Posted by Ernie on January 27, 2003 at 09:50:22:
In Reply to: Re: cleaning tip posted by Gary Dodge on January 23, 2003 at 02:26:56:
While I agree with you about Glastar's flux, I noticed the same problem, I don't agree with dipping to clean an iron.
I also use Soldermate II, A Hakko 456 running flat out at 100 percent, I too do this for a living & my irons are on every day & my Hakko tip lasted me 7 years. It wasn't the plating that went on it. It split towards the back end where it slips over the heating element & this was my fault since I forgot to turn it off for the weekend.
: Angel,
: I use Canfield Soldermate 11, (the second best flux I've ever worked with.) It runs a smoother shinier bead than Glastar without any residue and doesn't dry out on the work as fast, so I can flux an entire large panel before I start to solder.
: As for the other stuff, If I'm running a bead on anything but a suncatcher I'll have my Hakko 456 running flat out at 100%. (I'd really rather be using a big 200 watt iron with a huge heat sink, but don't really want to hold one up anymore, I wind up with a stiff neck!) As for any damage the sal-ammoniac might do, an iron tip will typically last me about a year. I have no idea if anyone else gets one to last longer (I do a lot of work, not occasional hobby stuff.)
: If wiping on towels would get me two years out of the same tip, who cares? I'd spend more time wiping than the cost of the tip. (and maybe that much again in paper towels;-)
: GaryD