The New Northern Central

[nickelplate759]

Turns out I think I figured out why. I was murdering my iron tips by submerging them in flux for cleaning. Turns out you should never do that. Oh well! Problem solved.

Good tip (HAH!) - but why is that?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Good tip (HAH!) - but why is that?

It's because the flux will actually cause some metal erosion on the tip, which in turn will cause oxidation, which prevents proper heat transfer. Once you've got the oxidation on there it's tough to get it off (since it's in micro fractures, essentially) enough to re-tin the tip.

See https://www.weller-tools.com/how-to-care-for-soldering-iron-tips/#:~:text=Avoid%20dipping%20your%20tips%20into,damage%20tips%20at%20higher%20temperatures.

Specifically:

Avoid dipping your tips into flux to clean them, as the substance is corrosive.

[C855B]

Good tip (HAH!) - but why is that?

What Ed said.

Because what flux does is etch or even dissolve the oxidized layer of whatever it is you're trying to get the solder to stick to, taking it down to unoxidized metal (hopefully). Doing that with a heated tip accelerates the action several-fold. So Ed was basically dissolving the tips into oblivion. It was done that way with old-style blacksmith tips which were basically big hunks of iron where you'd dip it in sal ammoniac, NH₄Cl, but there was lots of metal there... and after a few years of doing that, so much would be dissolved away you'd still have to replace the tip.

[garethashenden]

Ed, get something like this to clean the soldering iron. https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Cleaner-Solder-Cleaning-Holder/dp/B076X1NYBB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=12XHEB1PWVJ7L&keywords=soldering%2Biron%2Bcleaner%2Bbrass&qid=1638565526&sprefix=soldering%2Biron%2Bclea%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-2&th=1

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ed, get something like this to clean the soldering iron. https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Cleaner-Solder-Cleaning-Holder/dp/B076X1NYBB/ref=sr_1_2?crid=12XHEB1PWVJ7L&keywords=soldering%2Biron%2Bcleaner%2Bbrass&qid=1638565526&sprefix=soldering%2Biron%2Bclea%2Caps%2C155&sr=8-2&th=1

Yep. I've got one of those. Will be using IT going forward.

[OldEastRR]

Or just a wad of steel wool. Or brass pot scrubbing pad.

[davefoxx]

I just use a wet paper towel (some use wet sponges) to wipe the tinned iron.  I use the wet paper towel before each use of the iron and once again before I turn it off and put it away.   That keeps the iron tip clean, coated to protect from corrosion, and ready for use next time.  You don't need to use scrubbing pads for the same reason you don't use them on your rails.  I am literally only on my second iron tip, and the soldering iron is thirty years old.  Truthfully, the only reason why it was replaced is because I wanted to try a different style of tip and, to fill out an order to make it worth shipping, I also ordered a replacement for the style of tip that I have.  I ended up not really using the different style tip and ended up back using the same style as before.  But, since I had a new tip, why not?  I didn't really need to replace it, and it would be thirty years old.

DFF

[garethashenden]

Wet sponges etc do work for cleaning the tip. The problem is that they're wet and they cool the tip down. A surprising amount actually.

[LKOrailroad]

Wet sponges etc do work for cleaning the tip. The problem is that they're wet and they cool the tip down. A surprising amount actually.

I have observed the same. Especially noticeable on a low wattage iron.

I use these cheapies from ebay overseas. They work extremely well and last a surprisingly long time before becoming solder laden. I haven't bought one in a long time and while looking for this image I see what used to cost a dollar now costs three.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Chris333]

I just stick the tip (just the tip) into my jar of flux to clean it.

[keeper]

I just use a wet paper towel (some use wet sponges) to wipe the tinned iron.  I use the wet paper towel before each use of the iron and once again before I turn it off and put it away.   That keeps the iron tip clean, coated to protect from corrosion, and ready for use next time. 

DFF

This!
I use a wet sponge. My soldering iron is quite old with a very small tip and I never needed to replace the tip.

Thomas 

[wazzou]

I just stick the tip (just the tip) into my jar of flux to clean it.

Sure.   

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I just stick the tip (just the tip) into my jar of flux to clean it.

Just for a minute?

Weird, this is what I was doing and it murdered my tips.

[Bendtracker1]

Weird, this is what I was doing and it murdered my tips.

That's the same that was happening to mine.
I could never keep the tip free from the black crust and I went through several tips over a few year.
A friend told me to get one of the copper or brass sponges, now the tip stays clean.

[nickelplate759]

Just for a minute?

Weird, this is what I was doing and it murdered my tips.

Me too - but I suspect Ed was also making a joke..