I'm considering getting either a dry tip cleaner, either one from DX ($6) or the Hakko 599B-02 ($12 at my local store) as an upgrade from my regular damp sponge. Is it worth it to spend double for a Hakko-brand cleaner? TIA.
Nope.
CrossRoads:
Nope.
+1
I wouldn't go for either personally.
I'm sticking to my wet sponge, and also using this:
It's amazing stuff.
majenko:
I'm sticking to my wet sponge, and also using this:
It's amazing stuff.
I've been having some issues with temperature loss when using a wet sponge. Also, aren't "tip tinners" just a mixture of solder and (more) weak flux?
Kudu:
I've been having some issues with temperature loss when using a wet sponge. Also, aren't "tip tinners" just a mixture of solder and (more) weak flux?
No, there's an abrasive element in there as well to scrape the tip.
majenko:
Kudu:
I've been having some issues with temperature loss when using a wet sponge. Also, aren't "tip tinners" just a mixture of solder and (more) weak flux?No, there's an abrasive element in there as well to scrape the tip.
Interesting. It's always been recommended to me not to abrase the tip regularly, but I'm just a beginner.
Kudu:
majenko:
Kudu:
I've been having some issues with temperature loss when using a wet sponge. Also, aren't "tip tinners" just a mixture of solder and (more) weak flux?No, there's an abrasive element in there as well to scrape the tip.
Interesting. It's always been recommended to me not to abrase the tip regularly.
Only because that removes the nice tinned layer that helps it work. This puts it back on again at the same time.
majenko:
Kudu:
majenko:
Kudu:
I've been having some issues with temperature loss when using a wet sponge. Also, aren't "tip tinners" just a mixture of solder and (more) weak flux?No, there's an abrasive element in there as well to scrape the tip.
Interesting. It's always been recommended to me not to abrase the tip regularly.
Only because that removes the nice tinned layer that helps it work. This puts it back on again at the same time.
Ah, I see. Thanks.
I heard that regular copper-coated scourers can be substituted for these higher-end tip cleaners, the major difference being the lack of a flux coating. What do you think? Do they do the job?
I really just prefer a wet sponge personally. My wife likes the brass curly shaving-looking thing in a cup.
Kudu:
majenko:
Kudu:
majenko:
Kudu:
I've been having some issues with temperature loss when using a wet sponge. Also, aren't "tip tinners" just a mixture of solder and (more) weak flux?No, there's an abrasive element in there as well to scrape the tip.
Interesting. It's always been recommended to me not to abrase the tip regularly.
Only because that removes the nice tinned layer that helps it work. This puts it back on again at the same time.
Ah, I see. Thanks.
I heard that regular copper-coated scourers can be substituted for these higher-end tip cleaners, the major difference being the lack of a flux coating. What do you think? Do they do the job?
I used (solid copper versions) them all the time with my radio shack irons, as the wet sponge caused them to fracture and rot away, and the brass sponges were more expensive than the irons. I still use them when I accidentally get plastic or some other hard crud on the iron, but they are more abrasive than the brass, and leave your tip very dry
pro-tip though, make sure its solid copper, I got some at family dollar that were copper coated, and made a freaking mess as the coating would flake off and junk up the tip and my desk.
I only ever had Weller solder iron station, did not have any flaking/rotting problem.
The tips on X-Tronic 4000 that I am using now
http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-TRONIC-4000-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-/120571221985?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c129ad7e1
seem to be good also.
Both Weller (for the TCP series) and Hakko recommend against filing the tips as it removes the plating that will take solder (tinnable plating) I wonder if the abrasive does the same thing.
That being said I will try the Ersin product.
They, in my not so humble opinion make the best lead tin solder (really the flux I think) I have ever used (it was also the first solder I used...
When I was 14 I passed my Mil Spec soldering test and that was the solder used so more likely than anything else it is a sentimental thing.
As to the "Brass" cleaner by Hakko, one came with the iron and I love it, I have both and distilled water for the sponge as well (prevents lime from building up on the sponge and they last about 5 times as long).
The "Brass Cleaner" seems to do as good a job as the sponge and it 'keeps' the residue trapped... no solder balls and crumbs to be cleaned from the work place.
Doc
All are good tips. The only problem is to have enough time to test them all and see witch one is the best.
CrossRoads:
I only ever had Weller solder iron station, did not have any flaking/rotting problem.
The tips on X-Tronic 4000 that I am using now
http://www.ebay.com/itm/X-TRONIC-4000-HOT-AIR-REWORK-SOLDERING-IRON-STATION-/120571221985?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c129ad7e1
seem to be good also.
radio shack tips are soft metal with a cosmetic chrome coating, wet sponge + stupid hot tip, and they will carve out a divot in a couple months, I switched over to a real copper "chore boy" brand scowering pad and used the same tip for a year and a half before I got my XY-Tronic, and by then I had firmly set my mind to screw the yellow sponge. (course I use a brass sponge on my nice tip, but I solder almost every single day and I am still using the same tip the iron came with, 4 years later and it looks brand new)
I regularly use the brass wool cleaner. Used for my years distilled water and found that with the brass cleaner I get the same or better results, no mess no thermal stress on the tip. In general they last longer. To avoid corrosion I always leave a solder blob after use.
The current tip I have is over a year and it's working like the first day, I use it almost on a daily basis.