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Post by Ron Rich on Sept 4, 2020 19:06:56 GMT
Hi All,
I just had to purchase a new soldering iron. After 40 + years my old 33 watt Ungar iron lost it's connection between the heater and the handle. So, since I have been so happy with that old iron, I purchased the Weller version (Weller bought Ungar at least ten years ago). I used the last of my Ungar "iron clad" tips, and purchased a flock of the Weller branded replacements. Everything l@@ks the same, however I have now tried 4 of the new Weller branded tips-- they get hot, as they should,BUT, they can not be "tinned". The solder, if it melts, just balls up, and flows off the new tips ? Anyone have any suggestions as to what can be done, other then filing the tip--?? TIA !
Ron Rich
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Post by juke46 on Sept 7, 2020 10:19:08 GMT
Ron, I've had lots of problems when I used a new tip. Makes it very difficult to solder anything and frustrating for me. I found the link below on the internet and I have used the damp sponge part when (if) I get a new tip. It is almost seems like some tips are allergic to solder! I read somewhere that people dip the tip in acid before tinning. Maybe, but who wants acid around the shop or house unless there is a swimming pool to maintain. www.instructables.com/id/Proper-Soldering-Iron-cleaning-%2526-maintenance/ |
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Post by Ron Rich on Sept 7, 2020 17:56:19 GMT
Hi David,
I have pretty much followed that routine for 50 + years-- Never failed till now--I dis-agree with the sand paper-- I used "crocus cloth" as a "last resort"-- It seems to have helped ! It's well over 100 degrees here now-- too hot for me to do much of anything, much less solder ! Also too smoky-- hill about 3 miles away as the crow flys, burned up last night-- so I'm just "vegin' " Ron Rich
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Post by Ken Layton on Sept 22, 2020 5:41:52 GMT
What tip number did you buy? I use Weller # PL113 (chisel tip). Bought mine at my local Grainger store. Have not had any trouble tinning or using it.
I too had an Ungar/Radio Shack 33 watt iron which I used for almost 30 years. Mine developed a break in the wire somewhere inside the body similar to yours. Ended up buying the Weller version of the Ungar about three years ago. It has worked well.
Whenever I come across a tip that does not tin properly (or at all), these are some of the things I do to it (not in any order):
Wipe the tip in 99% isopropyl alcohol (with iron cold of course).
Scrub tip with fiberglass eraser pen (also when tip is cold).
Polish tip with SimiChrome metal polish.
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Post by Ron Rich on Sept 22, 2020 12:25:35 GMT
5Hi Ken,
Same tip-- bought "Weller's" before-- no problem-- last "batch"-- awful-- wound up using crocus cloth on this one-- It's OK now-- just still "looks funny"-- sorta dull-- but now works, at least ! ( Hey-- where are you finding 99% al-key-haul ?) Ron Rich
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Post by Ken Layton on Sept 23, 2020 3:43:04 GMT
Ron:
Lately, I've found the 99% alcohol at Fred Meyer stores, Safeway, and sometimes at Rite-Aid.
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Post by Ron Rich on Sept 23, 2020 11:57:51 GMT
Hi Ken,
Thanks, my local independent pharmacy called me yesterday-- they have some for me-- There are no Fred Myers , nor Rite-aid here ! "Safeway" sorta exists, although Albertson's purchased it two or so years ago, and the local one stocks about one of each product-- We no longer go there at all-- Ron Rich
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Post by Ron Rich on Sept 24, 2020 13:10:21 GMT
Hi All,
My Pharmacy caller lied-- went to pick up the 99% al key haul, looked at the bottle and handed it back-- 70% -- That I CAN, find -- but it's a PIA to use as it takes forever to remove the flux from the new boards-- soak them for 20+ minutes, and they still have residual flux on them. if using 99%, soak time is about 3-5 minutes, and the board comes out spotless ! Oh, well, I'm off to "Safeway" today -- lol Ron Rich
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