On Fri, 2011-02-04 at 16:42 -0500, Rob Butts wrote: > I have a new tip to my iron and it has turned > black and more or less reples the solder. The solder just beads up on > the tip and drops off. I'm sure we didn't condition the tip right but > what's going on when it's black and repels the solder? Is the temp too > high? How can I get it to that shiny silver solder sticking to it > condition? The black is oxidation, probably due to leaving the iron switched on for excessive periods without use, or due to having the iron too hot. Is your iron temperature adjustable? If so, try turning it down a bit. Lead free processes need a higher temperature, so tips will tend to oxidise sooner than on a leaded process. (I personally try to use Leaded solder as much as I can). If it is badly oxidised, you need to clean the tip using some kind of proprietary tip cleaner. I would suggest something like: http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&q=tip+cleaner&cid=15376765951279036568&ei=g3VMTbbPCKmszAXLzoj-Aw&sa=title&ved=0CA8Q8wIwAjgA#p or http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=2428&utm_source=DCC_Supplies&utm_medium=site_feed&utm_campaign=regular (In particular that last one should be good). You shouldn't use them all the time, just when the tip gets really bad. Between thorough cleaning, you keep the tip nice and shiny with a wet sponge - usually part of the soldering iron stand. Having wiped the tip clean, apply some solder (ideally with a non-aggressive flux) to the tip. Probably others will be able to provide better pointers ;). (And will point out if I have made any errors in mine). Good luck! -- Peter Clifton Electrical Engineering Division, Engineering Department, University of Cambridge, 9, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FA Tel: +44 (0)7729 980173 - (No signal in the lab!) Tel: +44 (0)1223 748328 - (Shared lab phone, ask for me)
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