I recently got a new solder station because my inherited Weller (>30 years old) finally gave up the ghost. The new station is one of those fancy 720W Hakko compatible, digital controlled ones but the tip seems to take just as long as the Ol' Weller to heat up? I got curious and when I went to change the tip to another genuine Hakko one, I noted that there is a little play (ie: air space) between the transfer ceramic and the tip. Is this by design to allow the ceramic to expand or is there a sleeve part missing? Every tip I've ever seen before this one fit snugly so I'm hoping some of you can tell me what fit clearance is proper.
At the point where the screw seems to touch the tip, just turn it another half-turn and stop.
And do that only when the element is cold.
In time a bit of oxidation and burned soldering paste will build up and fill the gap.
And do that only when the element is cold.
In time a bit of oxidation and burned soldering paste will build up and fill the gap.
Thanks for the reply but there is no screw on this tip, the tip slides over a cylindrical ceramic element and the air space described above is between the outside of this ceramic element and the inside of the tip. I suspect there should be some kind of compressible conductive sleeve material to mate these two surfaces better but it could very well be that the space is there to allow the tip metal to expand. I was hoping someone that has changed a tip on these units could tell me first hand what should be.
I know with the Hakko units that's one of the ways to tell a copy from a real one, in the copies the tip is a loose fit, in the genuine its very tight and takes some effort to slide the tip on.
The manufacturer doesn't spec the bit hole or the circumference/diameter of the ceramic heater element the bit sits on. Getting real world experiences from members was a way to assess the normal space tolerance and gauge quality control at the same time.
My Ersa tips also tend to be a bit loose and are held in place by a spring retainer. As long as the retainer holds the tip snugged to the bottom, then everything should be fine.
Apparently, the air space is designed to allow the bit metal to expand without crushing/breaking the ceramic element it sits on. That's my interpretation but I'm willing to hear others.
Email response below:
Thank you customer for inquiry. Tip metal expanding when heating need making comfortable.
S.A.E. measures: bit hole 5/32", ceramic element diameter 9/64"
Email response below:
Thank you customer for inquiry. Tip metal expanding when heating need making comfortable.
S.A.E. measures: bit hole 5/32", ceramic element diameter 9/64"
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