How do you keep your soldering irons clean?

[RNAF]

Hi all!

This seems the best forum to discuss this matter.

I have a simple soldering iron which I use for small soldering work. However, the smaller it all gets the cleaner the tip has to be. Now I've been sanding the tip several times, although the manual tells me I shouldn't. I don't know a different way to keep the soldering tip clean.

How do you keep your soldering iron's tip clean?

Cheers!

[lazy-b]

Never Sand or File the tip of your Soldering Iron, You Ruin the Special Coating on the tip of soldering iron......

I use a Brass Wool , (this look like Tiny Spring made of Brass Material ) or use a Fine Brass Brush........cause a solder can not stick easily on a Brass Material.

[RNAF]

Lazy-b, do you happen to have a picture of what you use?

Thanks for your input!

[lazy-b]

The Brass Wool look like a Bunch of Curly Spring........There is also a STEEL WOOL or STAINLESS WOOL use in the Kitchen for cleaning up the Carbon Build-up in a Frying Pan.

You can see my BRASS WOOL in this video, its a GOLD color located on top of my soldering station. it located between my Laptop and a Lamp.......

Hope you have a Fast Eye, as I pan the camera from LCD to Signal Generator ........you need to press Stop and Start to Catch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVXO2Uz3s9g&feature=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVi2x0ztibc&feature=channel

[Richard Ingram]

I use something like this:
http://www.curiousinventor.com/store/product/2

Works well for me.

[Tomapowa]

Here's a similar idea to the link above but a DIY solution...
http://www.n0ss.net/soldering_iron_tip_cleaner.pdf

I also find myself using tip cleaner/tinner on my larger (50W+) irons...
http://store.sra-solder.com/product.php?xProd=6445
This works excellent on newly sanded/cleaned tips. As someone already mentioned, only sand/file tips when they are excessively dirty/oxidized, then apply tinner. Once tinned, a wipe of the tip on a wet sponge or that steel-wool-like cleaner should suffice.

[lazy-b]

This is Exactly what I use as Posted by Richard Ingram thru its link.

Look like this is the Best Cleaning Soldering for me.

[rich smith]

Good units have iron plated tips and are NEVER sanded. For keeping the tip clean just keep it tinned and wipe against a paper towel.

Hi all!

This seems the best forum to discuss this matter.

I have a simple soldering iron which I use for small soldering work. However, the smaller it all gets the cleaner the tip has to be. Now I've been sanding the tip several times, although the manual tells me I shouldn't. I don't know a different way to keep the soldering tip clean.

How do you keep your soldering iron's tip clean?

Cheers!

[Tomapowa]

Good units have iron plated tips and are NEVER sanded. For keeping the tip clean just keep it tinned and wipe against a paper towel.

Actually, Weller tips are made using a copper core which is then electro-plated with iron to extend its life. The non-working end of the tip is then plated with nickel for protection against corrosion and then chrome plated to prevent the solder from adhering except where desired. The wettable, workable part of the tip is then tin covered. A good quality tip should last several months before it starts corroding... where then you can sand/file and re-tin if you'd like to get more life out of it. The key to keeping a good soldering tip is to clean & tin often as most already mentioned. I like to use the steel-wool cleaning method over the sponge (don't have to keep the sponge/towel wet)

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/electronic_applications/Weller/instructions/Tip%20Care%20and%20Use.pdf

[rich smith]

See? I DO learn quite a bit from you. :)

I remember 30 years ago Radio Shack sold handles/elements (actually Unger) and iron plated tips. They were incredible for thru hole and SMD. In fact much better than high end temp controlled Weller stations costing 10x more.

Then one day they appended "a" to the part number and, although package still said iron plated, it was obvious they were not. They had about 30 min life as apposed to original 200-300 hrs. I was enraged and boycotted RS for 10 yrs for false advertising. Then suddenly, just before Weller took over Unger and the line was dropped, the original tips re-appeared. I stocked up on tips and elements again.

PS Used wet sponge for many years until I discovered there was no advantage over dry rag or paper towel.

Actually, Weller tips are made using a copper core which is then electro-plated with iron to extend its life. The non-working end of the tip is then plated with nickel for protection against corrosion and then chrome plated to prevent the solder from adhering except where desired. The wettable, workable part of the tip is then tin covered. A good quality tip should last several months before it starts corroding... where then you can sand/file and re-tin if you'd like to get more life out of it. The key to keeping a good soldering tip is to clean & tin often as most already mentioned. I like to use the steel-wool cleaning method over the sponge (don't have to keep the sponge/towel wet)

[Tomapowa]

Re: temperature controlled irons, I own many... some better than others (Hakko 928 my fav) and the one thing I do like about it is that in between soldering, I can turn the down the temp slightly, as I have found this extends the life of the tip (oxidization appears less).

Funny you mentioned Ungar too... I have a few of those hanging around still and recently purchased a few elements on Ebay. I used Ungar irons exclusively when I used to do stained-glass work (great consistent & quick temp with minimal temp recovery) and occasionally use them for customer repairs.

[RNAF]

Thanks you guys for the help, now I know what to get to keep my soldering tips clean and neat! Have to get a new tip now though :p

Cheers

[alex.guzun]

This is Exactly what I use as Posted by Richard Ingram thru its link.

Look like this is the Best Cleaning Soldering for me.

yes.. i use this bras sponge, it works better than great
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_6380_1.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6380~r.83936938
i wish to try also
http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_7207_1.jpg
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7207~r.83936938

[tadawson]

Myself, I have been using nothing more than a damp sponge for 30+ years, and have yet had it fail to completely and perfectly clean my iron tip . . .

- Tim

[jeffs555]

I also used the damp sponge method for 30+ years, but in the past few years I have switched to the brass wool. The very fine tips I use now for fine pitch SMT work seem to cool down too much with the damp sponge.

[Ron W3FJW]

Gotcha all beat. I've been using a damp sponge since High school. 55+ years ago. Still do and I've never been in so much of a hurry that I couldn't let the tip get back up to temp. Only takes a few seconds. A quick swipe on the spong is all that's needed. Ya don't have to press it way down & drag it through the sponge to heat the sponge up & lose temp..

[rich smith]

No need for damp anything. Dry rag or paper towel just as good.

[Tomapowa]

No need for damp anything. Dry rag or paper towel just as good.
But being damp does two thing... 1) solidifies solder/crud taken off tip quicker/safer, and 2) It'll hopefully stop you from setting your tip cleaner (papertowel, sponge, etc..) on fire! :eek:

On my larger 100w+ irons I use a small steel-wire brush to clean the tip... (I've learned the hard way to always brush away from you!)... wouldn't dare try to clean this honker with a paper towel. :cool:

I usually use the brush on smaller irons too as I keep forgetting to wet my sponges... but I just came up with an idea... why not house the damp sponge in a metal tin with a cover, so that after your done soldering, you simply close the lid (sponge stays moist for use next time). I must have an Altoid mint tin hanging around some where...

Another important tip re: cleaning:
Don't wipe the tip on the damp sponge before you put the iron in the holder to rest. You clean off most of the solder, leaving the tip to oxidize. Wipe it just before you use it. Leave a bit of fresh solder on the tip when you return the iron to the holder.

[Ron W3FJW]

wouldn't dare try to clean this honker with a paper towel.

Let rich hold the towel for you.... hehe :P

[rich smith]

Let rich hold the towel for you.... hehe :P

Not really into stained glass but gladly do it for my standard quarter grand/hr rate.

It's like most things around here. People get an idea in their head and screw reason. No need to "solidify solder" and as for fire, it just ain't happenin'. Humans love ritual and, what the heck, it is funny to watch. :rolleyes:

[jab]

The damp/wet spong with a hole in the middle is best I think. Drag the solder tip along the edge of the hole and your done. Clean it often and you hardly have to do anything at all to keep it clean. Just a quick drag over the sponge every solder point. Makes for cleaner and better looking solder points also.