Soldering Station Question

KatyBri

Based on threads posted here, I have purchased a temperature controlled soldering iron station to use with my STAMP projects. With this station was an iron holder that had what looked like a bright gold colored brillo pad. I assume this is used to clean the iron's tip. Could someone tell me how to properly use this item? Thanks.

pwillard

With regular use, an iron tip gets to looking oxidized and generally dirty. Normally, a damp sponge is used to wipe off the outer layer at the tip·and expose the clean tinned surface for better and more even heat transfer.· The "brillo" pad looking thing does the same although I personally don't prefer them over the damp sponge.· During use you want that nice clean·tinned surface·on the tip so you just wipe your tip on·the pad·regularly you see·when the tip lose the nice shiny appearance.·Less is more... once or two wipes·will do.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

---

There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.

uxorious

You use it the same way as you would a sponge. It is made of coils of brass. Hakko seems to think this is better than using a sponge and claims that. However, their competitors state they use it because their irons can't handle the sudden drop in temperature from hitting a damp sponge. We use both methods at work, see no difference between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~ from Hakko's page for the FP-102 Soldering Station:
Cleaning wire for the 599B, 601. Made from coils of brass. Cleans the soldering iron tip without water! The HAKKO 599B tip cleaner is made from coils of brass. It cleans without water! Simply plunge (stab) the iron tip into the coils to clean the tip. The wire is softer than the tip plating yet harder than the oxidation that forms on the tip. It will not reduce the tip temperature. A great alternative to the conventional damp sponge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

side note: saw this today........http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96531
$99 digital soldering station. I am buying one to validate it's quality against the $600 stations we have (Ersa i-Con)

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
~~ dRu ~~

Kevin Wood

>>> side note: saw this today........http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96531
$99 digital soldering station. I am buying one to validate it's quality against the $600 stations we have (Ersa i-Con)


Please post the results of your tests!

Franklin

Make sure you can get tips, they don't last long in production.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
- Stephen

Bean

One thing I was taught at work is to ALWAYS put fresh solder on the iron after you are done using it.
In other words, don't let the iron sit (hot OR cold) without a nice big blob of solder on the tip.
This has made my tips last alot longer.

Bean.

Post Edited By Moderator (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 11/2/2007 3:47:01 PM GMT

steve_b

I've been told the same thing Bean. I suppose I use more solder than I actually put on the PCB's!

my old mentor said the blob also helped coat the tip to reduce oxidation when it was cooling.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
<FONT>Steve



What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!

CCraig

I bought a 137 ESD from Circuit Specialists.

www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/3528


It came with the 'brillo' pad. I have been using it for about a year. It works fine. I use a different technique with the pad. I sort of jab the point into it. If I swipe it like you do a wet sponge, it shot the solder everywhere. It comes out clean. I too 'load' up the tip before shut down like Bean said.

HTH, Chris

just noticed same price and better picture at Howard's

www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/137ESD.html

Post Edited (CCraig) : 11/1/2007 5:21:58 PM GMT

pwillard

I always do that blob of solder trick with my ancient Weller when it sits idle for a bit or when I shut down the workstation. I have a tip that is at least 6 years old and it is still working great.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

---

There's nothing like a new idea and a warm soldering iron.