Tinning

[icor1031]

Is the the right stuff for tinning the tip of my soldering iron?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00176KQ32/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Harald Kapp]

This is flux only. You need this if your solder does not contain flux. All electronics solders I've come across already conatin flux, so there's no need for an additional fluxer.

 

[icor1031]

Oh, I was hoping it was a cheap version of this:
http://www.amazon.com/Tinner-Cleane...TF8&qid=1384333569&sr=8-2&keywords=tip+tinner

Do you know where I can get something like this for cheap?

Thanks!

 

[Harald Kapp]

Sorry, no. I don't use this. Just ensure that you clean the tip of the iron before soldering e.g. on a wet sponge (as supplied with many soldering stations) and that you apply some tin after soldering to protect the tip of the iron. The water and some small amount of solder are the least expensice way of keeping the tip of the iron in good order for a long time.

 

[jpanhalt]

Actually, that material contains non-lead tinning metals:


Here's a link to its MSDA: http://www.oatey.com/msds/SOL250E6_OATEY_NO_95_LEAD_FREE_TINNING_FLUX.pdf

Note that it contains zinc chloride, which is a component of the flux used in acid-core solder. If you use this "flux" for tinning a soldering tip for electronics, be sure to wipe the tip well afterwards. Most important, do not use that material as a soldering flux for electronics.

Edit: I use a Kester Tinning Block (Kester # 51-0000-0005) when my tip needs heavy cleaning. Usually a wet sponge, as mentioned, suffices. The Kester block is sal ammoniac (ammonium chloride). While there are similarities between zinc chloride and ammonium chloride, the latter evaporates completely when heated while the former does not. Both contain chloride, which you woudlwant to wipe off before using to solder electronics.

John

 

[davenn]

BTW,
Welcome to the Electronics Point Forums, jpanhalt

I am assuming the same one as from the Electro Tech forums ?
tis good to have you aboard

cheers
Dave

 

[jpanhalt]

@davenn
Yep, same old guy. Thank you for the welcome.

John