Hi Isaac, I do that and also use it as a general anti-seize on the tip and threads. To James: I use the cheap white heat sink grease. Friendly regards, Bob ________________________________________ From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu on behalf of Isaac = M. Bavaresco Sent: Friday, February 24, 2017 4:37 PM To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Subject: [EE] Cheap soldering stations Perhaps what I discovered today is of widespread knowledge but I did not know, and it may be useful to others. My two cheap Chinese soldering stations (model 936, available from several vendors with slight differences) were out of service with their heating elements damaged for several months. I ordered cheap replacements (model A1322, by the way, five for US$5.02) and when I was replacing them I had the idea of filling the hole in the tip (where the ceramic heating element is inserted) with thermal grease. To my surprise they are now professional grade! Previously I had to wait for several minutes until the tip was at a good temperature, and it had to be adjusted at least at 225 deg. C for it to barely melt the solder. Now it reaches working temperature in 30 s, starting from room temperature, and even at minimum temperature setting (200 deg. C) it melts the solder easily. Cheers, Isaac View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com/techref/piclist PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .