On 2/4/2011 1:42 PM, Rob Butts wrote:
high? How can I get it to that shiny silver solder sticking to it
condition?
The oxidation on your tip can be polished off with fine sandpaper (400
and higher). It was expected with older irons that the tip would be
filed back as it corrodes. This is generally a bad idea today, because
your tip metal contaminates the solder alloy, leaving solder composition
and properties you can't be sure are stable.
A new tip is a joy to use and should hold up well to the fluxes and
alloys used today. In a jam, polish the tip you have under running
water (so you're not breathing lead dust) and be sure to flux and tin
this tip as soon as you get it hot the first time.
This routine also works when you get the tip otherwise contaminated
(burned plastic, etc.).
The common assumption that you need higher temps with lead-free solder
may be wrong. These solders don't flow as well, but they also
contaminate easily. Hotter temperatures make this second factor a
serious concern. If you're doing lead free, you have to have excellent
flux or your iron will always be a mess, and you joints unpredictable.
Phil Taylor
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