Advice needed:

[N1SQB]

Greetings!
I am in need of some advice. I’m gonna be doing some PC board work on an older ham radio soon. My problem is, I keep going through soldering iron tips constantly and they are not lasting long. What variable soldering iron can anyone recommend to avoid this problem? I have been using the cheaper 30 watt over the counter ones. Tips get worn out too quick even with Constant cleaning. I feel I might need to invest in something with better quality. Your suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Manny

 

[KK4JUG]

You seem to have almost answered your own question. I'm not sure what an "over-the-counter" soldering iron is but sticking with the brand names would be a start.

 

[nd5y]

You are cleaning the tips wrong.

 

[N1SQB]

I'm not sure what an "over-the-counter" soldering iron is”

WELL, ummm…as the phrase suggests, it’s a soldering iron that can be purchased over the counter. It’s that simple.’. I purchased one from Home Depot and another from Lowes “over the counter” as I do not do a lot of soldering. Each project that I have done however, has made me replace tips at least twice. It was suggested to me that I try using a variable heat soldering iron where the heat can be controlled. That is where this post comes in. I want advice on what brand of variable heating soldering station is best or is recommended. I like making informed decisions and respect the suggestions from actual users.

Manny

 

[AC5A]

I would invest in a solder station by Weller. That’s all I’ve ever used in the past within my profession and hobbies. You will eventually need to replace tips as this is the nature of the beast. Most solder irons sold in stores or part supply stores are nothing more than a “wood etcher”. Lol

 

[N1SQB]

I would invest in a solder station by Weller. That’s all I’ve ever used in the past within my profession and hobbies. You will eventually need to replace tips as this is the nature of the beast. Most solder irons sold in stores or part supply stores are nothing more than a “wood etcher”. Lol

Excellent. That’s what I was looking for. I’ve never owned a variable one. I will search that brand.

Thanks

Manny

 

[AK9R]

The Hakko FX-888 series has a good reputation. Affordable, temperature controlled, replaceable tips in different sizes and shapes. Available from Amazon and other retailers.

FX-888DX Soldering Station

STATION,SDRG,DIGITAL,ESD,BLUE/YELLOW,FX-8801,FX-888DX The HAKKO FX-888DX Digital Soldering Station improves the user interface from the FX-888D using a more intuitive method for adjusting temperature and includes a parameter lock to prevent accidental digital calibration of the station when...

hakkousa.com

 

[AC5A]

Excellent. That’s what I was looking for. I’ve never owned a variable one. I will search that brand.

Thanks

Manny

👍🏼 73’

 

[KK4JUG]

WELL, ummm…as the phrase suggests, it’s a soldering iron that can be purchased over the counter.

Manny

There's no restriction on soldering irons and they're not regulated so they're all sold over the counter.

 

[prcguy]

The key to tip longevity is keeping it tinned at all times and turning off the iron when not in use. When turning it on, as soon as it will melt solder clean the tip with a damp, not wet sponge and coat with solder and don't clean that off until just before you solder something. Right after soldering anything coat the tip before putting the iron back in the holder.

I've had a lot of solder school training and at one point was a certified inspector for solder up to weapon spec, just short of NASA spec. I probably have some soldering iron tips around here that are going on 40yrs old and they are perfectly good with no erosion or pitting because I keep them tinned all the time. My favorite soldering iron of all time is the Weller W-TCP now considered vintage. When I worked for Hughes Aircraft that's all we had, no temp control except for the tip you select and they rarely broke or gave any trouble and Hughes probably had thousands of them. I recently acquired a Hako 3 stage solder/desoldering station with temp control and its ok but I still love my old Weller.

 

[N1SQB]

There's no restriction on soldering irons and they're not regulated so they're all sold over the counter.

Not true. If I order them online, they come from a warehouse, not over the counter.

 

[N1SQB]

The key to tip longevity is keeping it tinned at all times and turning off the iron when not in use. When turning it on, as soon as it will melt solder clean the tip with a damp, not wet sponge and coat with solder and don't clean that off until just before you solder something. Right after soldering anything coat the tip before putting the iron back in the holder.

I've had a lot of solder school training and at one point was a certified inspector for solder up to weapon spec, just short of NASA spec. I probably have some soldering iron tips around here that are going on 40yrs old and they are perfectly good with no erosion or pitting because I keep them tinned all the time. My favorite soldering iron of all time is the Weller W-TCP now considered vintage. When I worked for Hughes Aircraft that's all we had, no temp control except for the tip you select and they rarely broke or gave any trouble and Hughes probably had thousands of them. I recently acquired a Hako 3 stage solder/desoldering station with temp control and its ok but I still love my old Weller.

Appreciate the advice and the story you shared!👍

 

[KK4JUG]

Not true. If I order them online, they come from a warehouse, not over the counter.

You've got to be kidding. Over the counter is a concept, not a physical action.

I'm through with this one. Don't think it hasn't been fun because it hasn't.

 

[N1SQB]

You've got to be kidding. Over the counter is a concept, not a physical action.

I'm through with this one. Don't think it hasn't been fun because it hasn't.

To YOU it’s a concept. Maybe I have a different view of it. That is not the point or focus of my post. Maybe then you should stop trying to correct people when the topic is needing advice not “I’m not sure what over the counter means” which was just a term I used. If you can’t give good advice, stay off my post. I’m thankful to others that simply answered my question and gave me good suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[buddrousa]

Sorry to inform you that this is not your post it is a public forum.

 

[N1SQB]

Sorry to inform you that this is not your post it is a public forum.

Ha ha ha…oh man…All I needed was advice. I got what I needed. Comments like yours or his don’t answer my question. That was and is the point. I got my answer, moving on.

 

[AK9R]

I got what I needed.

That being the case, this thread is locked.