Hello everyone. I had the most unpleasant soldering and desoldering experience last night.I have done very little soldering and only 1 or 2 wires in the past.But last night I was desoldering some wires in a very tight space and trying to resolder some components.Usually I would clean the tip with emory paper till shiny before plugging the iron in and tin the iron and then solder without any problems but this time I had many wires(components) to solder and desolder so the iron was kept on for a long time .The iron would keep oxidizing constantly and I would try to clean it while hot with emory paper or a knife but impossible!!!!! The iron would not clean and I could not tin it and get much work done plus burning myself along the way. What am I doing wrong, and how can you clean it.Do you have to unplug it constantly or use a big file to really scrape it or some abrasive grind stone ????

What model of iron? Probably it was running too hot. I keep mine at 700 degrees F. But it also depends on the tip material: the better irons are iron-plated copper. Iron doesn't tin readily but it can be done with acid flux (wiped off before using it) and then as long as you keep applying solder from time to time, the surface will remain tinned. You can get in the habit of applying a little solder every time you return the iron to its stand, and wiping with a damp sponge just before each use.

:What model of iron? Probably it was running too hot. I keep mine at 700 degrees F. But it also depends on the tip material: the better irons are iron-plated copper. Iron doesn't tin readily but it can be done with acid flux (wiped off before using it) and then as long as you keep applying solder from time to time, the surface will remain tinned. You can get in the habit of applying a little solder every time you return the iron to its stand, and wiping with a damp sponge just before each use.
:Hello.The iron is just a not too expensive one I got at Radio Shack(The Source) a few years ago.I will try the flux.Thanks for the info!

File the tip while it is completely cold, otherwise copper will oxidize immediately. If you don't have any paste flux to apply first. Be ready to apply the solder to the tip as soon as the iron heats up before it has a chance to oxidize. Richard

:Hello everyone. I had the most unpleasant soldering and desoldering experience last night.I have done very little soldering and only 1 or 2 wires in the past.But last night I was desoldering some wires in a very tight space and trying to resolder some components.Usually I would clean the tip with emory paper till shiny before plugging the iron in and tin the iron and then solder without any problems but this time I had many wires(components) to solder and desolder so the iron was kept on for a long time .The iron would keep oxidizing constantly and I would try to clean it while hot with emory paper or a knife but impossible!!!!! The iron would not clean and I could not tin it and get much work done plus burning myself along the way. What am I doing wrong, and how can you clean it.Do you have to unplug it constantly or use a big file to really scrape it or some abrasive grind stone ????
:

Yes, too much heat is the biggest concern; it will oxidize the iron very quickly. I use a line matching transformer that will drop the voltage down to about 110; this small amount makes a big difference. Some people use variacs or even light dimmers.
Johnnysan-

I use a light dimmer when doing desoldering jobs like cleaning out salvaged tube sockets and parts. I frequntly wipe off the tip with a wet paper towel, and re-tin the tip with some fresh rosin core solder. Always file off all the crud before firing the iron up. The 99 cent store versions are fine for this purpose.

::Hello everyone. I had the most unpleasant soldering and desoldering experience last night.I have done very little soldering and only 1 or 2 wires in the past.But last night I was desoldering some wires in a very tight space and trying to resolder some components.Usually I would clean the tip with emory paper till shiny before plugging the iron in and tin the iron and then solder without any problems but this time I had many wires(components) to solder and desolder so the iron was kept on for a long time .The iron would keep oxidizing constantly and I would try to clean it while hot with emory paper or a knife but impossible!!!!! The iron would not clean and I could not tin it and get much work done plus burning myself along the way. What am I doing wrong, and how can you clean it.Do you have to unplug it constantly or use a big file to really scrape it or some abrasive grind stone ????
::
:
:
:
:Yes, too much heat is the biggest concern; it will oxidize the iron very quickly. I use a line matching transformer that will drop the voltage down to about 110; this small amount makes a big difference. Some people use variacs or even light dimmers.
:Johnnysan-
:
:
:
:
:

:Hello everyone. I had the most unpleasant soldering and desoldering experience last night.I have done very little soldering and only 1 or 2 wires in the past.But last night I was desoldering some wires in a very tight space and trying to resolder some components.Usually I would clean the tip with emory paper till shiny before plugging the iron in and tin the iron and then solder without any problems but this time I had many wires(components) to solder and desolder so the iron was kept on for a long time .The iron would keep oxidizing constantly and I would try to clean it while hot with emory paper or a knife but impossible!!!!! The iron would not clean and I could not tin it and get much work done plus burning myself along the way. What am I doing wrong, and how can you clean it.Do you have to unplug it constantly or use a big file to really scrape it or some abrasive grind stone ????
:
I always have a damp sponge in the damp sponge well in my soldering station. I wipe the tip and stick it in a container of flux then apply a little solder to the tip. It always works for me. And, yeah, I set the tip temperature according to the job.
I don't know if I would have anything acid around my bench, even flux. Acid is just going to eat away the tip, and possibly leave some acid on the connection. I also don't keep filing the tip with a file or emery paper. You're just making the tip smaller. When I'm finished I turn off the station and wipe the tip with a dry cloth and add a touch of solder before the tip cools down.
I once wired every terminal in a recording studio. Before I started the owner sent me to a soldering seminar. That's how they taught us.
Terry

Those unregulated solder irons are really meant to do a single quick job, then unplug it. Continues use it runs away and overheats, then you do have problems. If your going to continue repairing radios, it might be best to invest in a soldering station. A quick wipe on the damp sponge and your ready to go.