by Ty_Bower » Tue Feb 19, 2008 7:24 pm
I've got a couple of 25 watt Radio Shack $4.99 specials. They're too hot for soldering most light duty electronics and circuit boards, but I use them anyway. They'll definitely lift the traces on the lesser quality boards.
When the tips get too beat up, I'll grind a new end using a flat file. I grind two flats on opposite sides to make a chisel point. I basically try to get something that looks like this: V
After grinding it with the flat file, the Radio Shack tips will be copper colored. Plug it in and heat it up, and immediately apply some solder as soon as it is hot enough to melt. Then I usually wipe the tip on a wet piece of folded up paper towel before I make each solder joint. I don't think you can wipe it too much. You're basically just taking of the slag that forms on the tip. I can't imagine it would be possible to wipe of the layer of solder that's stuck to the copper tip.
Wipe it off when you are done, before you unplug the iron. I find that if I don't keep the tip clean, then small black spots will form. If I let it go on too long, the spots get bigger. Then it is time to grind it down again. Of course, you can only grind the end so many times before there's nothing left. Then you need another $4.99 special at the 'Shack.