Soldering headache.

[big_teee]

Get some Kester 44 solder, and a quality iron.
I use a Weller WTCPT station and K-44 Solder, and no problems.
I just tin the tip with the hot solder.
On rare occasion I do the wet sponge treatment.
A good temp controlled soldering station, with Kester solder is hard to beat, IMO.
T

[Sea Chief]

Well it is the arse-end of my roll so I will try some other. But it seems to be the iron, but I dont know what to get- this might happen again you see unless I know wtf the prob is exactly.

[drewl]

Does sound like the iron is too hot.
I have several different Weller model irons, and you have to make sure you have the right temp tip for the correct series or you'll get the problem you mentioned.
A couple quick tips:
Weller has replacement elements and parts so you don't have to buy an entire new unit, I've rebuilt several.
I like to use a variac with my irons that don't have a temp adjust so I can manually adjust the temp.

[Jazz P Bass]

If you are not sure of (or cannot measure) the temperature of the tip, wipe it on a wet sponge.
It should instantly turn the water to steam.
If it does not, then the device is no good.
At least for soldering, anyway.

[Sea Chief]

Too hot? ok thats odd though; if I cant melt two (prior) tinned wire ends and simply join/ melt them together, for a test.. then surely that mean the iron is too cold, not too hot-?

I can get replacement tips for this one: Ive bought two already/ both the same issue. Ive had a replacement iron from the nice man (Faithfull- a budget Co but generally ok tool stuff) and same issue with its stock tip. He gave me two spares, but its just not worth even trying/ they're the same. I dont have a variac: I cant warrant the expense. I had a weller before sp25 iirc and that lasted the shortest of any: tip was ok but a few months and it just packed in so Im not a fan.

Even a basic iron should be able to join two friggin wires- if not then its dicky & its damn replacement should. Both the same.

[Jazz P Bass]

I use a Weller: http://www.amazon.com/WTCPT-Temperat.../dp/B00004W463
Mine is a 24 watt.

[J M Fahey]

Since you have some spare tips:
1) grind one down to copper (still cold, of course)
We don't know what yours is coated with, but copper is copper
2) plug the iron and continuously scratch its naked tip with solder wire.
At some point it will start to melt and leave silver streaks on copper.
Continue until it's tinned.
Now you have the classic surface: solder tinned bare copper, test your jobs (soldering/desoldering, whatever).
No, it won't last for months, but that's not the point today.
We started with a cold tip, so you've been along the perfect temperature range, before it gets way too hot.

If this works, it's a surface treatment problem (my BIG suspect)

If it does not, and balls up, it´s a solder problem.

The way we test this skips the temperature problem, although it nay show up later.

Post results.

[Sea Chief]

If you are not sure of (or cannot measure) the temperature of the tip, wipe it on a wet sponge.
It should instantly turn the water to steam.
If it does not, then the device is no good.
At least for soldering, anyway.

It steams the sponge exactly as normal/ exactly as any iron Ive had. It steams the flux exactly as others also. It feels hot as it should, and burns a mark on my bench when I forget, as other do too. Its the tip, and my suspicion is that its not correct for the iron/ as drewl suggests: but 3 similar specific tips from 3 places, and replacement from Co themselves.. the chances of all being precisely the wrong tip/ wrong part no is highly unlikely. But, this makes most sense as for a reason for my prob.

[Jazz P Bass]

Get another iron.

[Sea Chief]

Juan- Ive just done exactly your plan..

It tins perfectly & quickly too. I test/ join two wires immeditely/ as easy as pie. Thats a relief- now I know the reason. excellent. I guess this compromises the tip now/ it will not last without any 'surafce treatment' at all?

Trouble is I have to blindly buy hoping another iron has not this similar wretched treatment.
So its tail-on-the-donkey guess then. Oh well you live & learn.

Terrific helps chaps, most grateful. S.Chief.

[Sea Chief]

I use a Weller: Weller WTCPT 60 Watts/120V Temperature Controlled Soldering Station - Amazon.com
Mine is a 24 watt.

Cant see any similar over here, the nearest is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weller-WHS40...s=Weller+WTCPT 40w(?) but $150 in your money. B'Jesus I cannae be doing that besides the iron itself looks just like mine!

[dai h.]

I guess this compromises the tip now/ it will not last without any 'surafce treatment' at all?

my understanding is that it (that is, an unplated copper tip--same as old school in days of yore...lol) won't last as long (but hey, if it works good in the meantime...)

[eschertron]

my understanding is that it (that is, an unplated copper tip--same as old school in days of yore...lol) won't last as long (but hey, if it works good in the meantime...)

... and how many replacement tips did you get? Sounds like you have eons of time with all those short-lived tips on hand.

[g1]

So the tip you got to work is still working after you leave it on for awhile?
As far as the tip being too hot, yet still unable to solder a joint, this can happen if you can't tin the tip. The solder on the tip is what transfers the heat to the connection being soldered. So if no solder will stick to the tip, it may seem like the tip is to cold as the heat will not transfer even though the tip may actually be too hot.
You said the first tip (the only one that worked) burnt out quick. This would support the idea that it was running too hot.
There are a couple of unfavourable reviews of your iron on Amazon with regard to burning out tips.

[Sea Chief]

So the tip you got to work is still working after you leave it on for awhile?
As far as the tip being too hot, yet still unable to solder a joint, this can happen if you can't tin the tip. The solder on the tip is what transfers the heat to the connection being soldered. So if no solder will stick to the tip, it may seem like the tip is to cold as the heat will not transfer even though the tip may actually be too hot.
You said the first tip (the only one that worked) burnt out quick. This would support the idea that it was running too hot.
There are a couple of unfavourable reviews of your iron on Amazon with regard to burning out tips.

Aha ok that makes sense then: too hot iron & rubbish surface. I turned it off once tinned nicely.. I guess it wont last so I'll use it sparingly, then the other two tips I was given.. then I''ll throw it in the river and come back to MEF for some advice on a replacement.

I did read the reviews of the iron the other day/ noticed the ott heat thing too, but thought it was soley the first tip which disintegrated in a day. Oh well I guess I'll have a few days of use from the thing.

cheers chaps- SC