recommend a 15 watt soldering iron with replaceable tips

Smaller replacement tips for the SP15NUSSP15NUS

S3, screwdriver, 0.138"

S31, conical, 0.015"

S32, screwdriver, 0.078"

Thanks for the tips. No pun intended (well maybe).

It is good to know they are available, but I googled and searched Amazon and could not find them. Do you know a source? Also, is there a source for components like switches, perf boards etc that you particularly like? I am just starting to try to learn a little about electronics. I got interested mainly for the math, but I like building things too.

I appreciate your patience.

All 3 are for sale and in stock. I checked before posting.

https://www.newark.com/c/tools-production-supplies/soldering-stations-accessories/soldering-irons/soldering-iron-tips-nozzles?brand=weller&for-use-with=sp15lsi15-soldering-iron

I think these would work, but I wouldn't be sure.

I have a SP25 and the tips are screwed on(the tip is literally a screw, kinda), and the SP15 is likely similar... The images at newark show a flat barrel

hugohu  wrote:

 

https://www.newark.com/c/tools-production-supplies/soldering-stations-accessories/soldering-irons/soldering-iron-tips-nozzles?brand=weller&for-use-with=sp15lsi15-soldering-iron

 

I think these would work, but I wouldn't be sure.

....

Yes, the first 2 are listed on the SP15NUSSP15NUS as compatible. The last one is the model that's fitted on that iron when you buy it.

billinrosehill  wrote:

 

Do you know a source? Also, is there a source for components like switches, perf boards etc that you particularly like? I am just starting to try to learn a little about electronics. I got interested mainly for the math, but I like building things too.

I appreciate your patience.

I mostly use element14. There is a "store" menu at the top of the page that brings you to the shop relevant for your location.

Thank you for going to so much trouble.

Got it, thanks for clarifying.

For an iron upgrade, I've been happy using this for a few years now:  Soldering Station, WE Series, 120 V, 450 °C, 70 W, ESD Safe (newark.com)

The temperature setting is much preferred over just a straight wattage when you are soldering small stuff to big stuff.

I've found the biggest improvement to my soldering is taking steps with each application to keep oxides from forming on the tip.

That means scrubbing the tip with this before and after each joint soldered:

Soldering Iron Tip Cleaner (newark.com)

and then giving it a dip in this right before parking it so the bare metal does not oxidize while holstered:

CLEANER, TIP, , 15G (newark.com)

It gets me many miles out of a single tip and keeping the oxides off ensures I get good heat transfer on the next solder joint.

For a source in the US, you can find these and their tips on Amazon. I buy it there due to their zero risk cancel/return policies and you can cancel the order before it ships with a click.

See ya',

Sean

Sean_Miller  wrote:

 

...

I've found the biggest improvement to my soldering is taking steps with each application to keep oxides from forming on the tip.

...

and then giving it a dip in this right before parking it so the bare metal does not oxidize while holstered:

CLEANER, TIP, , 15G (newark.com)

 

...

A little watch-out with that second product. It's not intended for regular use.

It has rather active flux in it, and is made to clean tip areas that can no longer be wetted.

a speedy and effective product for cleaning and re-tinning de-wetted soldering irons that cannot be re-tinned by sponges, pads or rosin-cored solder wire

A great product, but should be used when needed, iron has to be allowed to stay hot long enough ( > 220°) to ensure all active product burns off, and the tip has to be cleaned and re-tinned with normal solder afterwards.

I'm using a Weller branded product, called Tip Activator, that according to the specs rumours is more corrosive than the Henkel paste in your little container: