>
>
> My wife does stained glass and she would shoot me if I put a wet sponge
> anywher near her irons. they make them start to oxidize and in short
> order they won't remain tinned.
>
> She uses a salaluminiac (sp?) block. one takes the hot iron and rubs it
> on this block, adds flux, solder to the tip and then uses the solder
> almost like a cleaner on the block.
>
> I have to say, my $3.99 iron may take awhile to get hot, but I know what
> you mean when you say leaping solder.
>
> The other thing she has that I can use is liquid flux. if you have ever
> tried to solder large copper connectors or wire the difference when
> brushing on some flux is unbelievable.
>
> normal cautions apply, don't use acid flux, it may work quickly on old
> corroded stuff, but will also eat away at it. my plumbers acid flux is
> just for emergencies. I think it's active ingredient is either sulphuric
> acid or hydrochloric acid, it's been a long awhile....
>
>
> Dave
>
>
>
i have such salmiac stones too.. but never used them.
i thought they are only for plain copper tips not the coated ones?
i use a wet sponge all the time (ok sometimes it is dry) or a paper towel
(dry).
recently i made a "rupper sponge" of hight temperature silicon. i have seen
this somewhere.
but i am not satisfied with the result. the wet sponge is much better.
(my dictionary says "salmiak" is ammonium cloride)
uses your wife coated tips? i do not think coated tips are used with
salmiac.
also why then so many stations sold for electronics have a holder for a
sponge (to be wetted).
it is just under the holder for the iron.
i think the wet sponge is the standard cleaning for electronics work.
if it damages the irons why should the manufacturers put a sponge on their
iron stands.
if you need brush-on flux try to get colophony / resin flux.
buy either a paste to apply directly or buy the solid crystals.
then simply solve it in alcohol and brush on.
you can also "paint" a fresh pcb with it to ease soldering and protect from
corrosion.
i don't fully understand what you mean with "leaping solder".
you should only use the iron to heat the joint, and apply the solder to the
joint not to the iron.
i often siply toss of the solder if it collects on the tip (this occurs
when soldering wires more often).
this is much faster than a sponge. and if you get it right it leaves just
the right amount of solder to aid
in heat conduction at the joint. if you clean it with the sponge it often
needs some tinning to get fast heating..
I think the tips i use have some sort of iron coating.
i have seen a diagram on the www but have no url any more.
it showed a amazing number of different coating layers on a good tip.
st