As another post mentioned, a tip cleaner will fix the present situation. When you're in the market for a new iron, look for one with rhodium plating on the tip. I have a 70 w temperature controlled Weller that I've been using for almost 30 years and it's still as clean and shiny as the day I bought it.
Then on second thought, maybe that's why they're plating with iron now...
----- Original Message -----
From: Naveed Alam
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 1:15 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Help about solder bits
I bought a solder bit that seemed to be electroplated with a metal other than copper.
It worked fine at the beginning but the soldering iron got too hot (40W).
Now the bit has gone black and is not transferring heat to the joint as it did at the beginning.
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