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Old 12th Nov 2019, 10:50 pm   #65
MotorBikeLes
Nonode
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man
Posts: 2,346
Default Re: Soldering Iron For PCB's

Like many, I started with a Solon, a 25W bought in Stafford, probably 1953. I now have Solons in all sizes up to 240W (and many others as well).
However, my point to make was that mentioned a few times here. Leakage current. I started to see little sparks quite often, and realised that was not good. Shortly after, I bought a load of broken Weller junk and a few new bits. I think I got three workers eventually, with oddments left over.
Back in my TV days, working on thyristor line Grundigs, a blanket resolder using the big Weller gun on the line stage was my key to successful reliable sets. Many bits consumed, even more solder consumed, but very few bouncers.
I far prefer a copper bit to a tinned one, so when I have a faulty tip (damaged plating), I grind off ALL the plating, and save it for a job where copper will work, but plated not.
Les.
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