Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?


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Eric wrote:

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.

Lots of folks will be willing to accept a better way, if there is a good
reason given for it (but equally ready to reject a new way, if it's
presented without reason).

What's the university's reason?

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has
a past and every sinner has a future.
-Oscar Wilde

Eric:
You better get an e-mail off to Weller and Ungar right away..... many of
their soldering stations (and other brands too) come with a tip cleaning
sponge.
It works for me.... and has been working just fine for many decades.
And please enlighten me...... why should "we" never use a wet sponge?
thermal shock? corrosion? Just think of the thermal shock when pressing
the hot tip against a cold joint...... not to mention the corrosion
possibilities from electrolytic capacitors that have leaked on the pcb, etc.
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


"Eric" wrote in message
...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?


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On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:47:23 +1200, "Eric"
wrote:

Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.


Why do they say that?

Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

I re tin mine with Kester Ultrapure Tip Tinner.

What I would really like is a recipe for iron plating soldering iron tips.





Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs http://www3.sympatico.ca/borism/

I use a stainless steel pot scrubber stuffed into the bottom of my iron
holders. It cleans the tips everytime you put the iron into the holder.

Cheap and most effective, my favorite kind of solution.

Leonard

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?


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Hi!

I use a stainless steel pot scrubber stuffed into the bottom of my iron
holders. It cleans the tips everytime you put the iron into the holder.

Sounds like a good idea. I might have to give it a try.

William

On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 17:00:31 -0400 "Leonard G. Caillouet"
wrote in Message id:
:

I use a stainless steel pot scrubber stuffed into the bottom of my iron
holders. It cleans the tips everytime you put the iron into the holder.

Hmm. I was taught to clean before using and put back dirty to keep a nice
tinned tip. Also, I was under the impression that using abrasives would
wear out the tip quicker.

JW ) writes:
On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 17:00:31 -0400 "Leonard G. Caillouet"
wrote in Message id:
:

I use a stainless steel pot scrubber stuffed into the bottom of my iron
holders. It cleans the tips everytime you put the iron into the holder.

Hmm. I was taught to clean before using and put back dirty to keep a nice
tinned tip. Also, I was under the impression that using abrasives would
wear out the tip quicker.

I thought he was talking about that plastic "steel wool" that isn't nearly
as abrasive as actual steel wool.

And yes, the cleaning is more to get rid of the accumulated junk, so it
doesn't need to be cleaned when idling, and I suspect the junk may help
to protect the tip.

Michael

Nope. I use stainless steel. I just wiggle the iron on the way out and it
stays clean and tinned nicely. The tips last a long time.

Leonard

"Michael Black" wrote in message
...

JW ) writes:
On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 17:00:31 -0400 "Leonard G. Caillouet"
wrote in Message id:
:

I use a stainless steel pot scrubber stuffed into the bottom of my iron
holders. It cleans the tips everytime you put the iron into the holder.

Hmm. I was taught to clean before using and put back dirty to keep a
nice
tinned tip. Also, I was under the impression that using abrasives would
wear out the tip quicker.

I thought he was talking about that plastic "steel wool" that isn't nearly
as abrasive as actual steel wool.

And yes, the cleaning is more to get rid of the accumulated junk, so it
doesn't need to be cleaned when idling, and I suspect the junk may help
to protect the tip.

Michael

Don't put it in any nasty places...if it needs cleaning, gentle soap and
water...

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Leonard

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?


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"Eric" wrote in message
...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.

I worked at universities for 33 years and can tell you that they are not
necessarily the last word ... on any subject. I use the sponge that came
with my soldering station and it works just fine!

Charles Schuler wrote:
"Eric" wrote in message
...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.

I worked at universities for 33 years and can tell you that they are
not necessarily the last word ... on any subject. I use the sponge
that came with my soldering station and it works just fine!

I once had someone try to tell me (this forum?) that harmful fumes would be
given off from synthetic sponges. I don't believe it myself. About all
that gets 'burned' is the water the sponge is periodically soaked in. The
sponge itself doesn't even get scorched if kept well hydrated.

jak

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:47:23 +1200, "Eric"
wrote:

Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?


---

I use one of those tip cleaners that looks like a brass brillo pad.
It cleans even the worst looking tips without cooling them down and
lasts much longer than a sponge. It's also nice not to have to wet
the sponge every day.

Andy Cuffe

"Eric" wrote in message ...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

use one of those curley stainless steel tip cleaners in place of the wet sponge.


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"Eric" ) writes:
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

I just use paper towel, dry.

A sponge is handy because it can fit into the well intended for it
in the soldering iron stand. But if it's not wet, at the very least it
burns when you touch it with the iron, and it can be rather stiff. If
you want it to last, I suspect that's why it's damp.

Since paper towel is really cheap, it doesn't matter, and it is handier
not to have to keep something damp.

But nobody can tell you whether a wet sponge is a bad idea unless you also
tell us why the university thinks so. At the very least, the statement is
ambiguous, because it's not clear whether it's the wet, or the sponge,
that they consider the problem.

Keep in mind that most tips do last a long time. At least, if you use plated
tips. If you don't use plated tips, the tips will corrode, and often fairly
fast, and no amount of cleaning will fix that.

You wipe plated tips not to prevent damage, but to get off the excess solder,
and the rosin that collects there.

Michael

"Eric" wrote in message
...
Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

wax and a dry sponge just before you solder


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I have a portable iron I keep in my service case for in home work; it doesnt
have a "well" for a sponge, so I use a "wipe away", made by Fort Howard. Looks
like a really heavy duty paper towel, but it must be some kind of treated
paper, cause it doesn't burn when I wipe the tip with it; one will last me
about 6 months before it gets too cruddy looking.

Subject: how do you clean your tip?
From: "Eric"
Date: 8/26/04 6:47 PM
Message-id:



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?


I don't use no stinking sponges!

My wife has long ago stopped asking what the dark brown slash marks are near
the right pocket of my pants. Fortunately, they do wash out.

John

"Eric" On Fri, 27 Aug 2004
06:47:23 +1200, "Eric" wrote:

Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

a wet sponge serves several uses during the soldering process..
1-it helps to keep the tip of the hot iron clean by ..quickly..moving
the tip across the sponge surface..this simple act causes the
impurities to be rubbed off the tip..
2-it acts to temporarily reduce the tip temperature to prevent harmful
vapors to continue burning from the tip tremperature
3-it promotes clean and shiny solder connections..which help to
prevent contaminated solder joints..
4-the military and nasa..teach the use of a wet sponge in their
soldering methods
5-so does the IPC organization
and finally..it irritates the hell out of a university..when you don't
see things their way..but then..what could you possibly expect from a
"teaching?" organization

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" bravely wrote to "All" (28 Aug 04 04:07:54)
--- on the heady topic of " how do you clean your tip?"

Why don't they make tips out of aluminum alloy? I shaped a small Al tip
to remove 8 pin ics and it seems to work fine without corroding at all.


al From:

al "Eric" On Fri, 27 Aug 2004
al 06:47:23 +1200, "Eric" wrote:

Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

a wet sponge serves several uses during the soldering process..
al 1-it helps to keep the tip of the hot iron clean by ..quickly..moving
al the tip across the sponge surface..this simple act causes the
al impurities to be rubbed off the tip..
al 2-it acts to temporarily reduce the tip temperature to prevent harmful
al vapors to continue burning from the tip tremperature
al 3-it promotes clean and shiny solder connections..which help to
al prevent contaminated solder joints..
al 4-the military and nasa..teach the use of a wet sponge in their
al soldering methods
al 5-so does the IPC organization
al and finally..it irritates the hell out of a university..when you don't
al see things their way..but then..what could you possibly expect from a
al "teaching?" organization

.... [] - Please write your complaint legibly in that box.

Asimov wrote:
Why don't they make tips out of aluminum alloy? I shaped a small Al tip
to remove 8 pin ics and it seems to work fine without corroding at all.

Because (practically speaking) you can't tin it.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

IN MY OPINION anyone interested in improving himself should not rule out
becoming pure energy.
-Jack Handley, The New Mexican, 1988.

In article ,
Asimov wrote:
" bravely wrote to "All" (28 Aug 04 04:07:54)
--- on the heady topic of " how do you clean your tip?"

Why don't they make tips out of aluminum alloy? I shaped a small Al tip
to remove 8 pin ics and it seems to work fine without corroding at all.

Looking at the price of soldering iron cleaners, I decided to roll my
own so I got some small cellulose sponges and a small disposable aluminum
bread pan at the local hardware store. A little bit of work with the
scissors, and I'd figured I'd saved about 5 bucks over the thing at
the electronics store.

But after the first day there was some strange reaction between the
solder refuse, the aluminum pan, and the damp sponge that ate holes
right through the aluminum in one night.

The aluminum pan got replaced with a square glass votive candle holder
(looks like a cubical highball glass).

Mark Zenier Washington State resident

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:47:23 +1200, "Eric"
wrote:

Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?

You mean solderin iron tip? I rarely clean it with that solder sucking
(copper?) wire. Its very good, though a bit expensive for cleaning.
And its probably best for desoldering.
BTW, I'm just an amateur..
--
Take what you want and pay for it, says God.

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 06:47:23 +1200, "Eric"
wrote:

Most of us, because we were taught that way, use a wet sponge.

But the local university says, you should never use a wet sponge.



Has anybody got a better way and maybe the tips last longer?



I have a block of wood with a piece of suede leather glued to it. It
make a nice firm surface for me to remove excess solder as well as
clean off the oxide. This beats cleaning the tip on the lab coat or
trousers. Then there is the wet sponge of course.

"Ross Herbert" bravely wrote to "All" (31 Aug 04 10:37:36)
--- on the heady topic of " how do you clean your tip?"

RH From: Ross Herbert

RH You seem to accept that the aluminium tip has an oxide layer which
RH prevents proper "wetting" contact with the solder at a joint but you
RH seem to be saying that you still get good heat transfer.

Yes, I specifically mentioned the good heat transfer. The most
plausible explanation is, because the oxide layer on the Al surface is
extremely thin (only 1 or 2 molecules thick), and is easily broken.
One reason for this thin layer is due to Al's high oxidation state.
A peculiar thing I noticed was the solder clung to the Al edges in
tiny clumps appearing a bit like thick cold butter.


RH It is a fact
RH that the efficiency of heat transfer is dependant upon the surface
RH area at the tip where it is in contact with the joint. If you have a
RH needle point tip the surface area at point of contact will be very
RH small and therefore the heat transfer efficiency will be very poor.
RH That is the very reason why "wetting" is essential for efficient and
RH reliable soldering and desoldering. The "wetting" action actually
RH increases the surface area in contact with the solder and therefore
RH heat transfer is at a maximum, even when using a needle point tip.
RH There can be absolutely no argument about this fact.

I'm not arguing against wetting in the usual method but since it
doesn't happen with Al then its good heat transfer might be key.
Well, I'll just have to try it for myself and see, won't I?
I just recalled where I might have a length of #12 Al wire...

A*s*i*m*o*v

.... Bad Beer Rots Our Young Guts But Vodka Goes Well.

We could all argue over this until the cows come home, and then still some
more argue.

If anyone else out there would like to try this idea, and give us a full
report back afterwards, we will be all very grateful.


Thanks,





"Asimov" wrote in message
...
"Ross Herbert" bravely wrote to "All" (31 Aug 04 10:37:36)
--- on the heady topic of " how do you clean your tip?"

RH From: Ross Herbert

RH You seem to accept that the aluminium tip has an oxide layer which
RH prevents proper "wetting" contact with the solder at a joint but you
RH seem to be saying that you still get good heat transfer.

Yes, I specifically mentioned the good heat transfer. The most
plausible explanation is, because the oxide layer on the Al surface is
extremely thin (only 1 or 2 molecules thick), and is easily broken.
One reason for this thin layer is due to Al's high oxidation state.
A peculiar thing I noticed was the solder clung to the Al edges in
tiny clumps appearing a bit like thick cold butter.


RH It is a fact
RH that the efficiency of heat transfer is dependant upon the surface
RH area at the tip where it is in contact with the joint. If you have a
RH needle point tip the surface area at point of contact will be very
RH small and therefore the heat transfer efficiency will be very poor.
RH That is the very reason why "wetting" is essential for efficient and
RH reliable soldering and desoldering. The "wetting" action actually
RH increases the surface area in contact with the solder and therefore
RH heat transfer is at a maximum, even when using a needle point tip.
RH There can be absolutely no argument about this fact.

I'm not arguing against wetting in the usual method but since it
doesn't happen with Al then its good heat transfer might be key.
Well, I'll just have to try it for myself and see, won't I?
I just recalled where I might have a length of #12 Al wire...

A*s*i*m*o*v

.... Bad Beer Rots Our Young Guts But Vodka Goes Well.



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Eric wrote:
We could all argue over this until the cows come home, and then still some
more argue.

If anyone else out there would like to try this idea, and give us a full
report back afterwards, we will be all very grateful.

Just one point -- because aluminum is so common, and known to have such good
heat transfer, the notion of its use in a soldering tip is not even
remotely "non obvious," to borrow a Patent Office term.

That (to the best of my knowledge) none of the world's soldering iron
manufacturers offers such a tip is a pretty good indicator of its
non-practicability.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible
with raisins in it.
-Dorothy Parker

John Miller:
I totally agree with your statement. Soldering is not rocket science and
is not a new procedure....... why re-invent the wheel, particularly a
time-proven and fairly cheap and readily available wheel.
--
Best Regards,
Daniel Sofie
Electronics Supply & Repair
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


"John Miller" wrote in message
That (to the best of my knowledge) none of the world's soldering iron
manufacturers offers such a tip is a pretty good indicator of its
non-practicability.
--
John Miller

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 11:30:36 -0700, "Sofie" wrote:

John Miller:
I totally agree with your statement. Soldering is not rocket science and
is not a new procedure....... why re-invent the wheel, particularly a
time-proven and fairly cheap and readily available wheel.


At work, I used to go out on the wire harness mfg line and dip
standard soldering iron tips in the solder pot. Worked great.

Liquid flux always was helpful too, but very messy stuff.

Now come on John would you buy a soldering iron that had a aluminum tip ????



Give us a break !!!!!
Anybody like to go bankrupt here manufacturing soldering irons with aluminum
tip, even it does soldering great !!!



"John Miller" wrote in message
...
Eric wrote:
We could all argue over this until the cows come home, and then still some
more argue.

If anyone else out there would like to try this idea, and give us a full
report back afterwards, we will be all very grateful.

Just one point -- because aluminum is so common, and known to have such good
heat transfer, the notion of its use in a soldering tip is not even
remotely "non obvious," to borrow a Patent Office term.

That (to the best of my knowledge) none of the world's soldering iron
manufacturers offers such a tip is a pretty good indicator of its
non-practicability.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible
with raisins in it.
-Dorothy Parker



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Now come on John, would you buy a soldering iron that had a aluminum tip
????



Give us a break !!!!!
Anybody like to go bankrupt here manufacturing soldering irons with aluminum
tip, even if it just happened to do a great job at soldering !!!



"John Miller" wrote in message
...
Eric wrote:
We could all argue over this until the cows come home, and then still some
more argue.

If anyone else out there would like to try this idea, and give us a full
report back afterwards, we will be all very grateful.

Just one point -- because aluminum is so common, and known to have such good
heat transfer, the notion of its use in a soldering tip is not even
remotely "non obvious," to borrow a Patent Office term.

That (to the best of my knowledge) none of the world's soldering iron
manufacturers offers such a tip is a pretty good indicator of its
non-practicability.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible
with raisins in it.
-Dorothy Parker



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Eric wrote:
Now come on John would you buy a soldering iron that had a aluminum tip
????

No. That was kind of my point, if you'd re-read.

Give us a break !!!!!
Anybody like to go bankrupt here manufacturing soldering irons with
aluminum tip, even it does soldering great !!!

The point is, they *don't* "do soldering great," hence they are not being
made.

--
John Miller
Email address: domain, n4vu.com; username, jsm

mathematician, n.:
Some one who believes imaginary things appear right before your _i's.