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I am trying to solder together an antenna but first I am practicing soldering. Anyone here who solders, I have some questions. Before I ask, I want you to know this:
1. I have been professionally instructed by my electronics and electrical teacher on how to solder.
2. I've watched probably about 20 videos on YouTube about how to solder.
3. I've read a few articles.
But none of the above has cleared what I'm going to ask up...
A) How do I "clean up" the iron's tip? This phenomenon keeps happening where when the iron is off and cool, the tip is rough to the touch, "jaggedy" and dark. When I power up the iron and it gets hot, the tip and shaft turn darker the hotter it gets. Then, when I rub the iron tip onto a wet sponge, the tip immediately gets shiny and nice looking again... What does this mean? Is everything ok?
B) I just bought a new Weller 260Watt/200watt soldering gun for larger projects and I just tried it out... I pressed the trigger and as it began to heat up, I let go of the trigger for a second and the tip "bubbled up" right before my eyes... In other words, it went from smooth to looking like molten metal bubbles all over it. In fact, I saw it creeping up towards the handle as I held the trigger down thereafter. It scared me for a second! What on earth happened? I know they said that the tip is pre-tinned, is that what that was? Is it ok???
C) I seem to be having problems with heat transfer... I keep putting tin on the tip like they say... But in the videos I watched and when I saw my teacher solder, all they did is put the iron on for like 4 seconds and then the solder. If I do that, nothing happens. I have to leave it sitting on the conductor for like 3 minutes before the solder will melt. Why is this? Any pointer? Thank you!
PS: I have been using a 60watt iron. I have NOT been using the 260watt gun the whole time, I just got the gun today.
1. I have been professionally instructed by my electronics and electrical teacher on how to solder.
2. I've watched probably about 20 videos on YouTube about how to solder.
3. I've read a few articles.
But none of the above has cleared what I'm going to ask up...
A) How do I "clean up" the iron's tip? This phenomenon keeps happening where when the iron is off and cool, the tip is rough to the touch, "jaggedy" and dark. When I power up the iron and it gets hot, the tip and shaft turn darker the hotter it gets. Then, when I rub the iron tip onto a wet sponge, the tip immediately gets shiny and nice looking again... What does this mean? Is everything ok?
B) I just bought a new Weller 260Watt/200watt soldering gun for larger projects and I just tried it out... I pressed the trigger and as it began to heat up, I let go of the trigger for a second and the tip "bubbled up" right before my eyes... In other words, it went from smooth to looking like molten metal bubbles all over it. In fact, I saw it creeping up towards the handle as I held the trigger down thereafter. It scared me for a second! What on earth happened? I know they said that the tip is pre-tinned, is that what that was? Is it ok???
C) I seem to be having problems with heat transfer... I keep putting tin on the tip like they say... But in the videos I watched and when I saw my teacher solder, all they did is put the iron on for like 4 seconds and then the solder. If I do that, nothing happens. I have to leave it sitting on the conductor for like 3 minutes before the solder will melt. Why is this? Any pointer? Thank you!
PS: I have been using a 60watt iron. I have NOT been using the 260watt gun the whole time, I just got the gun today.