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I've always wondered if people replace the tips on their soldering irons because they're oxidized or if the actual metal doesn't transfer heat properly, at some point?

I've always sanded the tips on my 40W soldering iron, just to get rid of oxidation, but still, it seems that sometimes the tip doesn't get quite as hot as it did when new. Is there a need to buy a new tip when this happens?
Is sanding it down to shiny metal adequate?

Also, how many times can a blob of solder be reheated before it becomes stubborn and unmeltable? Sometimes, I hold the tip against a blob of well used solder, usually on a pot, and it just won't melt!

Tips definitely do wear out, although I'm not sure I can explain the science or physics behind it. Some tips are copper covered iron. When the copper wears through, they're shot. (I think its copper.)

One thing thats interesting that we learned in solder class, you should store your tips with a big glob of solder on them. Let the solder corrode - not the tip.

I'll ask my instructor about this on Monday.

Mine does for sure. I need to buy another one actually, I should probably do that today.


Originally Posted by ArtieTooOne thing thats interesting that we learned in solder class, you should store your tips with a big glob of solder on them. Let the solder corrode - not the tip.

Not only does it save them, it's easier to tell when the iron is heated up; Solder starts dripping off the tip.

My sister worked for a PC Board company for a summer, strange learning soldering tips from her.