On 04/06/2011 09:43 PM, KD7HB wrote:
Iggy, was the set made using lead-free solder? This may have bee your problem. Regular soldering irons may not get hot enough unless you have an adjustable heat unit.

I will check the name of the ones we use for lead-free and add that info to the posting tomorrow. I know they use RF to heat the tip.

Regular solder suckers also work for lead-free solder, but you have to be quick before it solidifies.

Paul

I have an old Weller station at home, and a Weller WSL station with WMP
iron at work. These are quite good. There are some other Weller models
that use expensive tips or have poor temperature control.
I work with both leaded and lead-free solder. The lead-free stuff is a
pain, the iron doesn't tin well, and loses it's wetting ability in just
minutes. I have some lead-free tip tinner stuff that helps. I usually
solder at 650 F with leaded, but have to turn it up to 700 - 725 for the
lead-free.

As for desoldering, I use a Pace system both places. Although the parts
are expensive, they are well-made and real workhorses.

Jon