Not sure of the material but most electronic shops (at least here in Oz) sell them. Most of the you moisten with water. Although some tip manufactures recommend a dry wipe as the cold water can cause thermal shock to the tip and the plating can come away. Personally I have not seen this happen but then again I was taught and used to teach the dry method. You can use a lint fee tissue to dry wipe the tip.Originally posted by PDubya@Apr 3 2006, 03:05 PM
Apologies if this is more obvious than I think it is, but is there some special sponge material that you use for your soldering iron? I can't imagine using synthetic due to the temperature, but figured I'd come to the source!
Thanks!!!
[post=15739]Quoted post[/post]
mmmmm I can't see a problem soldering with shorts. it is the flicking of the hot moten solder that is a problem.Originally posted by beenthere@Apr 3 2006, 05:28 PM
Hi,
Natural sponges have an organic content that reeks when heated up to soldering iron. temperatures. Synthertic is the way to go. I've even used a wet folded paper towel for the purpose.
I had never heard of thermal shock loostening the tip plating. I've got an old Weller WTCP station still going. In 24 years at a shop, I can recall changing the tip on this station perhaps three times.
Still, if you want to be really safe, just flow on a bit of solder and snap the tip to fling off the excess. Makes interesting spots on the floor - not to be done over rugs. Never solder while wearing shorts!
[post=15742]Quoted post[/post]
You also need to think about where your feet are. Molten solder on your sock is hard on your sock, and worse yet, hard on your ankle. You can get solder off your skin really fast, but when it flows around the threads in your sock, you'll get a blister, guaranteed. This is the voice of experience.Originally posted by beenthere@Apr 3 2006, 12:28 AM
Hi,
Natural sponges have an organic content that reeks when heated up to soldering iron. temperatures. Synthertic is the way to go. I've even used a wet folded paper towel for the purpose.
I had never heard of thermal shock loostening the tip plating. I've got an old Weller WTCP station still going. In 24 years at a shop, I can recall changing the tip on this station perhaps three times.
Still, if you want to be really safe, just flow on a bit of solder and snap the tip to fling off the excess. Makes interesting spots on the floor - not to be done over rugs. Never solder while wearing shorts!
[post=15742]Quoted post[/post]
Never, ever, saturate it, it will cool your tip.[...] and saturate with water. [...]
Can I ask what soldering iron you are using? Just curious.i doubt that a wet sponge would cool the tip as much as touching the cool leads,cool solder, or terminal. My iron has a thermometer and it dont drop when i wipe the tip.
I have a weller gun (60/100) watts, a weller 35 watt pencil, and the temperature controlled pencil from radio shack, and a small rechargable gun from radio shack thats a few years old.Can I ask what soldering iron you are using? Just curious.
Dave
Well equiped for soldering! I'm only enquiring because we need a new soldering iron in the lab at work, the two we currently have are in violation of many H&S regulations (!!), and I'm looking into purchasing a couple of new ones soon. We only want it for general assembly work, suitable for lab and on-site conditions. Any recommendations from the selection you possess?I have a weller gun (60/100) watts, a weller 35 watt pencil, and the temperature controlled pencil from radio shack, and a small rechargable gun from radio shack thats a few years old.
Scroll down ($45.33), is this the iron you are talking about here?i like the weller 35 watt pencil
Ok thanks for the suggestions. I'll have a look at some local prices tomorrow at work (don't want to be shipping them in from around the world when I can get them round the corner!)yes thats it, ive had one for years and love it for pcb work
by Jake Hertz
by Jake Hertz
by Jake Hertz
by Jake Hertz