Cleaning soldering irons???

CABBAGES · Post by **CABBAGES** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 6:03 am

Hi Im in the uk and cant find anywhere to get that soldering iron cleaning paste stuff i saw once when i workd in this factory. Its like solid and when you stick the iron in it melts and bubbles and cleans the iron. Anyone know where i could get some or even the correct name of it so i can search online for it ?

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 7:16 am

just use sand paper

superdeformed · Post by **superdeformed** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:10 pm

Using sand paper could ruin the tip. I believe what you're looking for is tip tinner. Look around where places sell soldering stuff, someone ought to have it.

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:36 pm

its not like tips are expensive i use sandpaper all the time and its fine

elliott · Post by **elliott** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 12:51 pm

Don't use sandpaper on a Weller tip or any other coated tip. It ruins the coating and makes it hard to solder. Also Weller tips aren't exactly cheap at $5-10 each.

Also superdeformed is right you want a "tinner", they are usually a couple of dollars and help out a lot. They have a mix of a cleaner and solder in them.

b_ski30 · Post by **b_ski30** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:35 pm

In college we use a wet sponge, and just dab the iron in it after you use it

Post by **bicostp** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:03 pm

I always wipe the tip of my soldering iron on a damp sponge after I'm done, and it also helps to leave s bit of solder on the tip when it's in storage.

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:05 pm

Well, I have a cheapo soldering iron (who the hell has a Weller anyway?) and 3 tips. Sanding them with fine-grit sandpaper works pretty well, though I do use tip tinner when I can't stop and turn it off. Should run you about $5 at RadioShack.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:27 pm

usbcd36 wrote:(who the hell has a Weller anyway?)

*meekly raises hand*

elliott · Post by **elliott** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:35 pm

usbcd36 wrote:(who the hell has a Weller anyway?)

I have a older DEC1001 dual iorn, temp controlled station. I got it used for cheap. If I ever have to replace one of the iorns (~$150) I'm screwed.

I also have one of those Radio Shack digital controlled stations. It sucked for soldering, only one sized tip available (not the same as the cheapo irons). I found out the tip from a RS desoldering iron fits the iron on the station. Now I have a digitally controlled desoldering station.

S q u e e ! · Post by **S q u e e !** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:56 am

Looking for this?

Tip Cleaner/Tinner

A.J. Franzman · Post by **A.J. Franzman** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:33 am

S q u e e ! wrote:Looking for this?

Tip Cleaner/Tinner

Also known as sal ammoniac or ammonium chloride, and available in larger size known as a "tinning block". (Tinning blocks and the tiny container of tip cleaner/tinner from Radio Shack are actually a mixture of ammonium chloride, tin, and stabilizing ingredients. Pure ammonium chloride is unstable, absorbs moisture and dissolves quite readily in water.)