Soldering Iron Tip Cleaning

[@sbd923]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. As a beginner, I didn’t know how to properly ‘tin the tip’ and I also struggled with proper cleaning of the tip. Having this knowledge moving forward is going to make all the difference. Much appreciated.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Thanks for watching. Glad this helped!

[@brettsima9]

100% for me, too... Thank you for this insightful tutorial!

[@Ocelot35]

Always clean the tip, man. Come on.

[@85therealdeal]

Actually appreciate being shown the proper way to use the Tip Tinner I wasn't 100% I was doing it right, thanks!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

No problem!

[@petervansan1054]

yeah I burned the sponge LOL

[@ScorchinScooter]

I am here in 2023! I have and love that Weller WES51 soldering station! I just recently started to use that tip Tinner and it is awesome too!! I need to get the Hakko tip cleaner thingy! I just use the sponge but it is getting worn out. Thanks for doing this video! It is helpful!

[@jakethesnake4040]

Thanks for this video. I’ve been having trouble with my soldering iron. I’m new to soldering but Ive been doing it for a few months because I got into different game system mods that require it. And my solder stopped sticking to the tip. Didn’t meet properly. And was overall annoying to work with and no matter what I tried it didn’t seem to work. Sponges. The dry cleaner. But this clearly explained why that happens. And how to fix that. Granted my tip is too far gone. The end has degraded. But I bought replacements. And now I know how to properly use and take care of my tools. Thank you for explaining everything and offering multiple options for different things.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@rayandrews8886]

Thanks for the video. A couple of my tips were really badly "furred up" to the point they were unusable. I did not have any tip cleaner so I got the tip nice and hot and dipped into a pot if plumbers flux then cleaned on the sponge. A couple of repeats and the tip cleaned up beautifully.

[@busyboxst7]

Fyi, some manufacturers recommend using the metal ball ones like this -> put it in, rotate, remove. Supposed to be a gentle process, not much force. Don't have to stab or push/pull sideways etc. Heat loss wise on sponges, it depends how quickly the station recovers and how quickly you move from sponge to next workpiece. If you just dab quickly the sponge it's not excessive. If you hold it against it, rub it around on there over and over it can drop the temp pretty severely (at least according to some stations' temp gauges.. again, just depends how quickly you need the temp all the way back up). If the tip is tinned well, I doubt it needs a huge rub mid-work, just pat. Sandpaper wise, I agree. First try a wire brush, then something like a softer polishing stone (weller one is ~ $10 for example). For some units, the sponge replacements are like $10 for a stack of them on amazon.

[@emmarossignol4445]

Thank you so much for this! I'm just barely getting more into soldering after dealing with a cheapo Radioshack iron for a few years, and I was looking for something that had the context of audio electronics specifically. When you started talking about TRS jacks I felt like I was home.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@bokexd3173]

Thanks for advice! Really I just needed to know if these sponges need to be wet

[@gonzalozech]

This is the video I was looking for

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@acanosa01]

You deserve more views dude, keep these videos coming! Great info!

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Thanks!

[@AJbassist]

most his connect facts no flash or gas so it cuts down on viewers sadly, but he deserves more view 100% agree

[@thequintessentialgamer7514]

Thank you for this. Been making my own soldering station with all the gadgets for the first time want to keep my stuff nice.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Glad I could help!

[@G5Hohn]

Thermal cycling isn't a problem. The tip can get hot and cold millions of times and not be negatively affected IF the hot part of the cycle isn't oxiding and IF the heat flow outward isn't a shock that might crack the tip. Keep in mind, the tips are cast iron and brittle.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

How long does a tip last you?

[@G5Hohn]

@@AlphatoneAudio I don't know. Since I bought my Hakko 951 I've not had to replace one yet. THe 3.5mm chisel I use most for this station is short and squatty so it has very good heat capacity. Which means I can do all my soldering down around 340C (644F) and tips will last nearly forever at that temperature. Add that I use mild fluxes (P1 and P2 Alpha Telecore or Reliacore) and the standby mode of the 951 handpiece rest-- LONG tip life.

[@thefishinggamekeeper5713]

So, replace the sponge of copper brass piece. Can use sandpaper or tip tinner. Neat.

[@stack.1]

I use brass metal sponges and they clean well plus you don't have to deal with liquid reducing your tip temperature + the water speeds up oxidization I believe

[@DeborahWalker-c7w]

If you keep a ball of solder on your tip before you place it into your stand in between solder joints and after use, it will protect your tip from oxidation and make your tips last longer. The tip tinner will also strip your iron if you use it too often.

[@MrMaorosh]

if tip purpose to exchange hit, why i need to use tip tinner, tip no need to hold soldier on it, as far as i know ? or am i wrong ?

[@kaikart123]

Copper scouring ball is really magical the first time I tried it. My solder tip won't get clean using my damp sponge, but one brush to the ball is all I need to cover the tip with tin.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

I generally use a sponge, but I find I have to use the ball every ten minutes or so to stay as clean as I'd like.

[@surenetto1102]

does the sponge need water?

[@robylintjables]

Very good video, perfect explanations. A++

[@Grayback1973]

Thank you for this. I solder a lot and I finally upgraded to a Stahl DDSS station.The iron quality is way better than the cheap $20.00 ones I've been using the last few years so I want to be sure I'm cleaning the tip properly to get long lasting use out of it. When you are done soldering and coat the tip with some tin before shutting it off, do you flick the excess solder off and then put it in the holder or do you just let the mound sit on the tip until the next time you fire it up?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Good for you! I just leave the solder on the tip.

[@bbrowne]

Appreciate the eco input on disposing of used items, and how to use a tip tinner properly:)

[@rongarza9488]

Great advice! Thanks. BRICKS. I mount these -- and also helping hands -- with double-stick foam tape on clean bricks. Nothing moves.

[@kejung1]

Perfect explanation! Many 🙏

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Thanks for watching!

[@irishguy200007]

Can a stealthy mesh be used or will it damage the tip?

[@Fred_the_Head]

The less often you clean and tin your iron tip the more quickly you oxidize and degrade your soldering iron. I never used Tip Tinner. I understand that Tip Tinner is acidic and this acidity can slowly dissolve the tip.

[@infected7258]

Is there a way to clean the whole iron not just the tip, I know it’s not necessary but Is there

[@cpu_1292]

as the brass sponge gets clumped, you can turn it around and the other side may still be good

[@matrixmodulator]

that foam in the weller handle melted away in the first hours of use when i bought it and i was not using high temps lol

[@clearcreek69]

I ordered a copper tip cleaner & yesterday I bought a 3pk of stainless steel spiral scrubbers thinking they'll do the same thing. I've used a stabbing motion when cleaning my tips but haven't tried twisting yet. I might look into tip tinner also

[@senseisecurityschool9337]

For anyone else thinking this, get BRASS scrubbers from Walmart or your local store, not stainless steel. Steel will ruin the layers on your soldering tip over a few hundred uses.

[@donaldhenke2750]

how often can you use tip tinner? please

[@JasonSheesley]

You shouldn't need it often. I haven't had to reuse it since I made this video almost a year ago.

[@G5Hohn]

I've completely abandoned the damp sponge and use the brass wool only. I have seen no need for the sponge anymore, and the thermal shock of the damp sponge seems a negative for tip life.

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Why? Have you ever heard of a fractured tip? Lol

[@Electronzap]

Sounds good.

[@RenElknite]

its also important to buy a GOOD QUALITY solder wire.

[@MajidKhan-ov5xv]

From where I can get that scrubber 😔😔

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Links in the description.

[@Kawabungadude77]

Pro tip: to hold your stuff down use gorilla putty or blue take might also work 2:56 for reference

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Hi. Thanks.

[@hanipatter7005]

Finally a video i understand

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Awesome!

[@domanater480]

My tips keep going bad only after a few joints? I’m cleaning them regularly and tinning so don’t know why this is happening. One of my tips dissolved entirely

[@AlphatoneAudio]

My last tip lasted me about two years, and as you can imagine I solder a lot. Make sure to always keep a drop of fresh solder on the tip when it's in the stand between joints.

[@Brian-uq6jm]

My experience tells me that you use too much heat. Measure your tip temperature and see if it matches what your iron displays. I generally solder around 300C, and tips last a long time.

[@guitarman_3693]

if your soldering wires , dont let the plastic insulator get stuck to the wire.. i have pulled the wire end thru sandpaper to clean before i solder... i also use flux core solder

[@forthosewhodare7325]

Hey great vid, but why do you have a Hakko cleaner when you're using a Weller iron?

[@AlphatoneAudio]

All the wire mesh cleaners function the same, no worries in mixing brands.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

As if the cleaner and the iron will know they are not the same brand, smh

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

Do your shoe and sock brands always match?

[@errolpereira8292]

Clean your tip often gentleman, your girl will thank you

[@L907-l2c]

Never use sand paper . You don't wanna remove tin and chrome coating.

[@tracyjeffreys]

Thank you.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

My pleasure!

[@Skman22]

Brilliant thanks.

[@AlphatoneAudio]

glad I could help

[@Punmaster9001]

My only complaint is the audio in this video is really low.

[@sigitardianto16]

When it hot, i cant clean it

[@shivabc2418]

I like these vidoes

[@AlphatoneAudio]

Thanks!

[@cosy1234]

140 seconds of sponge

[@peteleoni9665]

"Hazmat" click....

[@bmzaron713]

Legendary tip: milk

[@daingovender6164]

No no no! Never use a kitchen sponge!

[@PikriaHermann]

amazing

[@dontblameme6328]

Hazmat? Hahahahaha!

[@irishguy200007]

I had mine in a pool of water, what an idiot I am.

[@bmck9097]

Please don't put yourself down. Your learning. We were all there at one time. Good luck and keep learning. Just the fact that your here watching this video shows your smart.

[@elpedomasgrande1]

you ramble so much!!!!

[@justaguy4real]

dude i cannot hear you

[@edgardosoriano4864]

Too much talk!

[@cannabisanomaly]

big lock picking lawyer energy

[@renatocubi965]

Bla bla bla bla

[@clobel55]

yaketi yak talk a lot to say nothing

[@ZaHrius]

A lot of talking... could’ve gotten to the actual points a lot quicker

[@ralph-ralphdeguzman6091]

Your english speaking is fast, i couldnt get it

[@VndNvwYvvSvv]

I had it on 2x and it's still tedious.

[@ralph-ralphdeguzman6091]

@@VndNvwYvvSvv i already got it when i slowed the play