[sdiy] Cheap but reliable soldering iron

[Oakley Sound]

 > Antex X25, dead simple 25W iron.

I've been using the X and now XS for over 20 years. I know it well and 
have been very happy with it...

Until recently. Antex changed their bit design a few years ago. Most new 
bits you buy now are these new design. The old design was a dull grey 
split pin type arrangement. It was a pain to get on and off but the bits 
lasted a long time. The new ones, a very shiny simple tube with some 
sort of copper spring inside, are a breeze to take on and off and don't 
clag up inside. However, I'm going through them like never before. The 
tip is fine at first but the section where the barrel thins is corroding 
really fast. It then flakes off and the flaky section grows towards the tip.

I haven't changed the way I work. I haven't changed the solder I work 
with in over ten years. I do, however, have my iron for around three to 
four hours a day and sometimes a lot more. But this hasn't changed either.

My current tip has lasted 6 weeks if that. Actually, I think I'm going 
take a photo of the tip and send it in to Antex and see what they say.

Tony

Oakley Sound Synthesisers                    http://www.oakleysound.com

My Music                                http://takla-makan.bandcamp.com