Is this normal - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: nicksydney
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 12:47:17 pm
content: Hi,First time but long time lurker. I've made the jump to buy Atten 937b soldering station and start using it for 2-3 hours and really enjoying it as it's more easier to use than the normal 4$ soldering iron. The condition of my tip along with the iron looks like in the attached picture, it this normal ?

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 01:04:32 pm
content: If you mean the darkening of the tip/pole that holds the tip: Yes that is fairly common. Happens on every soldering iron, as far as I know. I think it's burnt flux residue that darkens the tip. As long as the end of the tip stays shiny (after wiping on a wet sponge, or some other tip cleaner) you're fine.

author: nicksydney
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 01:15:17 pm
content: Quote from: LEECH666 on September 17, 2012, 01:04:32 pmYes, I was referring to the darkening part of the pole that holds the tip. I was blown away that after using it and not doing any heavy duty soldering it became blackened like that

author: Amarbir[Lynx-India]
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 01:20:44 pm
content: Quote from: nicksydney on September 17, 2012, 01:15:17 pmWell,thats perfectly normal

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 01:24:30 pm
content: Quote from: nicksydney on September 17, 2012, 01:15:17 pmHit a piece of steel with a blowtorch sometime.

author: LEECH666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 01:26:36 pm
content: Well you should keep an eye on it. If the irons starts to glow dim red that's probably not normal. But in general irons will "burn in" when they're new. They even may smoke a little bit.Used irons of my Pace MBT 250 soldering station:Okay they're probably 15 years or older but yeah .... the tips/poles/rods ain't exactly shiny anymore.Bought the station last year or so and it works a treat.Florian

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2012, 08:25:03 pm
content: The sleeve that holds the bit is Stainless steel, heat it and you get chromium oxides forming, its the oxides of chrome that stop the iron in the steel from rusting. it will polish up again but as soon as it gets hot it will discolor.

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2012, 10:21:59 pm
content: My Ersa, Weller and Pace do not turn black. I should keep an eye on it. I do not think it is normal. Heated staynless steel gets more yellowish as far as I know. ( my motor exhausts do) and when real hot blue.My solder irons look a bit like the paces on the picture above.

author: M. András
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2012, 02:54:43 pm
content: the heated portion of the tip is a bit darker then the rest of it but it was became like this after 10 minutes of usage which was almost 2 years ago its a weller wrmp pencil, note the voltage rating

author: Jimmy the Squid
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2012, 06:04:18 pm
content: Nobody asked yet, but it occurred to me to ask what temps the OP was soldering at? Unless I'm desoldering for salvage, I usually like to work at the lower temps. I was just thinking that with the limited heat transfer from the 'useless' conical tips, one might be forced into setting higher temps just to get the solder flowing, thus causing more discoloration. The solution may just be to get a chisel tip and lower the temps.

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2012, 07:05:02 pm
content: My Weller magnastat has the same "burned look". It has a 370 deg C tip, so it's on the hot side of the scale.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2012, 08:29:55 pm
content: All Wellers go that way when well used. Remember to use Copaslip or equivalent on the tips when replacing them to keep them from seizing in the element, and a little on the captive nut is good too. I have tossed a few elements and heads that welded fast from not having this done, especially with the higher number tips like an 8 or 9.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2012, 08:32:24 pm
content: I'm surprised by the amount of charred deposits but if it was the tip breaking down you would have clearer indications

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2012, 09:07:32 pm
content: Some info on tip care here