Brass tip cleaner substitute? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Serge125
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 01:06:27 am
content: Hi all!!I was wondering if I can use big scoring pads for kitchen use (pic) instead of the brass tip cleaner? They look the same and wonder if I could use this instead of the brass ones.Thanks for any tips on this!!Serge

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 01:13:58 am
content: They may be impregnated with soap, which would be quite annoying on a soldering tip. The pukka brass tip cleaners are instead coated in rosin.The metal appears to be different as well, I don't know what it is: nickel? It would be quite irritating if it was a tin alloy and melted as you tried to use it.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 01:17:44 am
content: Quote from: Serge125 on May 20, 2020, 01:06:27 amYou can, if you want to churn through tips blazing fast and throw them into trash bin.

author: John B
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 01:46:37 am
content: The brass ones designed for soldering wont abrade the tip. Those kitchen ones are for scrubbing stainless steel. The brass ones are pretty cheap too even from electronic suppliers, why risk your soldering iron tips?

author: KingSolomon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 02:26:28 pm
content: You can buy a set of 10 real brass tip cleaners for only 7 USD. They should last you a while.https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltronics-BC-10-Solder-Cleaning-Wire/dp/B00NS49LPU/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2QT7370259YOX&dchild=1&keywords=brass+solder+cleaner&qid=1589984735&sprefix=brass+solde%2Caps%2C528&sr=8-4

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 02:31:52 pm
content: Quote from: Serge125 on May 20, 2020, 01:06:27 amThose soft stainless wool pads work fine and last and last.For cheap Hakko tips and their clones you won't kill the plating on them in any hurry at all.

author: Vovk_Z
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2020, 03:13:57 pm
content: I use thick multi-layer paper napkin or high-quality toilet paper. Often I clean a tip by my fingers (I have thick trained skin).Metal tip cleaner is good only for old copper tips. For actual steel long-life tips with a special cover you can't use metal cleaner - it's no good.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 09:42:47 am
content: Quote from: Vovk_Z on May 20, 2020, 03:13:57 pmNonsense, brass wool works well and is default option for many expensive soldering stations. Another option is wet sponge, but it creates thermal shock, especially when used with higher temperatures for lead-free soldering.Quote

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:16:27 am
content: Not just any sponge. You want a cellulose sponge or at least something that won't melt. Cellulose is convenient and cheap.The paper idea is simply a make do cellulose sponge substitute. I've done it myself in a mechanical shop.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:34:11 am
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on May 21, 2020, 10:16:27 amIt's obvious for anyone with some clueQuoteI do not see him saying it was wet.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:47:56 am
content: Quote from: wraper on May 21, 2020, 10:34:11 amBut you overlooked it.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:50:26 am
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on May 21, 2020, 10:47:56 amI did not overlook anything. It's just you acting Captain Obvious. If someone says he drank water, it's implied it's unlikely that it was done from dirty puddle unless said otherwise (any water/ any sponge analogy).

author: Vovk_Z
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 11:44:00 am
content: Quote from: wraper on May 21, 2020, 10:34:11 amDry paper, of cause. 10x10 centimeters piece of paper lasts for quite a long time for me. And as it was said - there isn't thermal shock as with a wet sponge.I have sponges but usually, just don't use them. It is much easier for me to throw away a used piece of multi-layer paper and take a new one.One more reason for a multi-layer paper - I lay it down near around a solder reel, so when solder (with rosin) spatter - it spatters rosin right onto the paper, but not onto my table. So paper works on two jobs simultaneously - I clean a tip and ibid get a new solder.