Homebrew PCBs

On Sat, 07 Jan 2006 01:35:42 +0100, bob_ledoux <bobledoux@...>  
wrote:

> I just purchased a new tip for my Antex 15 watt soldering iron.
>
>
> I can't get the tip to tin.  It melts solder well but solder won't
>
> stick to the tip.  Apparently, the new tips are iron coated copper
>
> with a chrome plate.
>
>
> Is this something new?  Are tips now being made so they don't hold
>
> solder?  I used it to solder an SOIC chip with no problem, but I can't
>
> carry a small amount of solder from solder roll to the board.  The
>
> solder just melts, leaving a ball on the end of the roll of solder.


No, the tips are stil made to hold solder.
The crome plate doesn't, but that should not be one the last few mm of the  
tip.

I think you need some of that special flux for wetting tips if normal flux  
and solder won't work.
Don't use anything mechanical on the tip or you'll damage the iron plating.

ST