Automatic Tip Cleaners (less expensive options) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2024, 11:04:47 am
content: i'm interested in an auto tip cleaner but don't want to spend jbc money. i don'treallywant to spend even a couple hundred.https://hakkousa.com/ft-720-tip-cleaner.htmlat ~125usd shipped, this one's kinda tempting. anyone have it?thing is, is it actually a step up from the yihua crappers et al. on ali?https://www.aliexpress.us/w/wholesale-automatic-soldering-iron-tip-cleaner.htmlthe 200C's reviewed here by SDG:the hakko build quality looks a little better, but i'd like you all's thoughts on it.also, is there anything else i should be looking at?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2024, 09:48:53 pm
content: Construction ooks to be essentially the same as the yihua.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2024, 09:07:15 pm
content: I have a YIHUA 200C on order from amazon that should be here by Saturday. The 50 buck (US) Yihua appears to be a cheapy version of the Hakko FT-720, but now includes 6 "improved" brass brushes that appear to be much fuller and thicker than what was originally included. I'll post the results when it gets here.As I am nearing retirement and closing up shop, I will be going from "professional" to "hobbyist" usage; therefore I had no intention whatsoever of paying JBC or Metcal prices for a top-of-the-line unit. First time I have ever cheaped-out on tooling... I'll just hide it behind all of the expensive JBC, Hakko, Pace and Metcal gear.I did watch all of the available Hakko videos, and concluded that the Hakko FT-700 would be a marginally better performing unit than the FT-720, with higher quality brass brushes but no automatic activation. Inconvenient and higher priced too.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2024, 03:06:51 am
content: Quote from: Arts on July 25, 2024, 09:07:15 pmmy possibly incorrect impression is that the 720's a newer product and is intended for routine cleaning, whereas the 700's focused on rejuvenation of abused/oxidized tips.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2024, 03:59:16 pm
content: I did see a brochure for their tip cleaners, and you are correct, the FT-700 is tagged for oxide removal. The others, more for light cleaning and excess solder removal.The other models all seem to come with very sparse resin/synthetic-based brushes, but do offer (equally sparse) metal brushes as replacements.My feeling was that for the limited effectiveness of the lighter models (just my opinion, based on videos), I would get similar results with the usual brass wool and sponge method. The reason that I went with the YIHUA 200C was because the metal brushes were more in line with those in the FT-700, and "might" be able to deal with my occasional oxidation issues. I guess we'll find out soon; the shipping says "out for delivery", haha.If you only deal with leaded solder and work at reasonable temperatures, the oxidation issue really shouldn't be a problem.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2024, 10:46:14 pm
content: Metcal SFV-CH25AR tip.

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2024, 10:46:54 pm
content: After cleaning;

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 12:18:15 am
content: Sometimes the simplest solutin is the cleverest.Since 1960s we use wet Sponge. Reuse old one from the kitchen....No tip damge, no power,j

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 12:43:46 am
content: If you want to have that discussion here for some reason, simplest solution is brass wool, no having to screw around with constantly wetting the sponge or replacing it when it gets dirty.Quotehttps://www.newark.com/pdfs/techarticles/oki-metcal/extendingTipLife.pdf

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 01:22:43 am
content: brass spongers are OK too,the sponges for Metcal and Hakko have a hole in the middel for the dross.j

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 01:25:50 am
content: Quote from: jonpaul on July 27, 2024, 12:18:15 amYeah, sure. Now go take a ride in your Model T....

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2024, 07:03:19 pm
content: Arts: "Yeah, sure. Now go take a ride in your Model T...."Walk, metro, bus in Paris....2007 Volvo still works fine!ENJOY!Jon

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 11:31:13 am
content: Quote from: jonpaul on July 27, 2024, 12:18:15 amEven for people that use sponges, suggesting a reused old kitchen sponge islunacy.You not only don’t want some old-ass sponge full of god-only-knows what contaminants, you don’t even want to use anewkitchen sponge because they often contain ingredients that decompose in heat to compounds that are damaging to tips. The same document thm_w linked also says this:QuoteSo if you choose to stick with sponges, they still need to be the right kind of sponges, moistened with distilled/deionized water.But of course there’s a reason the industry has largely moved away from sponges: brass wool works better. It’s gentler on the tips, and it doesn’t cause as big a loss in tip temperature. Those are particularly important when using lead-free, due to the higher temperatures involved.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2024, 11:34:03 am
content: Quote from: Arts on July 26, 2024, 10:46:54 pmThe tip was practically brand new, in immaculate condition, before cleaning. How does it perform on a tip that’s actually been through real use, with accumulated, crusty flux residues, etc?

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 07:30:21 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on July 27, 2024, 12:43:46 amthanks for sharing that. i never knew about tip construction. it always bothered me that i couldn't tin the whole tip. i had assumed i just missed the boat and was not fast enough in getting the whole surface before it oxidized, but now i know that it's like that by design (prevents unwanted solder migration up into the iron) and not possible to tin the whole thing anyways due to the nickel-chrome plating beyond the work surface.also, even though i'm not a sponge guy, it's good to know to not use any sponge not specifically made for soldering.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2024, 07:38:59 pm
content: Quote from: Arts on July 25, 2024, 09:07:15 pmdid you get it yet? i just ordered onehttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY2L66MG/interestingly, there is also a FT-710https://www.hakko.com/english/products/hakko_ft710.html

author: Arts
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2024, 12:41:02 am
content: Quote from: digger on August 03, 2024, 07:38:59 pmYes, I received it on July 26 and posted a quick response above on that date. Since then I've been using it regularly and it works very well. You do have to be careful not to push the barrel into the brushes; just the tip itself, otherwise it stalls out. I've found that it takes very little time for cleaning, a second or two does the trick.I have also tried using it with old tips that were really oxidized and did not respond to the usual brass wool and sponge treatment, and it seems to have brought them back to life.Will it wear out our tips? Maybe if you use it constantly. I'll only be using it when the tips are unable to take solder after the usual cleaning, so wear should be minimal.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2024, 01:18:33 am
content: If you still have a dodgy old tip - Can you share a before and after photo?TonyG

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2024, 09:44:47 pm
content: FT720 for 91 shipped from japan:https://www.ebay.com/itm/387037024129

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 07:24:33 am
content: Aixun CM30new product. ~85usd shipped from aliexpress.https://aixuntech.com/product/cm30-soldering-tip-cleaner/Quote from: aixun

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 07:26:31 am
content: you can wipe it on a dry paper towel too, it works. you need to be quick so it does not burn. But I like that you get a fresh area every time. It actually gets very clean.if its crudded up you can rub it on a piece of dry wood, which is somewhat more abrasive

author: Everbrave
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 08:10:21 am
content: Quite recently, I posted this one …https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/multicomp-pro-mp-182-soldering-tip-cleaner/https://images.app.goo.gl/x9tkRFU7jG5MMhyWAI got it and seems OK; the upper hole is for silicon brushes , the lower for brash brushes; still testing.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 08:33:06 am
content: All of my tips are sponge-worthy!

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 08:41:24 am
content: though it resulted inthm_w posting a very informative and interesting pdfwhich i am grateful for, i'm a little puzzled about suggestions for sponges, paper towels, wood, etc.lolthe thread's about automatic tip cleaners... ideally ones that don't cost many hundreds of USD like JBC

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 09:33:49 am
content: Quote from: digger on September 23, 2024, 07:24:33 am

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 04:40:26 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on September 23, 2024, 09:33:49 amWhat are you laughing at?I've got Capacitance Sensing Microsecond-Level Reaction on my shoe shine machine.My electric tooth brush has also has Capacitance Sensing Microsecond-Level Reaction.Who's got the time to wait for a Capacitance Sensing Millisecond-Level Reaction to switch it on?I don't know how the world has ever managed before Capacitance Sensing Microsecond-Level Reaction on their automatic soldering tip cleaner?Oh yeah, they used to usea freakin' sponge!Quote from: coppercone2 on September 23, 2024, 07:26:31 amPaper towel is very good, it also costs alot less than a JBC tip cleaner(Actually I use my jeans, ... but don't forget if you're wearing a skirt or shorts instead though).Regards,Xena.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 07:50:37 pm
content: you should try them instead of just thinking you need some kind of apparatus to do everything because they need an accessory to sell.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 07:56:12 pm
content: or, you know, instead of making assumptions about what others havetried, you couldtryto stay on topic. loli think i've tried most common tip cleaning products (besides stainless wool), and fwiw, my favorite manual method is brass wool.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 09:15:54 pm
content: BTW you know if you make some complicated machine you need a different one every time you switch solder types?There is a reason its not popularHave a good look with a magnifier on whatever fixture you even use to hold a brass sponge. Unless you give it adeep clean, there is a good chance you can contaminate your fresh soldering iron tip with the wrong kind of solder. They are filthy. Procedurally you don't even want to use the same solder stand, because its contaminated with tons of tiny little solder globules that get stuck all over it, and fall off randomly.Using wipes, or a sponge in a tray, that is easy, cheap and effective, plus it has a low chance of contamination. Who the hell knows what is inside of some "port" that you stick a iron into?This is one of those things that could lead to a failure but gives everyone a sense of professionalism. Likely to cause havok if it shows up in a factory or serious lab. Professional engineers are very wary of bad solder joints, their a huge freaking deal. Its the difference between being allowed to use your own creations for serious work to being relagated to hiring companies to do everything for you to ensure 'quality', after a quality/safety review gets a bad vibe from your complications.Alot of people here did important things (either for ensuring the success of a company reputation/quality wise, or even safety) and that is why people are suggesting you stay away from contraptions like this that mess with a age old proven soldering technique.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 09:45:03 pm
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on September 23, 2024, 09:15:54 pmthe machine does not seem complicatedQuote from: coppercone2 on September 23, 2024, 09:15:54 pmin my workspace, as the sole user of the device, i'd have a fair idea.the risk of cross-contamination applies to anything that can harbor solder... brass wool, used soldering iron tips, existing solder joints of unknown composition, etc. there's nothing inherently more risky about a mechanized tip cleaner.is the solution not simple? if in doubt, remove the solder from the joint, clean your iron tip, and apply fresh solder. do that a couple more times until your paranoia is quenched. or you could only do new work (no rework).in any case, thanks for the cross-contamination PSA, but i hope we can continue on to automatic tip cleaners from here

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2024, 10:59:46 pm
content: Quote from: digger on September 23, 2024, 07:56:12 pmI've been using steel wool for the past seven or eight years or so, I initially wasn't sure because the manufacturer described it as 'more aggressive' but, I don't do production volumes, and so for general use, I've not noticed any premature tip wearing.But perhaps the high-speed automatic cleaners might be better with the less aggressive brushes.One reason I'd like to try an automatic tip cleaner at some point, is that the tips can snag on the wool (JBC tips for instance have a bulge at the end). Not a bit issue, just takes a few seconds to occasionally clear that off, but would be great to improve on that.I don't want to spend a lot, so am interested in the sub-$100 options. Still kind of hoping others review first though!

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 01:23:14 am
content: i just ordered an aixun cm30 ($88 shipped, aliexpress), so we shall see. i'll do a teardown and review. i'll also try to compare it to yihua 200C ($50 shipped, amazon).Quote from: shabaz on September 23, 2024, 10:59:46 pmi've been very curious about stainless wool. did you get it from jbc? if i end up not liking automatic tip cleaners, maybe i'll try that out next for fun.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 02:09:18 am
content: QuoteQuoteYes I'm a sponge addict..."tssssss"

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 02:57:10 am
content: Hi,I've been using JBC CL6205.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 04:34:29 am
content: Quote from: DimitriP on September 24, 2024, 02:09:18 amthat is no joke if someone happened to use your equipment, you can swap the tip and sponge very easily. Merit based access control in labs exists, on paper. In reality its a purely political situation, if you even have a key on the lab. Some sales executives might feel 'unwelcome'. Your iron can get hit with one of those tiny dollar store solder kits to repair someones whatever. He has enough power to cancel your lab and three labs over, and recognizes "Alloy" to be the name of a ship in his yacht club.I can see how an argument might go if you dare accuse him of 'contaminating' something lol

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 05:50:28 am
content: @ Coppercone2I don't think your detractors understand the implications of customers detecting impure alloys in quality assurance of hi-rel work.Seriously:At my company even the use of brass scourers are not allowed as the brass transfers to the iron in the tip. (Sure it saves tip wear to use it and it four nines percent don't matter, but then loosing a contract of work for the sake of it is stupid).Auto tip cleaners were originally designed for use on high volume manual assembly lines where speed is important, in our hi-rel work, good assembly techs are doing 1 joint in several minutes, cleaning tip between each one with a fibreglass pad and then wiping on damp natural sponge, or similar.OK, tip cleaners are a fun gadget if you want an ornament for your hobby bench, but auditors from your hi-rel customer will perhaps advise you don't use them.Regards.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 06:03:47 am
content: Quote from: Xena E on September 24, 2024, 05:50:28 am🤔 i think anyone doing hi-rel work should understand how to deliver on that and do whatever's needed to get the job done properly. rather, what i don't understand is the relevance to this thread's topic of discussion. do you all routinely and repeatedly bring up risk of contamination any time soldering of any kind is discussed? honest question lolbut ok, don't use anything like brass wool or brush for paid hi-rel work. duly noted.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 06:48:33 am
content: I think there's a massive disconnect and perhaps a lack of comprehension about job roles in engineering. If it were so narrow, there'd be just a fraction of engineers here. There are thousands of design engineers, they get to choose which tools they feel they need for their job, it's their decision, because it's all about their productivity so that they ultimately _can_ meet customer needs. If they took several minutes to do one joint, that's zero value (and, if anything, detrimental) to the customer. Plus, (depending on how generous they are feeling) they will get their interns whatever tool they want and never verify the condition or even the presence of their sponges. Production-grade soldering is not part of those intern's job roles either.If DIY enthusiasts want to use or even try out low-cost automatic tip cleaners, perhaps it could help them decide and better articulate their criteria when deciding what tools they may want for their job. Even if the org is paying for it, you don't want them to waste money. If the low-cost automatic cleaning is not beneficial, that's fine. I'll still be very grateful if someone investigated it. Part of engineering is naturally trying to be more efficient and optimize processes, even if it's just a few seconds shaved-off tip cleaning. Good on those who try to do that and report back to help others.

author: Xena E
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 06:08:05 pm
content: Quote from: digger on September 24, 2024, 06:03:47 amWell, as you ask, yes I do. Not necessarily on forum, but there seems to be a misconception that auto tip cleaners are the dogs bollocks, and a must have best method.I've personally nothing against their use, and in manual high volume production of commercial grade work they're just fine. I just dont see an application outside that.If you're reviewing for company use, then they're not going to appreciate garbage that breaks down and doesn't have any wearing parts spares availability, there's a reason that Metcal, JBC, etc., are popular,andexpensive.If it's a little novelty item that will see minimal use, to clutter your hobby workbench, then buy the low end stuff, I've tried some of it but I won't comment because you don't want my opinion on the devices use case in the first place, apart from: you get what you pay for.Buy cheap, buy again.As for cutting corners and costs on the job to speed things up, by buying into gadgets like tip cleaners then you're in the kind of cutthroat competition market that isn't worth contemplating doing with manual assembly methods.I hope you find something that satisfies your retail needs.Regards.X

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 08:30:55 pm
content: Quote from: digger on September 24, 2024, 06:03:47 amThere is probably a good answer to this. If you are making a product that needs to be RoHS compliant you must have completely separate soldering systems for the lead-free and leaded soldering stuff. The rules say that contaminating your lead-free iron with leaded solder isn't allowed while still being RoHS compliant. If you are also ISO compliant, there are rules and procedures associated with all this stuff too that make sure you have separate systems and don't cross contaminate. It's sort of a big deal (as in a legal problem).Now does this apply to some dude in his garage? Not really. But not all of us around here are just dudes in their garages.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2024, 09:37:07 pm
content: Quote from: Smokey on September 24, 2024, 08:30:55 pmAnd the title of this thread is "less expensive options", if it wasn't obvious from the budget (<$100), its obvious now, we don't care about contamination.If you do care, then its just use the fiber brushes, blue and black core to distinguish leaded or lead freehttps://www.jbctools.com/cl2008-fiber-brushes-for-automatic-tip-cleaner-product-2191.html

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 03:31:15 am
content: Going back to the brass/steel discussion (and my question about whether the latter might be too aggressive for an automatic tool), it seems there is prior art for automatic cleaners with steel brushes, so it must work, at least with some combination of brushes and speed. The attached screenshot is from an 'Apollo-Seiko' tip cleaner for soldering robots.There's even an automatic sponge machine for those who really want that!This video was interesting; it's a vortex cleaner and needs an air supply, so none of that is cheap, but it was still interesting to see how it works; the presenter does a teardown, which reveals how the tip is sensed; there's likely an inductor there, and it (probably) detects the change in inductance caused by the metal tip/shaft.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2024, 10:54:58 am
content: Quote from: Smokey on September 24, 2024, 08:30:55 pmDo they actually say that? I thought RoHS only stipulated maximum concentrations of the prohibited substances in the final product. I have never heard about it specifying processes themselves.Quote from: Smokey on September 24, 2024, 08:30:55 pmThis, and perhaps IPC specs, make more sense in terms of proscribing how one must work.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2024, 09:26:44 am
content: i received the aixun cm30 but couldn't play with it today because it came with a euro plug wall wart. i'll try to wire up another 12VDC wall wart with the correct barrel plug tomorrow or somehow adapt the existing one as it is 120VAC input compatible. not sure if i have a EU->US travel adapter thing in my junk collection (but ofc i have US->EU for when i travel), but it's possible.i considered complaining to the ali seller, but i doubt it's worth the trouble. also, the listing didn't specify one way or the other. would you guys even bother? lolinitial impression is good though. it looks/feels quality on the outside. all metal housing. didn't take it apart yet, ofc.

author: digger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2024, 01:39:21 am
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aixun-cm30-automatic-tip-cleaner-teardown-and-review/i did a teardown/review of the aixun cm30. i have not used it long enough to say whether i prefer an automatic tip cleaner to brass wool, but assuming you like automatic tip cleaners, i feel ok about recommending it. it's probably the best inexpensive one you can get. it seems pretty high quality.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2025, 03:57:00 pm
content: Five-minute review of the CM30 (or see the summary screenshot attached):I thought it's not a bad product, it certainly functions, but not worth the price, especially if you already use metal wool for tip cleaning and don't solder for a living day-in day-out. If you didn't already have wool and a holder, then it might be worth it, if it's ever on discount.My (complete speculation of course) theory on the good construction of the mechanism, is that maybe they were intended for a robot soldering machine, and they had spares and packaged them into enclosures for human use.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 10:15:15 pm
content: I'd be checking these chinese models aren't causing long term wear due to the wire being a cheap overly abrasive substitute.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2025, 11:39:12 pm
content: Not sure how to check that. However, I think there's a low risk on that front because, just from personal experience, I've been using steel wool for the past decade (manually cleaning) with no issue, and the brushes on the cleaner are softer than that; granted, they are spinning, so the cleaning motion is totally different. However, some commercial robot cleaners with spinning motions use steel brushes.So, I think on that point, there's a good chance it may well be a non-issue for many, say for design engineering/prototype construction and for DIY enthusiasts. The tip cleaners certainly perform well for that, but to me, it's more irritating that there is a lack of spares.. which makes me think even more that maybe they are using robot cleaner machine parts to build these cleaners, and are just selling what they have.I also don't like the cost*.. I think it's not worth it. If they were half the current prices, that would be almost a no-brainer, especially for users who didn't already have metal wool and a holder for it.I'm currently using the Aixun automatic cleaner; I have not touched the JBC ball of metal wool since I've had the automatic cleaner. I do prefer to use the automatic cleaner. But still feels wrong to pay current prices for that benefit.Those soldering at a sustained level frequently, or for production items, ought to continue to use brand tools; they wouldn't (or shouldn't!) risk affecting their processes to save a few hundred $). I think they are not really the audience for the tip cleaner models being discussed.* EDIT: Plus, one may need to add on the cost of an AC-to-DC mains brick, depending on how confident they feel about the supplied one. I do not trust low-cost no-brand mains bricks, so I end up buying them locally from known trusted distributors.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 01:25:22 pm
content: Brass is not magnetic, some steels are. You could sand or file it down and check the color. Don't use steel unless you want to risk damaging your tips plating. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.Perhaps the next guy comes along follows your advice and fucks his expensive tips up. They might not use the same cleaning routine and a harsher stainless steel brush, there are a bunch of variables but the reason you don't use steel is because you're only wiping off some flux and the excess solder rather than trying to remove the soft tinned iron plating.If you look after your tips you can avoid them getting heavily oxidized and they become quite easy to clean (depends on flux though). Back in the day techs would wipe them on their jeans.

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 22, 2025, 02:26:04 pm
content: I'm using genuine (bought from an authorized supplier) JBC tips with it, i.e., top-end soldering iron bits. That is practical, I'm eating my own dog food, and I'm happy to update people with what I discover as I continue to use them with the cleaner, but I would say, who's to know whether others will receive the same brushes with their cleaner as me or not. There's no implicit guarantee here as one would hope for with a more established brand. For all you know, the next person might receive steel, brass, or whatever.I have used steel wool with JBC tips for about a decade and have not had to replace any tips. As mentioned, there are commercial robot cleaners that use steel wool, so there is some precedent for that. I'm comfortable with the risk; it's not the end of the world if a mistake is made here. I'm extremely comfortable with my decisions here and, morally, have no problem with the summary findings I described earlier.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2025, 01:09:08 pm
content: Chat GPT says stainless steel wire cleaners specifically for soldering tips are ok but the brass ones are better.My experience brushing my hair tells me it's all about the bristle ends hehe.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2025, 03:42:33 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on January 23, 2025, 01:09:08 pmWho cares?Why pollute the forum with AI answers? They’re so unreliable as to be useless, and those who want AI answers can seek them out themselves.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 04:41:02 am
content: AI tells me that from your response you probably didn't detect I was being factitious.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 27, 2025, 01:19:26 am
content: Quote from: Shock on January 25, 2025, 04:41:02 amWhy would you expect people to assume or “detect” that when people have been posting ChatGPT “answers” increasingly often in all seriousness?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2025, 03:25:15 am
content: I appreciate your perspective. I was trying to be a bit factitious with my comment, but I understand how that can be lost in text. Given the rise of AI-generated responses, I can see why it might come off as spam like. My intention was to add a bit of humor to the conversation, but I realize that tone can be hard to convey online. Thanks for pointing it out, I'm a bad boy and I'll never do it again.