On Fri, 3 Aug 2001
jpotter@... wrote:
> How often should you replace soldering iron tips? Is there some way
> to tell they're going? If it matters - I've got a Weller WTCPT.
If you don't use too hot an iron, the tip will last a long, long time.
My Weller I bought in 1984 got a new tip last year, mainly bacause I
wanted a narrower tip. The old one is still quite usable. Of course, I
do not run an iron above 600F (315C); in fact I usually set it to 550F.
Too hot and it runs the risk of burning up the PC board. The usual
symptoms are pads and traces begin to lift from the board. My old rule
is if the flux boils, the iron is too hot.
Crow
/∗∗/