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Steve Barker[_6_]

On 11/28/2010 11:26 PM, wrote:
How do you know when your soldering iron is tinned?
I keep mine plugged in for 5-10 minutes then when I try tin it, the
solder beads up and just drips offs. It doesn't seem to "wet" the
tip.
Is it suppose to wet the tip of the soldering iron?

I'm using non lead solder, 95%Sn, 5% Sb (Tin/Antimony).
Rosin core.

Also, when 1 solder two wires together, I twist the wires together,
then hold the iron to one side of the wire and hold the solder to the
opposite site. The wire should get hot and soak up the solder, right?
I've been practicing but it seems to be hit or miss so far.

Bonnie

If you're not doing domestic plumbing, (and you wouldn't be with a
soldering IRON) then get you some REAL solder. Then file the tip shiny
whilst cold, then heat it and stick it in some solder paste, THEN the
REAL solder will flow on to it quite well. If the tip gets too hot
and/or oxidized, you'll never get it to flow properly.

--
Steve Barker
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