Synth-DIY Yahoo! Groups Archives

Thread

Help about solder bits

2005-02-01 by Naveed Alam

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.

What can I do now. As the bit is electroplated, I cannot use a sand paper to clean it.

Please help me and give some good suggestion. Thanks a lot.

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Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Help about solder bits

2005-02-01 by Stefan Trethan

On Mon, 31 Jan 2005 22:15:08 -0800 (PST), Naveed Alam
<naveedguy2@...> wrote:

>
> 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.
> What can I do now. As the bit is electroplated, I cannot use a sand
> paper to clean it.
> Please help me and give some good suggestion. Thanks a lot.

You might try chemical tip cleaner (a sort of flux).
But i fear you have killed it.

You can try carefull scraping with a piece of plastic (e.g. broken cd
case).
If you need to use a abrasive as the last try to revive it try a abrasive
plastic pad, or a bit of abrasive kitchen cleaner (powder or liquid) and a
rag. It takes off less material than sandpaper.

Get a temperature controlled soldering station (or at least a good iron).

ST

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Help about solder bits

2005-02-01 by Leon Heller

----- Original Message -----
From: "Naveed Alam" <naveedguy2@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 6:15 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.
>
> What can I do now. As the bit is electroplated, I cannot use a sand paper
> to clean it.
>
> Please help me and give some good suggestion. Thanks a lot.

Most tips are coated with iron. You shouldn't use sand paper. The best stuff
for cleaning bits that won't take solder is Multicore Tip Tinner/Cleaner
(TTC1). It's basically a very active flux mixed with solder powder and comes
in a little tin. I keep it attached to my soldering iron holder. You should
be able to get it from any of the big suppliers like Farnell, Digikey, etc.

Leon

Leon

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Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Help about solder bits

2005-02-01 by Earl T. Hackett, Jr.

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.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]