Yeah we're lucky in the UK the cheap Antex ones are not bad. I used them for years (I now have something a lot better). The TCS one (temperature controlled) was about £40 when I bought it and it lasted about 6 years (and still have it as a spare). I think I replaced the tip once.
I have to agree with Shabaz ideally the tip should never need sanding. however if it becomes pitted generally due to over temperature or bad fluxes etc you may be forced to do it then. however once you start you have generally eroded the steel outer away and the core deteriorates quite rapidly. I have tips I used to use all day on a temp controlled iron and they are now nearly 20 years old. Abuse rapidly deteriorates bits!
A tip should never be sanded, in fact never rubbed or any force used. It should just touch the surface you're trying to solder. If your tip became faulty without doing this, then unfortunately it is because the iron is too hot (due to no temperature control).
Hi MCB, i know that a controlled heat iron is a MUST HAVE for all the electronics fans but i'm low of funds and when i have some more money i don't think in buying tools, i think in buy some arduino modules or any other things, like i said in my other post, the man who sanded my iron's tip, told me: that solder of 30W should serve to you until you reach a high level of soldering, and i think that's gonna be never
Thanks for the information. When I look at your prototype board I feel like a beginner. Awesome looking job. I am already looking into ways to learn more about surface mount technology and I have put a temp controlled iron on my want list.
Top Comments