submerge soldering iron tip in pool of solder? heat proof container? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 08:19:53 pm
content: I recent thread got me thinking.I tend to burn through soldering iron tips due to abusing them and poor technique.I would like to find a very small heat proof container (or something) that I can fill with a solder wire trimmings of my choosing and melt with the tip of the iron in order to fully coat all surfaces of the plating on my soldering iron tip.Does something like this exist?

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 08:39:04 pm
content: Quote from: incf on April 16, 2025, 08:19:53 pmTo answer your question directly, you can get a solder pothttps://www.amazon.com/QWORK-Soldering-Titanium-Capacity-200-450/dp/B08V161KKH/ref=asc_df_B08V161KKH?th=1or search Amazon for "crucible" for an unheated version (I don't recommend that for solder, but you can have a look).But what you probably actually want ishttps://www.amazon.com/Thermaltronics-FBA_TMT-TC-2-Lead-Tinner-Container/dp/B00NS4J6BY/ref=sr_1_1_sspaAnd if you are "burning through tips" either you're running them way too hot or you have crummy tips, most likely the latter. What are they?

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 09:18:05 pm
content: Name brand Weller model# ETC 1/8" 'screwdriver' tips, I occasionally run them too hot (up to 750F) to compensate for poor technique and tip contamination.The solder I use (chip-quik germanium doped lead free) I think melts at 450F, but I frequently find that my limited ability to transfer heat from the (oxidized) sharp corners of the soldering iron tip required higher temperatures.I often find myself thinking that a finer/sharper/pointier tip would be useful, but suspect it would last an ever shorter amount of time. It's mostly used for very crude rework type operations like trying to bridge 'way too large' of a gap between the lead of a 'bodged' resistor/capacitor and a SOIC lead - without any visibility or magnification of the operation being performed. And often without a good way to hold or manipulate the bodge leads, or to hold the PCB being soldered.Ends up being a matter of forcefully jamming the tip in and cranking up the heat in an effort to wet/bridge the two halves of a flimsy bodge joint. A tip might last only 15 minutes at 750F before it is irreparably oxidized.I don't have a wet sponge, but never really found it to help very much once temperatures get over 500F.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 09:39:39 pm
content: Well, a solder pot will do what you want. Cast iron is good for lead ladles and so forth. BUT, solder will dissolve the iron plating on your soldering iron. You may likely end up shortening its life.

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 09:51:41 pm
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on April 16, 2025, 09:39:39 pmTo a total lifespan less than the current value of 15 minutes?

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 09:56:45 pm
content: ceramic mini crucible. It should be OK if its a bowl shape, a bore is going to get messed up by 'freezing contractions"I recommend you spend some time with a solder cleaning stone/abrasive and a good magnifier or microscope and figure out what is happening to your tip, if its in good condition when you started the job, measure temperature with a calibrator, etc.It sounds like some people in this thread are operating in the "oh shit I need to get this done ASAP for someone" mode... perpetually. If you have time enough to write a post, it would be better spent to maintain/learn your tools and perhaps even get some practice soldering boards to qualify your tools (test some fluxes and solder alloys). Kind of like going for a hike with a bucket on your foot.... take a some time and thinking to figure out how to remove it.. eventually your gonna get in trouble if the equipment is not prepared/functionalDon't work like its closing time on a friday when its tuesday morning...

author: BrianHG
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 10:05:20 pm
content: Quote from: incf on April 16, 2025, 09:51:41 pmPerhaps your iron's temperature is set too high. This can dry out and kill tips.Also, cheap Chinese tips don't last.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 10:14:22 pm
content: QuoteYour certainly doing something wrong,to me 15 months would be classed as a short life.Quotetry adding a bit of flux and turn the temperature down so it aint burnt off before its had a chance to work

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 10:57:26 pm
content: Quote from: incf on April 16, 2025, 09:51:41 pmIf your total lifespan is 15 minutes. A solder pot won't help. You need a lesson in soldering. My tips last years.

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:06:03 pm
content: So what temperature would you all use under the conditions I described above?This fellow apparently uses 800F without issues. I'm confident 800F would irreparably oxidize my tip in less than 15 minutes. (750F would give exactly 15 minutes, 650 considerably longer, 500F much much longer)https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/1980/what-s-the-proper-soldering-iron-temperature-for-standard-031-60-40-solder

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:06:24 pm
content: Quote from: incf on April 16, 2025, 09:18:05 pmWhat flux? That's way too hot, you should never have to do that unless you're trying to solder something too large for your iron.Why doesn't the wet sponge help? I run 325-350C or even 375C sometimes for lead-free and I always use the sponge. My tips (Hakko, Pace) look great after years of occasional use. I'd recommend some practice and experimentation. A solder pot isn't likely to improve your situation, the tip tinner I linked just might.

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:09:53 pm
content: A tub of chip quik no clean flux (possibly water solutable - lost the cap).It's really hard to apply an appropriate amount.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:32:29 pm
content: Get a better iron to start, that Weller is ancient technology.A modern iron shouldn't ever require cranking the temperature.I've been using the sametiny Hakko tipfor years, but since you are using low temp solder you might want something temperature adjustable (T245, etc.).

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:35:04 pm
content: Quote from: incf on April 16, 2025, 11:09:53 pmIs your solder flux-core??

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2025, 11:52:24 pm
content: Yes. Chip Quick germanium doped lead free.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 12:09:08 am
content: Quote from: incf on April 16, 2025, 11:52:24 pmI've no direct experience with that specific product, so perhaps try something different?

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 12:15:47 am
content: Quoteget down the toyshop/pound shop and grab some paint brushes

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 12:46:16 am
content: Quote from: themadhippy on April 17, 2025, 12:15:47 amIt's a solid chunk of wax like consistency. Do people preheat their flux? Or dilute it with solvents?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2025, 12:58:42 am
content: Quote from: incf on April 17, 2025, 12:46:16 amMost of use use some kind of paste or liquid flux, and a dispenser. egflux syringe. Very easy to dispense.But you can mix with a solvent and put into a squeeze dispenser bottle if you like. Big clive style.