The Ford Barn

katy · 08-29-2016, 10:24 AM

Several threads lately have referenced using a soldering iron. To make the tip last longer, fill in at the back of the tip, between the 2 leads w/silver solder, for about 3/8" or 1/2", like in the picture. Been using this trick for years.

Tom Wesenberg · 08-29-2016, 10:50 AM

I've never heard that one before, but I keep my tip clean and well tinned, and it lasts a very long time.

The real killer is when a person lets the tip get red hot, as when using it for heating shrink tubing. Ouch!

SeaSlugs · 08-29-2016, 11:19 AM

https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-599B-02...on+tip+cleaner

i use those little guys (cheaper ones out there), no water and sponge necessary, tin the tip and poke it in the glorified steel brillo pad and tins and cleans the tip perfectly. quick stab or two every solder and perfect joint every time. Works on the soldering gun tips (pictured above) well too - just dont jam it in or it can bend the tip if your not gentle

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-29-2016, 11:54 AM

I have a pill tin, with about 3/4" of solder in the bottom. While my BIG old iron is HOT, I "bury" it in the solder for storage, to keep the tip shiny.
Bill Tricky

Fullraceflathead · 08-29-2016, 01:09 PM

Nothing quite like burying the Tip!

P.S. · 08-29-2016, 02:25 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

That tip is for a soldering gun, not an iron.

To keep an iron tip clean and make it last for years, use a small can (tuna can works) filled with moist sand. Push the tip into the sand when hot and it cleans it right off. Keep sand moist and replace now and then.

As for soldering guns, that tip with the brillo pad works well. When a soldering gun tip is no good anymore, replace it. You need that wide spot at the end.

Kevin in NJ · 08-29-2016, 07:53 PM

Tips are not that expensive. Think I have replaced one in the last 40 years of moderate use.
I think that was because I broke it doing something you should not be doing.

Plus I wonder what filling in behind does for the temp at the tip. The current can bypass around the tip and I would wonder if that lowers the overall temp. The temp is kind of dependant on the resistance through the tip.

When I pick up my guns I do it because I need a lot more heat then my Weller temp controlled can put out. So I have the little gun, the big gun, and the really big iron. Mostly I use my Weller temp controlled iron.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-30-2016, 09:21 AM

When one of those type tips doesn't get very HOT, run solder around the securing nuts, for a better electrical connection.
Bill W.

08-29-2016, 10:50 AM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. I've never heard that one before, but I keep my tip clean and well tinned, and it lasts a very long time. The real killer is when a person lets the tip get red hot, as when using it for heating shrink tubing. Ouch!

08-29-2016, 11:19 AM	#3
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-599B-02...on+tip+cleaner i use those little guys (cheaper ones out there), no water and sponge necessary, tin the tip and poke it in the glorified steel brillo pad and tins and cleans the tip perfectly. quick stab or two every solder and perfect joint every time. Works on the soldering gun tips (pictured above) well too - just dont jam it in or it can bend the tip if your not gentle __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

08-29-2016, 11:54 AM	#4
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. I have a pill tin, with about 3/4" of solder in the bottom. While my BIG old iron is HOT, I "bury" it in the solder for storage, to keep the tip shiny. Bill Tricky __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

08-29-2016, 01:09 PM	#5
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,175	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. Nothing quite like burying the Tip! __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

08-29-2016, 02:25 PM	#6
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,695	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That tip is for a soldering gun, not an iron. To keep an iron tip clean and make it last for years, use a small can (tuna can works) filled with moist sand. Push the tip into the sand when hot and it cleans it right off. Keep sand moist and replace now and then. As for soldering guns, that tip with the brillo pad works well. When a soldering gun tip is no good anymore, replace it. You need that wide spot at the end.

08-29-2016, 07:53 PM	#7
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. Tips are not that expensive. Think I have replaced one in the last 40 years of moderate use. I think that was because I broke it doing something you should not be doing. Plus I wonder what filling in behind does for the temp at the tip. The current can bypass around the tip and I would wonder if that lowers the overall temp. The temp is kind of dependant on the resistance through the tip. When I pick up my guns I do it because I need a lot more heat then my Weller temp controlled can put out. So I have the little gun, the big gun, and the really big iron. Mostly I use my Weller temp controlled iron.

08-30-2016, 09:21 AM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Making a soldering iron tip last longer. When one of those type tips doesn't get very HOT, run solder around the securing nuts, for a better electrical connection. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"