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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE! |
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18th Feb 2018, 8:32 pm | #1 |
Hexode
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Magor, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK.
Posts: 436
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Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
For those of us who prefer our jeans to the sponge in the stand, made out of a piece of discarded jeans, works well without wetting, yes I know there is no bit in the iron at the mo!
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18th Feb 2018, 8:42 pm | #2 |
Octode
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,770
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
As long as they are "old style" 100% cotton.
Cotton and elastane (polyurethane) mix might make a bit of a mess of your tip
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Chris |
18th Feb 2018, 9:51 pm | #3 |
Hexode
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Buderim, Queensland, Australia.
Posts: 428
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
I discarded wet sponges years ago.
I now use a 50mm dia kitchen type stainless steel scrubber tied down with thin steel wire. The cheaper ones dont have added soap, and work well. My Weller tips now last much much longer, and no more water and rusting tray. It takes just a few minutes to get used to wiping the tip in the scrubber, and not hearing the traditional sizzle! I copied the idea from our Hakkos at work. |
18th Feb 2018, 10:00 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
Interesting solution. I bought a whole bag of Weller sponges recently. Cost me just short of £15 for 5!
I just gave up on the brass wool stuff as it keeps splashing hot solder on me. |
18th Feb 2018, 10:16 pm | #5 |
Heptode
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK.
Posts: 705
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
Primark sell round cosmetic cellulose makeup cleansing sponges in yellow, pack of 2 for £1. They look, feel and act practically the same as the rather expensive official Metcal ones....!
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18th Feb 2018, 10:19 pm | #6 |
Heptode
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Southend, Essex, UK.
Posts: 803
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
I understand that plunging the hot tip into a cold wet sponge can shorten the life of the iron plating and for that reason I have always used a piece of cloth.
Alan |
18th Feb 2018, 10:21 pm | #7 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2,181
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
Soldering iron sponges are readily available on the net. I did try to use an old kitchen scrubbing pad, but it melted when it wasn't wet enough. I've never tried it on a soldering iron tip, but when I couldn't get my hands on a bit of "moleskin" for a lead wipe, I found the rear of emery cloth an effective substitute.
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18th Feb 2018, 10:40 pm | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,687
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
Having used the same tip on a Weller TCP iron for the best part of 15 years, I'm not sure that is the case. It certainly is on the cheapy irons and the Antexes with copper cores but the Weller ones seem to be made of something completely different.
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18th Feb 2018, 11:54 pm | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Surrey, UK.
Posts: 4,398
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
I take on board the points about stainless steel scrubbers being a better option for plated tips, but the same Continental discount stores that do these also do real (non-melting!) spongey sponge scrubbing pads bonded to dark green fibre scourer for not a lot- the scourer layer peels away easily and the sponge can be razored to size.
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25th Feb 2018, 4:51 pm | #10 |
Octode
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cullompton, Devon, UK.
Posts: 1,435
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
Made up this over a year ago still going strong and no wear on the bit.https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=130230
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25th Feb 2018, 5:25 pm | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK.
Posts: 7,667
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
I've gone through two TCP tips in about 3 month's. The plating cracked on the first, the tip fell off the second. This isn't through using said tips as crowbars.
I used a green scourer and water for a while, which was great when new, but fell to bits after a while. i have got one of those metal scourer things, but it's not as good as a quick swipe on the old jeans. One thing while were on the subject, I've seen a video that recommends wetting your iron tip before putting it back in the holder as well as when first heating it up, to apply solder as it heats up. Any tips are welcome to prolong the life of my tips, it's a dear do. 15 years! I wish. Will give the bit of denim a try, I've only two pairs of jeans to my name, can't afford to go through strides as fast as I go through tips. Andy.
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25th Feb 2018, 5:52 pm | #12 |
Octode
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Newbury, Berkshire, UK.
Posts: 1,770
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
According to the Metcal rep, that's the case for Metcal stuff tips He recommend the sponge be no more than slightly damp.
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Chris |
25th Feb 2018, 10:51 pm | #13 | |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Evesham, Worcestershire, UK.
Posts: 1,423
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
Quote:
greg.
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26th Feb 2018, 9:01 pm | #14 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cheshire, UK.
Posts: 1,738
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Re: Weller TCP stand sponge replacement
As we have so many different brands of soldering irons at work, we found it cheaper & easier to buy these larger sponges;
http://cpc.farnell.com/antex/y023150...antex%20sponge We cut them to size & cut the hole in the middle same as the originals, you can make a couple of sponges from each. CPC seem to be little cheaper than RS (used at work). David |