Soldering Iron Bit Problem

Mmm never thought that solder has a shelf life too. Mine are definitely not fresh as the ROHS started in 2006 and it took a few years to phase out and dump existing stock to environmental fanatics like me. No issues but I’ll test a few unused spools to be sure.

Not fresh also means no recycled material. Bonus.
 
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For SMD work, I like Kester 245 0.015" Never used lead-free solder, so I don't have a preference.

Note - you may know this, but a little liquid flux is your friend. It's not necessary in all cases, but for low % rosin solders in a fine diameter, most of the flux/rosin in the core can burn off even with the first wetting of the pad in my experience. So, a tiny dab of liquid flux really helps it to reflow if needed. I use Kester 1544 or 186.
 
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Okay, if you've got a problem with that, then you should

  • use a different solder (probably with lead)
  • use a different temperature
  • practise (no, I don't think you can't solder, you are just not used to that combination)
  • get a different soldering iron/station
  • try different temperatures
  • clean the contact patches (and parts!) beforehand, either chemically and/or mechanically
  • 'wetting' the spot before
  • using flux (and removing it after soldering)
I am aware multiples of the points have already been mentioned but it seems to me, a summary might get the point through.
 
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I use Multi core 60/40 for at least 50 years (partly professional), luckily have a few left. The one pictured is some 40 yo and nothing wrong with it. Together with a chisel like tip in an unregulated soldering iron 30 Watt and plenty additional flux I can solder SMT IC's with it. The flux is important!
 

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I don't doubt any of your experience and I second the use of Pb soldering wire. Aside from a so much better handling and ease of usage, it also makes it so much easier to detect (visually) a cold solder spot or solder SHF transistors without overheating them.

Why I have an issue with the 'new' soldering filler material is, it's a much more delicate process to separate the now-required filler material. Yes, it's less toxic. But the lead was quite easily recyleable, even in 3rd world countries, which the solder filler material nowadays is not. Yes, it reduces the impact on the workers and their exposure to heavy metals but at the same time it shifts the exposure to 3rd world countries - where the worker protection practically does not exist.

Oh, and for repair jobs, prototypes, personal use etc, Pb is still legal to use in the EU.

And while we're at it, don't ever solder piezo tweeters or their contact connectors.

Wait till you learn about flux capacitors.
Nah, that's a thing of the past. Or future.
 
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Try wiping tip on a wet sponge, I've found that works rather well. Noting that I mostly solder at 700°F/371°C with leaded solder, and rather rarely with unleaded solder. Tips generally last 3 - 4 years and I do a reasonable amount of soldering. ( Maybe 10 - 20 hours a month?)
 
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Try wiping tip on a wet sponge, I've found that works rather well. Noting that I mostly solder at 700°F/371°C with leaded solder, and rather rarely with unleaded solder. Tips generally last 3 - 4 years and I do a reasonable amount of soldering. ( Maybe 10 - 20 hours a month?)
I tend to clean the tip after every joint or 2 on a folded up wet paper towel. I use that so I can just toss it after a solder session. I use strictly leaded solder.
 
Yes, wet sponge is best.
Make sure it's a cellulose sponge. Not a regular plastic cleaning sponge.

I find that a brass wool tip cleaner works better than the wet sponge.

I asked my assembly house why they use SAC305 and not SN100C. It's mainly due to the higher peak temperature needed for SN100C. 227 ºC vs 217 ºC make a difference apparently.
I've tried SAC305 in my toaster oven. It doesn't flow well. 60/40 or 63/37 works much better for DIY reflow.

Tom
 
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This is what I use,

Lead-Free solder can have long-term issues with fibers growing etc.

Kester.jpg


Note: I've been soldering for over 50 years and have no issues with Lead
Like anything else just be aware of it and wash your hands after using it.
 
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Empirical observation of people dying around me for the past years, indicates that walking as tourist in Amsterdam* is way more dangerous then soldering with lead. *If not drowning in a channel they get run over by a city train, get murdered or die on an overdose. Put a ban on visiting Amsterdam?
When your single empirical observation becomes science after being proven through the scientific method we'll talk about it again, okay?
And I'm not kidding at all. 🙂

Sorry, but in my opinion your statement is pointless.
Just to be clear, I'm not a health nut.
And I'm for freedom of thought.
But please note that here you are not only thinking, you are also writing.

And from what you write, then an inexperienced young DIYer (or anyone else) might mistakenly believe that lead and its hot fumes are not toxic and are not harmful to human health.
Which is blatantly false.

So, in my humble opinion, if you want to do what you want with your health, go ahead, but please don't publicly write things that aren't true since they could be harmful to someone's health.

The following vintage advertisement I believe is self-explanatory of what of bad one can do when one ignores (or want to ignore) a knowledge. 😉


sshot.png
 
Decades ago everyone smoked. My previous doctor always offered me a fag when I was there. We smoked together in the nice garden behind the practice. One time he told me to quit smoking while inhaling smoke. He then said he had cancer and worried about what was going to happen. This moment is still in my mind. That same doctor also later misdiagnosed me big time and registered me as a hypochondriac. When it turned out that I had a real serious disease he apologized, shook hands and said to clear the dossier from that comment. Polite and understanding doctor. Glad that I quit. Late but I quit.
 
For the first time this is seccond day without cigarete, hmm a bit nervous but I feel something, better taste of food? It seems that all my senses have sharpened? The feeling is strange, I hope that if I push through today I will get rid of them after 30 years of consumming.

Edit: Stannol HF32 with T245, temperature 270
 
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Let’s get back to soldering. Otherwise the mods will be visiting 😳.

I’ve been soldering for 50 yrs (I’m quite old). The recent bit thing is new to me so I’m going to assume that for lead free solder the temp is critical and I’ve just had it wrong. I have one of those brass wire bit cleaners (see post #1 photo) and use the sponge after every one or two joints (solder that is. I stopped smoking the other kind about 50 yrs ago and for the record I did inhale).

Currently the iron is doing ok joints at 320 C with lead free stuff so I definitely had the temp too high at 365-400 C but the solder does not flow as well as I would expect. I’ve been using needle point bits for a long time for SMD, but it does seem the lead free is heavy on the tip.

I will try to get some leaded solder in a few weeks when back from my travels. I never had issues before, so hopefully this will fix my problem. In the meantime if there are more ideas on optimising tip temp with lead free that would be appreciated.

Does Mouser have bit cleaner?
 
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