taddies2 Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 I have been soldering now for 55 years with no problem TV repair 5" loco build scratch build no problem.But this problem has me beat.I had a 25w iron that I failed to remove the bit on a frequent basis,so when I did have to change it it took that much pressure that I broke the iron (so do not fail to do the basics) I went and bought a weller 40w iron and have not been able to do a job with it I even bought a tin of clean and tin compound.You get things clean and it works great ,put the iron down for 1 or 2 minutes and every bit of the tip is covered in slag and needs cleaning again.I now have a file at my side give the tip a rub on the file put in clean and tin then use after a couple of minutes it is covered in slag it is as though the iron is to hot and is cristalising the solder and baking the flux. anyone come across this I think this iron is advertised as a wood etching tool .any ideas any one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grovenor Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Thought I was seeing double for a minute, see here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/71093-soldering-iron-question-am-i-doing-something-wrong/ Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taddies2 Posted April 27, 2013 Author Share Posted April 27, 2013 Read it all nodoubt I need a different iron I have tried every thing else and what I have spent I could have bought one. Thought I was seeing double for a minute, see here: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/71093-soldering-iron-question-am-i-doing-something-wrong/ Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R A Watson Posted April 27, 2013 Share Posted April 27, 2013 Try to wipe the iron on a piece of damp sponge or tissue immediately after use and before putting the iron down, this should remove the contaminants which are causing the problems Wally Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taddies2 Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share Posted April 30, 2013 Wally read the link and my comment no 53 something wrong Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R A Watson Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Yup, you've got me there and i am participating in that thread as well! There must be some external influence which is why I suggested the cleaning process. Just another straw to grasp at, you state this is a new iron so presumably had spare bits supplied with it; have you tried one of them? Also what combination of flux and solder are you using that may give some clues. Wally Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brossard Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Hard to fathom why there's a problem. I have a Weller (pale blue handle) and it's tip has stayed intact and slag free for several years. I wipe it with a damp sponge before a work session but rarely after a session. I use it for electrical work (60/40 solder and rosin flux), brass (145C solder and phosphoric acid flux) and white metal (70C solder). I think tips have a coating so it may not be a good idea to use a file to remove slag. I did buy a cheap iron from Radio Shack some while back and I think I got just one use out of the da**ed thing. Perhaps a new tip? John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffalo Posted April 30, 2013 Share Posted April 30, 2013 Will anyone suggest a good, temperature controlled, iron that I can use for kit building and electrical work please? My son had a Maplins one but it didn't last very long and they didn't want to refund when it had clearly failed. I don't want one that has a screwdriver adjustment on the handle either. I would prefer a digital one but would settle for an analogue if you so recommend. Thanks in advance, Gruffalo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebbles Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I believe the basic problem has been identified; the iron is becoming too hot. I recently purchased a 48 watt temperature controlled iron from Lidl adjustible between 100 - 500 degrees , it doesn't have an illuminated display but how sophisticated do you want to be?. They occassionally become available at £8.99 with a three year warranty. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffP Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Gruffalo, look on ebay for soldering stations. My Weller WSD81 was under £100 with about a dozen spare tips...which I have since mislaid... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
taddies2 Posted May 12, 2013 Author Share Posted May 12, 2013 I feel that the problem started with multicore when my last pound which I bought years ago ran out I bought some more I have bought a dimmer switch that makes things workable but still not right I have worked all day soldering with the Iron left on and never had these problems Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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