Thanks to all who responded. I will keep my tip tinned
and clean !  I will also invest in a heat conntrolled
iron eventually.


> kben@DCA.NET wrote:
> > I am using
> > a 30 W iron from Radio Shack, and rosin core solder.
The
> > problem is the tip gets a build up on it after a few
uses
> > and no longer conducts heat. How do I prevent this ?
>
> The problem is that the thin coat of solder on the tip
is oxidizing.
> Unfortunately the oxide doesn't conduct heat as well
as the metal, there is
> no wetting action, and fresh solder won't stick to
it.  In your case the
> problem is made worse because the iron receives 30W of
heat whether it needs
> it or not.  That makes the tip much hotter than it
should be most of the
> time, which speeds up the oxidation process.
>
> I definitely recommend a temperature controlled iron
kept at around 600degF
> for normal operation.  However, this alone only
reduces the problem, not fix
> it.  Eventually the solder on the tip will oxidize no
matter what you do.
> If you don't let it build up too much, it can be wiped
off with a damp cloth
> or sponge right before use.  I automatically swipe my
iron over the sponge
> every time I pick it up.
>
> You will also need to periodically "tin" the tip.
This means giving it a
> fresh coat of clean solder.  First wipe the tip to get
rid of as much oxide
> as possible, then put some new solder directly on the
tip.  The flux in the
> solder will help clean it.  Apply enough new solder so
that every part of
> the tip looks nice and shiny.  Most of the fresh
solder will actually drip
> off.  This is normal.  Gently wipe after done.  Repeat
when needed.

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