[Vanhackspace] Solder woes. WAS: fuzebox

[Dave Dillabough]

All you should need to keep the tip clean is a damp sponge. Just wipe the
tip each time before you solder a connection. If the tip has stuff stuck
to it or burned on then scape it of with a screwdriver or knife and then
retin (apply some solder to )the tip. If you keep getting a buildup it is
either something in your solder or the tip is getting way too hot. I would
recommend using 63/37 electronic solder which is 63% tin 37% lead with a
resin core. You should not need any extra flux with this unless you are
doing SMT work. The solder that you have is a lead free copper/silver/tin
solder which is harder on the tip, requires a higher working temperature
and you must also clean off all of the flux after you are finished
soldering. You don't need to remove the resin based flux.

On Mon, January 11, 2010 5:03 pm, John Howard wrote:
> The tips for my old Weller are nickel plated copper. The solder I've
> been using is WS700 (I started with a 1LB spool). I got some
> flux/cleaner from Lee's the other day which seems to help... but upon
> rereading the solder specs http://www.qualitek.com/SnAgCu_WS700_TDS.pdf)
> it says I need to clean with 60'c water... ? Anyone had to clean their
> tips or their work with hot water after soldering?
>
>> If the tips are copper corrosion is normal. Just keep filing them to the
>> shape that you want and retin afterwards. If the tips are steel clad
>> then
>> they should last for months with minimal corrosion unless your tip is
>> getting really hot. I wouldn't expect this with a 25 watter though.
>> Temperature controlled is the way to go for many more reasons than just
>> tip life. Buy a decent station like the Weller an it will last you a
>> lifetime.
>>
>> I'm assuming that you are only using resin based solders. Don't use
>> anything with acid in it unless you are a plumber.
>>
>>
>>> http://www.belogic.com/uzebox/
>>>> But first I need a new soldering iron tip - the flux keeps corroding
>>>> my
>>>> tips! It's a 25w iron... could it be too hot? I'm thining of getting a
>>>> 'light dimmer cable' (7$?) and run it cooler. Any ideas?
>>>>
>
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