Elenco SL-540 Soldering Station - Any compatible tips besides Elenco brand? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 08:28:36 pm
content: Does anyone know if there are any soldering iron tips not made by Elenco but happen to be compatible with the Elenco SL-540 soldering station? Elenco's tips are difficult to find locally, would like to have some other options...SL-540:http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Soldering-Station-40W-Iron/dp/B0002KW4AC

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 08:33:40 pm
content: Looks like this is made by Zhongdi

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 11:30:22 pm
content: Get chisel tips. They work better than the conical tips. Remember to get good solder (63/37 is what I use) and liquid flux and Bob's your uncle.

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2015, 01:51:15 am
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on March 07, 2015, 11:30:22 pmYeah, I've actually got a Hakko FX888-D and a couple of different genuine Hakko tips, but I made the mistake of buying this Elenco soldering station several years ago and the included Elenco tip went bad pretty quickly, so it's been a paper weight for a couple years now. I'm looking to make this 2nd soldering station operational again since I have it hanging around and it's probably not worth selling because of the low value + shipping cost.Who's Bob?Quote from: wraper on March 07, 2015, 08:33:40 pmWow, thanks! Do you know anywhere that sells these in low quantity? I just need 1 or 2. Checked Amazon and eBay with no luck, requested a quote on global sources.com for a sample...but I'm guessing it's like on Alibaba where they try to charge you some insane shipping charge for their "free sample" :http://zhongdi.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008802911225/Showroom/3000000206273/32672/Soldering-tip.htm

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2015, 11:20:58 am
content: Quote from: salil on March 08, 2015, 01:51:15 amNot sure what you used for search terms, but they're available on eBay (Elenco soldering iron tip). They even have akit, and may actually be easier.Doesn't appear you'll have much trouble distinguishing from the powdered looking material vs. the fully plated versions based on the photographs.

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2015, 04:47:11 pm
content: Yeah, I saw the Elenco ones but I suppose the point of my post was to find some other options...for example if any Weller tips are compatible or something more widely available.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2015, 08:31:03 pm
content: Quote from: salil on March 08, 2015, 04:47:11 pmIf you want to try to see if a Weller would fit, then look at theET series. Same basic design, but I don't know if the dimensions are even close (didn't mention them previously for this reason; think the ET has a shorter collar to end length where it contacts the heating element, but can't be sure).

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 08, 2015, 08:48:08 pm
content: There are some on ebay and amazon if you search for Zhongdi or ZD-99, Elenco too. However, I consider buying such tips a waste of money as Soldering iron and tips are crap anyway. I got such New for free a long time ago, "donated" it to my father. However, frankly, Soviet made 25W unregulated firestick with simple copper tip performs much better than this crap. Although the tip is almost unused, it is almost impossible to tin it. Clean the tip with wet sponge, then it gets tinned partially but after a minute all the solder is gone away again.