Adam,
Have you been diligent about keeping the tip "tinned"? This is where you melt a
bit of solder on the tip. It should be done just prior to turning off the iron,
leaving the "tinning" on the tip, and as the iron begins it's heating process. I
also tin during a session when necessary. Short tip life can be attributed to
either using to much heat for the type of tip you are using or leaving the tip
"dry".
Here is a good link on the subject.
http://www.platoproducts.com/howtotin.htmScott
Adam Schabtach wrote:
> A question for those of you who have done lots of soldering with Weller
> irons: What sort of life expectancy do the tips have? I'm partway through my
> eighth MOTM kit and the small conical tip for my Weller seems to be wearing
> out. (I've use it somewhat longer than for these eight kits, but not much.)
> The first couple of millimeters refuse to wet with solder any longer, and it
> doesn't seem to heat up a junction effectively any longer. It looks a little
> brownish, and I can't seem to clean it with the usual damp sponge.
>
> Is there any way to revive these tips? I know that you're not supposed to
> file them. But it's Saturday night on a three-day weekend, which means I
> can't get to the electronics store for a replacement until Tuesday at the
> earliest, and here I am almost finished with a 380 Quad LFO...
>
> Thanks--
> --Adam
>
>
>
>
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