Solder tip oxidation - can it be saved?

Steverd

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Can this solder tip be saved?

It's a Weller WESD51 - Temp 725f
Man it just will not melt anything. I know it has oxidation on the tip.
Can it be cleaned with alcohol and some sand paper?

I think what got me into trouble is my Craftsman lead-free solder that is .062
Looks like I'm off to Radio Shack in the morning to get something different!

I do use the wet sponge to try to clean the tip.. Looks like that didn't work huh!

solder-tip.jpg
 
This is what I use now instead of a damp sponge...
241856.jpg

http://unicornelex.com/vellemanvtstcsoldertipcleaner.aspx

And I haven't had any oxidation problems since switching.
 
Yup that or if its super bad sandpaper, wire wheel on a bench grinder, or the like.

Dont forget, when you are done using our iron clean it then re-tin it (just apply solder all over it. If solder wont stick, its too dirty and needs cleaned more) That will keep it from oxidizing so bad and the tip will last alot longer.
 
I thought that these type of cleaners are for cleaning solder off of the tips, but not for oxidation? I doubt RS sells these huh??
 
That tip has damaged plating. It'll never be right again. Best to replace with a fresh one.

Oh....lead free solder is garbage. Seriously....its the devil. Run away screaming....
 
I have found BRASSO works good to clean the crap off the tip, especially if the plating is not very good. Just remember to do this when the tip is stone cold!
 
That tip has damaged plating. It'll never be right again. Best to replace with a fresh one.

Oh....lead free solder is garbage. Seriously....its the devil. Run away screaming....

Heh, didn't even look at the picture 'til you posted this. Yeah, that tip is pretty beat. You can still solder with it but once you replace it with something new you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. ;)

And that solder cleaner I pointed to is tons better than a wet sponge imho. I said the same thing once I tried one... why didn't I switch sooner?!?!
 
I rarely use the sponge, i got one of those brass wire cups as well and love it! i also always re-tin my tip.


i think the sweet spot is 625-700 anything more than that and you're just going to burn out your iron (element or tips) and burn up pads (plus i would expect a good amount of solder spatter due to the high temp).

I keep mine set at 650 and crank it up to 700 when desoldering from time to time (but now i finally picked up one of those cheap radioshack desoldering iron so no more desoldering for my hakko hopefully). Every iron is different tho so some might run hot some might run cool. not every iron has a temp setting either some just have 1/2/3/4 or I/II/III/IV/V ect....

Brasso huh ken, interesting, very interesting. My dad always used that stuff on the pipes of his Harley BITD, i still use it to this day for odds and ends.
 
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Can this solder tip be saved?

It's a Weller WESD51 - Temp 725f
Man it just will not melt anything. I know it has oxidation on the tip.
Can it be cleaned with alcohol and some sand paper?

I think what got me into trouble is my Craftsman lead-free solder that is .062
Looks like I'm off to Radio Shack in the morning to get something different!

I do use the wet sponge to try to clean the tip.. Looks like that didn't work huh!

View attachment 112864

Steward... i've been soldering for more than 35 yrs...take that tip...slip it on a dremel... take 2000 grit wet and dry sand paper and lightly sand the tip till it's shiney..then dip that tip in soldering flux and use REAL solder and TIN the TIP WITH REAL SOLDER not that BULLSH*T non-lead stuff.... i have a metcal $1000 desoldering station, a weller TC-201 station and a Gordak Hot Air Station...and i NEVER use LEADFREE solder... that makes yer life and work more hell..stick to what has worked for over 80yrs... .. and YES..USE A WET SPONGE And Your Brass Cleaner Bowl.

Heres how it works BOYS..pay attention... you heat your iron..YOU wipe your Iron...you flux your tip..then you TIN your Tip..then you wipe and repeat... TWICE! then your tip will outlast the NEXT idiot who says he can solder. :)


i been doing that way for 35 yrs and have only had to replace my weller tip twice in the entire life of my weller... you use half of the solder spool to keep it tinned..the rest is WORK SOLDER.... PERIOD.


END OF LINE.

Daniel.
 
Great advice everyone!!!

I replaced that damn lead free solder with a 60/40 standard from RS.
OMG what a world of difference!!!! I will never buy lead free solder again!
 
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