a sliver version . it melts .
Use a brass wool .

[Seven64]

trying to talk someone into the hakko 888fx for xmas.  thanks guys.  i think 1 more tip will last me till i get my station.

oh, and +1 on the radio shack desoldering tool.  that thing is awesome!  i still have no idea how to use the desoldering wick i get with mod kits, and don't feel like ill ever need to learn.


also, i killed the most recent tip in 1 project.  pics to follow soon 

[arawn]

Steel wool is just as cheap and easy to get plus it works equally well in my experience.