On Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:43:19 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

On Mon, 29 Nov 2010 07:56:13 -0800, Smitty Two
wrote:

In article ,
"HeyBub" wrote:

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.


As others have said, the solder won't stick to crud. Follow these steps
for
your abused iron.

1. Using a file or sandpaper, abrade off the crap from the tip of your
iron
until the tip is shiny base metal (either copper or steel).

2. Plug in the iron and, when it gets hot, cover the tip with solder.

3. Periodically during your soldering project, drag your iron's tip over a
damp sponge.

4. When the iron's tip turns black and can't be returned to shiny via the
sponge business, repeat steps 1 & 2.

5. You are correct when you twist the wires together. Soldering is an
ELECTRICAL connection, not a mechanical one. Depending on solder to hold
two
items together is ultimately futile.

Nuts. OP, do not sand the tip. Throw it away and buy new. The base metal
of the tip will not tin with solder, only the plating will. Once the
plating is shot, it's shot.


That depends entirely onthe tip. An "iron" tip is different from a
"copper" tip.

I've successfully tinned copper tips, and plated copper tips


See my reply to HeyBub about tips.


Solder is a mechanical *and* electrical connection. Twisting is a great
idea, but solder is used all damn day long as the only mechanical bond
between items.


True, but an electrical connection that is not mechanically secure
before soldering does not pass any inspection. (except for solid wire
into a printed circuit board)

I've personally inspected millions of solder joints. On the topic of
soldering, I'm pretty sure I know more than you do, Clare. Not that I
expect you to admit it. You're one of those "often wrong, never in
doubt" types.

You have inspected millions of solder joints. I won't dispute that.
What were these joints on?
On circuit boards you are correct - and I stated that.

What kind of joints between 2 wires do you inspect that do not have a
mechanical connection component other than solder? On what?

Educate us please.

If they were not joints between 2 wires, what kind of joint were they?
( am assuming we are on target here and they were electrical
connections - although even most (although certainly not all) tinwork
has some crimping involved before soldering)

Wiring onto terminal strips GENERALLY involves a "hook" of some sort
on solid core connection wires.


I'm not saying you are wrong and I'm right - I'm just asking what
connections, and what kind of connections, on what, do you consider to
be adequate with no mechanical component to the connection other than
the solder.