Hey, question relating to solder irons but not the video: what should I do when I turn off the iron? Do I clean it while it's still hot or do I wait until it's cooled to wipe off the excess stuff left over from using it? Or do I clean it at all?
@lonesoldier33 It depends oh how you clean it. If you're using a gold-mesh cleaner, you'll want a good thermal transfer so do it while it's hot. Although I haven't heard of any problems doing so, but I feel leery about thermal shocking the iron on a wet sponge, I wait it's cooled down. You'll definitely want to clean it as oxidation won't allow a good thermal transfer, but unlike the video I wouldn't use sandpaper as some irontips have an anti-oxidizing layer and sandpaper will just remove it.
just to add that you should keep a wet sponge and the foil thingy (i need to learn what that thing is properly called) always close by during your work. The sandpaper is only after the iron is cold. i didn't think i had to mention that in the video but i'll say it here.
i used 150 grit sandpaper, now the solder flows directly onto the tip and doesn't pool into annoying balls.
ilotek 2 weeks ago
buy tip cleaner on net. forget radioshack ripoff.
Ibringthetruth1 1 month ago
very high grit sandpaper or brass brush.
Ibringthetruth1 1 month ago
Hey, question relating to solder irons but not the video: what should I do when I turn off the iron? Do I clean it while it's still hot or do I wait until it's cooled to wipe off the excess stuff left over from using it? Or do I clean it at all?
lonesoldier33 8 months ago
@lonesoldier33 It depends oh how you clean it. If you're using a gold-mesh cleaner, you'll want a good thermal transfer so do it while it's hot. Although I haven't heard of any problems doing so, but I feel leery about thermal shocking the iron on a wet sponge, I wait it's cooled down. You'll definitely want to clean it as oxidation won't allow a good thermal transfer, but unlike the video I wouldn't use sandpaper as some irontips have an anti-oxidizing layer and sandpaper will just remove it.
Shazzner 8 months ago
Comment removed
meekprize 10 months ago
just to add that you should keep a wet sponge and the foil thingy (i need to learn what that thing is properly called) always close by during your work. The sandpaper is only after the iron is cold. i didn't think i had to mention that in the video but i'll say it here.
meekprize 10 months ago