pic microcontroller discussion list <> wrote:
> I just picked up a second hand Weller WTCPT station off e-bay, and I'm
> having some issues with the tip (PTA8). I can't get the very
> end of it to
> tin (the iron plating may be damaged), and it seems to run a
> lot hotter
> than the other irons I've used.

PTA8 sounds like an 800 degrees F tip- if you remove it is there an '8'
stamped on the top end of the tip?  We use those for high temperature
solder, you probably want a '7'- 700 deg F.

If you want to persist with the 8, we use tip cleaner (small pot with flux
and solder) to recover the tip, then keep it solder-wetted all the time to
stop it oxidising (ie don't wipe the solder off when you are finished, put
a little bit more on instead).  If you do that, when you come to use it
next you can wipe the solder 'slag' off easily to leave a shiny tip.

The downside is that the tip seems to corrode through sooner (presumably
due to the flux), but it still lasts a long time.  I understand it is a bad
idea to abrade the tips to clean them as they are coated with something,
but that may not be true...

Unless you need a high temperature tip, it's probably best to replace it
with a '7'- they're not very expensive

Nigel
--
Nigel Orr, Design Engineer                 nigel@axoninstruments.co.uk
Axon Instruments Ltd., Wardes Road,Inverurie,Aberdeenshire,UK,AB51 3TT
               Tel:+44 1467 622332 Fax:+44 1467 625235
                   http://www.axoninstruments.co.uk

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