Useby date for solder?

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Bruce Varley - 19 Jul 2008 16:22 GMT

Hi, I've been using the same soldering iron for many years, make/model no
marking long ago worn off, with a supply of tips that until recently I
thought would serve for the term of my natural life. However, over the last
few months I've found that tips stop working well a lot more rapidly, they
look nice and shiny but have weak heat transfer and won't tin. The most
recent instance came up with problems after less than a weeks service, in
time gone by a tip would last for a year or more.

I wondered whether my resin cored solder might be the cause of the problem,
the roll I have is also years old.Can't see anything else that would cause a
problem. Any thoughts?

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Michael A. Terrell - 19 Jul 2008 19:01 GMT

> Hi, I've been using the same soldering iron for many years, make/model no
> marking long ago worn off, with a supply of tips that until recently I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> the roll I have is also years old.Can't see anything else that would cause a
> problem. Any thoughts?

I have solder that is 30 years old. Other than a thin layer of lead
oxide, it still works fine. The rosin still cleans the joint properly,
but it was the best solder on the US market at the time. Find some
liquid RMA rosin flux to help clean the joint. I used to use a lot of it
to repair cold or pocket joints.

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Phil Allison - 20 Jul 2008 04:19 GMT

"Bruce Varley"

> Hi, I've been using the same soldering iron for many years, make/model no
> marking long ago worn off, with a supply of tips that until recently I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> problem, the roll I have is also years old.Can't see anything else that
> would cause a problem. Any thoughts?

** Errr - maybe try some fresh solder ??

Best avoid the " low flux residue " and lead free kinds.

..... Phil

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Bodgey - 20 Jul 2008 07:48 GMT

I had a Weller soldering iron where I once worked, the thermostat/switch
inside the barrel got stuck on causing it to get way too hot, not realising
this soon after the tip was stuffed, the solder would not run onto it
anymore. As I hadn't realised it was too hot ( I was only an apprentice at
the time) I changed the tip, it worked fine for a couple days and then the
same thing happened, after a couple of stuffed tips we realised what the
problem was and changed the thermostat. Maybe your iron is getting too hot
as well?

> "Bruce Varley"
> >
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> ..... Phil

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Davo - 20 Jul 2008 11:03 GMT

> I had a Weller soldering iron where I once worked, the thermostat/switch
> inside the barrel got stuck on causing it to get way too hot, not realising
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> problem was and changed the thermostat. Maybe your iron is getting too hot
> as well?

I think Wellers have different temperature tips. They have a number on
them that tells you the temperature they operate at. The tips are
magnetic but lose the magnetism when hot and regain it when cooler,
which operates a magnetic switch in the barrel of the iron. (I think).I
haven't used one of their irons for a while.

Old solder sometimes gets a bit of an oxide layer on it that can cause
"muck" to build up on the tip. Cleanliness is important for soldering.

>> "Bruce Varley"
>>> Hi, I've been using the same soldering iron for many years, make/model
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>>
>> ..... Phil

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Phil Allison - 20 Jul 2008 11:41 GMT

"Davo"

>> I had a Weller soldering iron where I once worked, the thermostat/switch
>> inside the barrel got stuck on causing it to get way too hot, not
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> I think Wellers have different temperature tips. They have a number on
> them that tells you the temperature they operate at.

** Yep:

6 = 600 F
7 = 700 F
8 = 800 F

> The tips are magnetic...

** The tips are solid copper, plated with steel - in fact.

BUT - hanging off the back are small lumps of iron with various " Curie
points ".

First discovered by Pierre Curie, who was reasonably clever - for a frog.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Curie

> but lose the magnetism when hot and regain it when cooler, which operates
> a magnetic switch in the barrel of the iron. (I think).

** Spot on.

> haven't used one of their irons for a while.

** Nor have I and very glad to be able to say that.

> Old solder sometimes gets a bit of an oxide layer on it that can cause
> "muck" to build up on the tip. Cleanliness is important for soldering.

** Abso-blooming-lootely .....

...... Phil

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-=Spudley=- - 20 Jul 2008 12:15 GMT

This particular thread should have a set useby date. :)

>> I had a Weller soldering iron where I once worked, the thermostat/switch
>> inside the barrel got stuck on causing it to get way too hot, not
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
>>>
>>> ..... Phil

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Den - 20 Jul 2008 12:19 GMT

> This particular thread should have a set useby date. :)

I think that it depends on your isp / newsfeed provider. Some keep the posts
longer than others.

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-=Spudley=- - 20 Jul 2008 12:24 GMT

>> This particular thread should have a set useby date. :)
>
> I think that it depends on your isp / newsfeed provider. Some keep the
> posts longer than others.

lol.
Thanks.

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Electronics Forum / Electronics / July 2008

Useby date for solder?