Just realized my solder station tip was way too oxidized

Been fighting cold joints on a motherboard repair for 3 days, then a guy at the local electronics shop in Tacoma told me to wipe my tip with brass wool every single time I set the iron down. Tried it on the next joint and it flowed perfect - has anyone else found a good routine for keeping tips clean without replacing them every month?

2 comments

2 Comments

paige_harris29d ago

Brass wool is overrated. Just use a slightly damp sponge and tap the tip on it a couple times, that's all you need. People get way too precious about tip maintenance, it's a piece of metal not a surgical tool. Most oxidation comes from leaving the iron on too hot or not tinning it before you put it away. A clean tip won't save you if your temperature control is garbage or your flux is bad.

charles_kim29d ago

Piece of metal not a surgical tool" - thank you. I see guys at my local makerspace replacing tips every month and I'm like dude, just turn your iron down. I run a basic chisel tip at like 650F and it's been fine for years. Sponge or brass, whatever, just don't let your tip sit dry at 800F all day.