I have just sat down to get started on yet another Fuzzdog Kit (I am completely addicted).
Sadly my Antex 25w soldering iron isn't behaving. It gets hot no problem, but something wierd's going on with the tip.
It appears dull blue grey, and won't shine up with a wipe on the damp sponge. Also, solder won't cling, it just beads and rolls off.
It's happened all of a sudden - fine last week, knackered now.
Is there a trick for sorting it? The tip looks separate, but I can't seem to remove it.
New iron time?
Any recommendations - sub£50?
Comments
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/48w-lcd-display-solder-station-b96ng
Had one for 4 years now no problems. I was a dyed in the wool Weller Magnastat man and yes, they are better but bloody expensive for the hobbyist.
You can buy a tip cleaner, a pot of aggressive ***t that usually works but Antex irons are outdated crap now IMHO!
Dave.
Ooh, that looks sexy, but I could get a Harley Benton Telecaster for that kind of cash!
You don't need a new iron, just a get a new bit:
http://www.antex.co.uk/soldering/replacement-bits/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-3mm-replacement-tip-for-Antex-XS25-soldering-iron-50-bit-B005060-/321634678742?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item4ae2ebb7d6
You can change the tip on an Antex iron, http://www.antex.co.uk/technical/faqs/#13 though a good soldering station makes things much more fun. Sanding or grinding it is a bad idea as it removes the plating, but cleaner as mentioned might work.
No-one ever told me this, you want to keep the tip tinned to prevent oxidisation http://www.digikey.com/Web Export/Supplier Content/Cooper_72/PDF/Cooper_TipCareAndUse.pdf?redirected=1 I've always fastidiously cleaned the thing.
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If that doesn't work, I'll go for a new tip. There may yet be another year or 2 in the old iron.