Soldering Iron Question

[mike33469]

I have both a 30 watt and a 45 watt iron, approx. how long should the tips last? I use both a pointed and a chisel point. The reason I'm asking is because they don't seem to last very long, maybe I'm doing something wrong.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willist

I have both a 30 watt and a 45 watt iron, approx. how long should the tips last? I use both a pointed and a chisel point. The reason I'm asking is because they don't seem to last very long, maybe I'm doing something wrong.

What do you mean they don't last very long? Do you mean the iron isn't heating or do you mean the tips are actually wearing out?

Andre

[grayfox1119]

First, when you say the tips don't last long, how long "do" they last on avaerage? I have had tips last well over a year. The first thing you must do with a new tip is to "tin" the tip. This means that when it heats up enough to melt solder, you melt the solder all over the tip. Also, as you solder, you should clean the tip on a dampened sponge. Most soldering stations come with a small spone pad that sits in a tray. Keep it dampened, and keep the tip clean after each soldering use.
This has served me well for 53 years.

***

[mike33469]

Yes the tips seem to wear out. I just purchased a soldering stand that has a little sponge, which I'm using but I did not "tin" the tips I'll try that the next time I replace a tip. Thanks.

[ben10ben]

I've found that if you don't tin the tip when it's brand new, it will quite literally disintegrate before your eyes. The protective plating wears off of the tip pretty quickly, and the soft copper underneath doesn't get along too well with high temperatures and solder. I've had perfectly pointed tips turn into flat tips within 2-3 hours of soldering time as a result of not tinning.

I don't think that I've ever replaced a properly tinned tip, but then I don't use my irons all that much. I've replaced the tip on my gun about 3 times in less than a year, though.

[Anonymous]

I really believe that it's in the quailty of the Iron itself. Weller makes some very nice regulated temp soldering stations, that while on the expensive side, last and work well for years. The integrated base has a place for the pencil to rest in plus a receptical for the sponge for tip cleaning.

Of course I've been in the electronics biz and have been in a past life repairing circuitboards down to the IC level, that's why I'm a firm believer in the Wellers.

[Anonymous]

Like NYC56 said, it depends on the quality of the tip. You can get cheapie tips that are nothing more than a piece of copper/metal or an iron clad tip which is plated (with steel?) that will literally last a life time.

It's funny how there are soldering irons out there that are 1/3 the cost of a good tip. You can do the logic. [:)]

[Anonymous]

i have a 100 wat soldering iron and the tip lasted 20+ years. it just disintegrated on me the other day and had to buy a whole new iron(parts are no longer in circulation for the brand and model i have).

[challenger3802]

I solder for most of the day at work (with a 45W iron), on average a tip will last for 4 months of continuous use. The iron is left "on" over the weekend and the tip is cleaned after every bit of soldering.

When a tip starts to go you'll notice an extra build up of solder on the opposite side of the tip (to which normally does the soldering), then after a week or so of use when the tip is cleaned you'll notice that part of the tip is missing. From here on in you're on borrowed time!

Ian