Really confused about these tips. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: FreedOhm
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 01:34:32 am
content: Hi, i have a 25 watt weller soldering iron. (Sp25nkus) i am looking to buy some smd tips. The contact pads are about a millimeter. I was looking for tips but really couldnt find any that fit what i needed. Can you guys help me? I think the PTH8 looks good but might be too small. Also, for example, the pth8 says it fits tc201. Will it only fit for a tc201 or just any soldering pencil/station? Thanks.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 04:11:14 am
content: First of all, different irons require different tips. The Weller PTH tips won't suit your iron because they're a totally different size & construction - PTH tips are held in the iron by a removable sleeve, while your iron requires threaded tips that screw into the end of the barrel.Despite the sales brochure saying "Easy change tip with a variety of options", it looks like there's only 3 - the MT1 conical (that it comes with), the MT2 (3mm screwdriver), and the MT3 (3mm chisel). None of them are really suited for SMD work - conical tips suck for anything, and the rest are basically twice as big as the largest typical SMD pads (e.g. 1206 = ~1.6mm, SOIC = ~0.6mm).And that's ignoring the fact that your iron isn't temperature-controlled, which is almost a 100% necessity for SMD.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 04:15:46 am
content: The tip of the soldering iron does not have to be the same size as a typical pad for SMD soldering. A small chisel tip will be fine. Watch some videos on SMD soldering technique to see how it's done.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 06:22:43 am
content: Quote from: IanB on May 29, 2014, 04:15:46 amTrue, and I even use a 2.4mm D/screwdriver tip myself 90% of the time for everything down to TSSOP. But since the nature of the post suggested a lack of soldering experience, I deleted the para I'd written on technique - and, without practice & a decent technique, 3mm is "not really suitable". You would, as I said, be better off with the conical tip it comes with...

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 07:06:53 am
content: Quote from: Tac Eht Xilef on May 29, 2014, 06:22:43 amYou said that? I thought you said "conical tips suck for anything"?But sure, with care and a steady hand the conical tip will work.Quote from: Tac Eht Xilef on May 29, 2014, 04:11:14 am

author: FreedOhm
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 11:19:49 am
content: Thanks the reply. Is there really a difference between non weller tips? Because thats the only option right now thats good for me with buying a new ironAlso, i just got enough money to buy a new station. I have decided to buy a Weller WES51. obviously i need tips. I've seen the tips but really not sure about which ones to buy. I remember some guy telling me not to buy pointed or sharp tips. But Collin (Collins Lab) recommends long conical tips. I know conical tips dont help with heat transfer but does this also apply to LONG tips too? What is the difference between single flat and screwdriver tips? Thanks for anyone for clearing this up. I've seen countless forums and videos but none of them tells me which is right.

author: mayor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2014, 12:51:03 pm
content: What's probably most important is getting brand name tips. I'd stick with Weller if you go for that station. Cheap chinese tips tend to oxidize, and make soldering difficult. For smd, the easiest is a chisel tip, even if that appears counter intuitive. The trick is to use a minimal amount of solder, AND you have to use flux, and drag solder the pins. Conical is worthless. It would actually be way more difficult to solder each pin individually. Just let the flux do its job and don't worry about the tip touching multiple pins simultaneously.As someone said, check drag soldering videos. Dave even has some up from previous entries.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2014, 07:58:24 pm
content: Quote from: FreedOhm on May 29, 2014, 11:19:49 amYes and No. It depends on the source.Generally speaking, it's best to stick to tips from the manufacturer. That said, there are good quality 3rd party tip manufacturers (bit cheaper, which makes the bean counters happy). Plato would be an example (EasyBraid and Zephyrtronics too). With an unknown Asian supplier, you're far more likely to get garbage that could actually damage your iron, so it's best to avoid these IMHO.In the specific case of Weller, their tip quality is all over the place IME. Fortunately Plato can step in for these situations when possible (theirEW seriesfits a Weller WES51).There are companies such as Mouser that will sell singles (EW series in singles), so you don't have to buy 10 packs or larger.Question and a related request though....Where are you located?I ask, as the Hakko FX-888D would be a better iron than the Weller IMHO overall, particularly due to the tips (Hakko makes excellent tips that will last you a long time before needing replacement). Location would determine if this is a realistic option though, as they're easily had for the same money here in the US, but much harder to locate in Europe for example, and more expensive.Also, could you go into your user profile and set your country. This way, your nation's flag will display under your userID. Makes it a lot easier to post relevant links (pricing and availability) for us, and you won't have to constantly answer where you're located.Quote from: FreedOhm on May 29, 2014, 11:19:49 amDo keep in mind, there's as much personal preference involved, as there is technical capability of the tip (will the tip do the specific job at hand).As a general rule, I'd recommend a selection of chisels/screwdrivers (different sizes), as these tend to be most people's go-to tips, as they're suitable for so many joints. Regarding conical/pointed tips, they can have their uses as well IMHO. I particularly find them useful for tacking down corners for drag soldering when a chisel/screwdriver isn't as precise as I need (really small/fine point in such a case; I don't use the large ones), and mine are meant specifically for an iron designed for SMD work, so please keep this in mind (I use anNT1for this = 0.25mm point x 7.4mm long, so about the size of a freshly sharpened wood pencil lead).Other shapes may be meant for more specific jobs, such as one designed specifically for drag soldering. Might see names like gull wing, which is used by Weller for example (brand specific due to trademark issues), and Plato refers to it as SMD reflow (.pdf page of their EW series). Others that work for this, but also general purpose, would be hoof or bevel types.I also found bent chisels to be quite useful, but the tips offered can vary. Don't see on available from Plato at all for the EW series for example.As per extra length, those can be handy for tight spaces, and also tend to have extra mass. Think of that extra mass as a larger heat reservoir, which can make it easier and faster to make a joint, particularly on ground or power planes for example (can pour more heat into the joint at initial contact). I don't find these used that much, but they certainly have their place.There's lots of info out there if you're interested. Few examples to get you started.How to Maximize Soldering Iron Tip LifeChecklist to Maximize Tip LifeRecommendations on Soldering Tip SelectionHand Soldering BasicsBetter SolderingPages on Tip Shapes & Examples of Use(click links for info)Video series from Pace(these are on the old side, but still extremely useful).