Electrical tools question:

[jagarra]

Chuey,

If your soldering gun is not heating up properly take the tip off the unit. I have found that oxidation builds up where the nuts hold the tip in. Cleaning everything and reassembly, when tighten down properly will get them going again.

gg

[Major Softie]

Chuey,

If your soldering gun is not heating up properly take the tip off the unit. I have found that oxidation builds up where the nuts hold the tip in. Cleaning everything and reassembly, when tighten down properly will get them going again.

gg

I'm sorry, did I understand correctly?

If it is not warming up properly, you should take the tip off your unit because oxidation builds up between the nuts and the tip of your unit?


It thought we were talking about soldering!

[ME 109]

It thought we were talking about soldering!

I thought we were talking about summer being the best time for a good joint.
I can't remember.

[Deleted User 287]

Chuey,

If your soldering gun is not heating up properly take the tip off the unit. I have found that oxidation builds up where the nuts hold the tip in. Cleaning everything and reassembly, when tighten down properly will get them going again.

gg

I wasn't going to mention this because I thought it was common knowledge, but I had to re-learn it myself just last year:
keep a flat file handy and clean off the iron's tip frequently. Then, of course, tin the tip before starting your next joint.
And NO bogarting!

[Steve in Golden]

I wasn't going to mention this because I thought it was common knowledge, but I had to re-learn it myself just last year:
keep a flat file handy and clean off the iron's tip frequently. Then, of course, tin the tip before starting your next joint.
And NO bogarting!

Also, after use, tin the tip of the soldering assault rifle iron before turning it off. The solder will keep it from oxidizing. And when soldering keep a wet sponge handy and wipe the tip frequently on the wet sponge, then tin it, then solder away. The thermal shock helps to keep the tip clean. I learned all this from working on the assembly line back when rocks were still warm and soft.

[Chuey]

Chuey,

If your soldering gun is not heating up properly take the tip off the unit. I have found that oxidation builds up where the nuts hold the tip in. Cleaning everything and reassembly, when tighten down properly will get them going again.

gg

I'm sorry, did I understand correctly?

If it is not warming up properly, you should take the tip off your unit because oxidation builds up between the nuts and the tip of your unit?


It thought we were talking about soldering!

I've always found it a good idea, if your gun doesn't heat up, to put the tip of it on a nice rack. That'll usually git it going. If that doesn't work, you could always soak it in cider.

Chuey

[ME 109]

I've always found it a good idea, if your gun doesn't heat up, to put the tip of it on a nice rack. That'll usually git it going. If that doesn't work, you could always soak it in cider.

Chuey

I was gonna put mine in cider but I only got wine.
I could go and buy it I s'pose.

[Garnet]

I usually use a pencil, but recently I have had trouble keeping lead in on it.

[Duane Ausherman]

After a life of soldering, I have a short cut that almost always works. Just use the wrench to loosen the nuts and retighten. That is enough to clean off the connection and get the heat going again.

Always use a wet sponge to clean the tip often. I probably wipe the tip on both side once a minute. If you set it down for a few minutes, always clean it off before you start soldering.

This brings back many memories.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

. . . Always use a wet sponge to clean the tip often. . . .

Does it need to be mentioned that the sponge needs to be a cellulose sponge? I've never done it, but I reckon the other kind of sponge (some kind of plastic) would melt.

I have been known to (quickly) wipe the hot tip on my jeans when I was too lazy to find a sponge and dampen it.

As an aside, do you suppose a sea sponge would smell bad?


Ken