EP52 Tip Check | Good & Bad Soldering Tip Habits | Why don't my soldering tips last long? 

That's exactly what most tutorials are missing. I had to find it out by myself over dozens of years. Thank you for providing an alternative to that!

I’m a beginner in soldering and I feel much more confident when I prepare myself for projects :)

bro either you should speak louder, or turn down the volume of your intro. I turned up the volume to hear you, and than frightened as shit on the intro.. :D

You should lower your new intro volume a bit. It's quite loud compared to your voice before and after the intro. Great tip about the tips ofc ;-)

Start of each soldering action for me begins with a brass jabbing, then ends with a brass jab and a dab of clean solder on tip. Seems very effective at keeping tips in excellent shape.

Maybe its just your personality and your multi view camera work, but that's how its done!! Great job man and thank you.

No need to blast the intro music... great video otherwise.

Thank you for the lesson. Brilliant. And you're right, it's no big deal. Clean the tip and keep it tinned. Much appreciated.!

8:40 dude after watching many videos and still wondering, you just explained perfectly. kudos

What a masterpiece!! So simple. NO BIG DEAL.

The chisel tip on my old 936 must be a freak of nature in regards to it's ability to maintain a clean oxidation free surface with nothing other than frequent use of a wet sponge. I wipe it off almost constantly while using it and it still looks like wet solder after around 10 years. No tinning before shutting down, and no tinning before it hits the sponge for the first time in the morning, and it always looks like fresh wet solder right after it comes off of the sponge. Must be lucky or something. I love my old Hakko!

You just changed my life thank you brother! God bless your heart.

Very nice, will start doing that.

Finally someone who explains in an intelligent, proper way. Ty, now I understand. 😊

Advice for the beginner in soldering. It is much appreciated. Excellent and direct review. Thanks ...

I just found this video yesterday and got the brass sponge and tip tinner today. I tried this method and it works great. It's my new process. Thanks for the video.

First, love the new intro man. I agree with a comment below maybe a bit too loud but it fits well! Also keeping the vids to about 10 minutes in my opinion is perfect! You're doing things correctly.

Thanks for the video 👌

awesome! thank you!!

Thanks for the video. I'm starting soldering. This tip you give, to start soldering with cleaning/ tinning, sounds absolutely like the best time to do it--- right as you begin to solder. That makes a lot of sense. I value this suggestion. (I must add, it's a bit funny, as a person who has not yet begun soldering... equipment is in the mail... to hear all the different pro's contradicting each other. One jabs the soldering iron into the brass. The other says you must insert it gently and just twist... although it IS softer than the tips/ that is why it is used. One says use tip tinner as last resort... or like here- use it every time you begin to solder, rather than applying flux core solder... which another pro says is enough. Yes, this video says you can do whatever you want. Just an observation, that I've watched a bunch of pro's & seen major contradictions. But they all agree on regular cleaning & keeping the tip clean & tinned). Peace. Blessings. Love wins.

FIVE STARS,,, ,,, i appreciate the simple, easy to understand teaching... :)

Excellent advice. I do the same thing, just using a water sponge and tinning with my regular 60/40 solder at startup and on occasion while working. Keep the tips clean and tinned, they work like magic and last a long time. Let them get crusty, forget it. I worked at an amusement game manufacturer in Buffalo for one day and quit at the end of the day when they didn't want to give me a $3.00 new tip for the Weller soldering station that I was using, the supervisor saying it was "fine" when it wouldn't tin at all. They didn't even know what I was talking about in regards to a tinned tip- that brown, rusty, nasty tip was "fine." The deal is the same with vacuum desoldering stations. Let them get nasty, and they don't work and do nothing but aggravate you.

The best tip cleaning video! Subscribed

I didn't realize tip tinner was supposed to be used this way. I thought it was only to rejuvinate dead tips. Thank you so much!

Hey justin glad your back hope your staying cool with the new AC

I have one soldering iron tip thats about 20 years old and still good. One thing I would recomend is last thing when finished soldering is clean and tin before switching off I always start with a clean tip every day.

Thanks Justin for another great technical video. Keep up the great work!!!

Loved this serie.

I have done it for yrs it looked like crap, might hold might not my old gun blew up I got another one one off eBay waiting on it in mail, I hope your advice works for me.Thanks great video 👍

I have been using the same set of tips for almost three years. Daily soldering on the large chisel and medium bent. I literally just put some solder on the tip when I'm done. And no tip tinner, that stuff is like crack to soldering tips, you need more and more as time goes by.

Cool, thanks

wow! a little bit of knowledge go a long ways! thank you so much man for sharing that!.

Great Video Thank you for Sharing 👍🏻

Thanks for this great tips ! Like it ;-)

Thanks

Very useful thank you 🙏🏼

This made perfect sense why when I'm trying it goes okey when I start but the longer I work and leave it on. The harder it gets. I don't have a sleep function on mine aither. I will most definitely buy a bras spunge and retinner now and start working on those soldering habbits. Thanks.

A clean, tinned tip is the first step in good soldering iron technique. Replaced my Weller station after 30 years hard use with an Edsyn 951x, and do find the "Pod" (the shroud the pencil lives in at rest) to slow oxidation. Also picked up a Hakko brass wool R2D2 like you have, which is not yet ready for refilling. However, research has brought up the benefits of loading kitchen scrubbers (washed and dried) with Kester 951 No Clean liquid flux. I had already been using the Kester product, which is 2% rosin in a water based carrier, and sells for around $50.00 a gallon. You can buy 2 oz quantities on the bay for $5.00 or so, which might be good for some as it has a shelf life of about 2 years iirc.

Great video. I am new to soldering. Thanks

Thanks man, this is great for a novice like myself

That's great to know. I was only doing it at the beginning.

Thank you so much! This video really helped me. I just started soldering as a part time job and I found I have problems with breathing in the smoke and stuff... Any recommendations on how to vent properly?

Do you have a procedure for when you’re done for the day?

Awesome 👏

Awesome video thanks man

What's going to be the standard size/shape tip for general use? The FX951 on Amazon that comes with one tip uses a D16, but the bundle that comes with 5 tips comes with D08, D12, D24, D32 and D52. I believe I read that the FX888D uses a D16 by default. I think my old workplace used a D24 for soldering 22AWG stranded wire together but I can't really remember if it was that big, or if it just looked that big while tinned. Or would you even recommend going up to a D32? Which two or three chisel tips would you recommend? I was thinking the D12, D16, and D24. I'll probably only play around with computer keyboard PCBs, RC cars, and electric guitar wiring. Do you think a D08 is too small? Thanks!

Hey, what is thickness of solder that you use for iPhone motherboard repairs?

I’m trying to set myself up on a low budget starter kit for repair. Can you recommend a good hot air soldering rework station? I just bought a Weller WE1010 soldering iron and would like to also have the ability do hot air soldering if necessary.

Do you recommend Masters Soldering Paste used by plumbers and steel wool to tin tips?

Good one, Justin! Nice tips (the soldering, and the ones you give lol)

Just turn your solderstation off when you're not soldering and always keep the tip tinned. My Weller WS81 gets to the temp within a couple seconds.

I use the tip tinner also, my tips also have lasted over 2 +years, and I stab it just exactly like you said. Caustic or not, I will continue to do it like that, because I know it WORKS. Proof like they say, is in the pudding..... Thanks again for a great video.

I use a damp sponge for cleaning and always keep the tip tinned. I solder a ton and my tips last about 2-3 months for the smaller 30 watt weller iron. I still don't understand why the tips get eaten away so quickly on my 150 watt weller though. It's the horseshoe style tip and the end always gets thin and eventually comes apart. Any advice on how to make those tips last longer? Is a damp sponge poissibly causing it?

The best way to keep tips alive is to use a proper station with "standby" or "sleep" mode and temperature control. Use the lowest temperature that works, and keep it hot only when you actually need the heat. Do that and keep the tips tinned and they will last a looong time.

Dont be deterred by the intro volume, this is a great video on iron maintenance.

I was instructed to basically do this before I pack my iron up for storing. Would you recommend I follow these steps both after and before every session of soldering?

Excellent video!!

Thanks. I'll try it. ...this is a nice change from talking to flat earthers. I almost forgot what is was like to leave a genuinely nice comment 😅

question can you use a copper pot scrubber instead of brass? great vid and very informative . thank you.

Great vid. Really needed something like this, I let my first tip go to shit since I had no idea what I was doing. If I don't have any of the tip tinner, am I good to just tin it with the solder wire itself?

After blasting my ear drums in The introduction, this became the best instructional tinning video out there....btw macro camera game is on point sir.

like the video i tin then clean then add some solder then start soldering every few solder joints i repeat the process and it allways looks nice and shiny

I use a piece of copper wire for my tips, you don't need to but tips. It works perfectly

I have a brand new tip, but cannot get it to tin! does that sponge have to be brass? I have one that is silver toned. I don't know why I can't tin it...I am really getting pissed! I guess that tinning paste is a must.

Oh I thought I had done it wrong all along, but this is exactly how I do it. I thought you should only really use the tip-tinner as a last resort. My last tip got worse and worse until I had to use the tip-tinner after almost every solder joint, and then it kinda didn't work even tho it was tinned. What do you think I did wrong? Too much oxidation between the actual tip and the tin?

If you always have solder on your tip, you don’t need that acidic stuff. And it’s not recommended to always turn on/off station because the temperature variations will shortened tip lifetime. Just try to have solder always on tip and you will see the difference.

Really good video

Good video, except the intro music volume. Nice touch with the microscope! Do you know I can use Bakers flux and solder as a 3 step process (flux, clean, tin with solder)? Cheers mate.

Thanks for tips

Hey, new sub here, I like your style. You're obviously a smart guy that knows his shit, but you explained everything in a manner that I could understand what you were saying. Nicely done, thank you. Of all the videos I've watched on soldering, this one actually gave me an understanding of what I'm doing. Oh yeah, same as everybody else with the intro, but other than that, great video. Peace

love these vids. best teacher

Should I not use the blue sponge in my soldering station then and only use my tip cleaner?

Hey, Mike here. I want to start learning soldering, which Station do you recommend me? I like Hakko ones... thanks!

I am new to soldering and just purchased a Weller. Their company videos show using the tin block or wire brush to clean the tips and recommend using the tip tinner only once in awhile as they feel it's too acidic and will eat through the tips. Their info had me concerrned I was going to ruin the tips with that kind of tinner. I GUESS YOU SHOWED THEM UP! THANKS!

Very instructive video thank you ! I’ve a FX951 but never use the tinner so no way to solder .... will buy 1kilo ! Question : you never put solder when you put it on the stand ? I mean in sleep mode .

I keep waiting for your videos

I been soldering professionally everyday for a year and a half and both my irons have original tips. I didn't know this was a problem lol

I’ve had the same tip on my Weller WP25 for 6 years.

What about tinning your soldering iron with clean layer of solder before turning it off?

Could you still clean it without the cleaning paste? (Tip tin cleaner)

Good video!. I would like to add that when you are finished soldering, to keep a generous amount of solder on the tip. This blocks oxidation of the tip and is actually strongly mentioned in the Hakko videos on using your soldering iron to greatly prolong the life of your tips.

can these methods work on wood burning tips as well?

Justin 80% i use ultra fine tip abd hand peice, plus micro rweezer, hoof tip uftc my favourite best drag solder tip i used..

Best tips/soldering iron combo for smt work?

Great video, very interesting. I only solder occasionally, is there anything you should do between sessions to protect the tip? Also, is it worth using the tip tinner, just wondering what the advantages are

I have a question. So every single time I put the iron in the holder I have to tin it every single time I pull it out? Like I'm about to do a analog stick in a Xbox one controller. Should only be a great 10 minute job. So I'll do a couple joints take a 1 minute break and put the iron in the holder. So I will need to do it again after only doing 2 or 3 solder joints? Please reply ASAP. I'm doing this Saturday. Rob

Hey Justin, can you give some words about the hot air station you are using compared to Hakko and Weller. I need a new station the Quick 861DE is on my list as well. Thank you!

Bro any tips for a stuck tip? My soldering iron is new and on my third use the tip became unusable, solder doesn't stick on it and the tip is stuck and I can't change it.. and it's not like it kept on for long or something, please help

In the soldering world, there are hobbyist level, general level and precision levels. I deal with the latter on an extreme level compared to the J STD on a level 3 of that standard. This is the highest standard of soldering excellence you can achieve. You are correct about not altering your tip’s original configuration. The tip selection offered for your iron is all you have. This is not an issue on the more expensive stations as the irons have many tip choices and you aren’t as limited in tip selection. Buying off branded tips is usually met with unpleasant consequences like poor plating or tip material compromises. For some, this is not an issue, but in critical circuit ops, this is a no tolerance situation where compromise could mean loss of performance yielding failure leading to loss of life and or capital asset failure and mission failure. This is an extreme grade of work, but the responsibility of the operators is high and so is the reliability of the equipment they work on being critical. Compromise leads to failure and failure is not an option at this level. Procedures are followed and are more time consuming than basic soldering ops. Not all are able to perform at this level. It takes a whole different mindset and focus most are not able to achieve. I can break it down if anyone is interested. The rules are harsh for good reason. Human life is precious and mission failure is intolerable. It’s that simple. Press on and never compromise your work! Stay safe mates!😊👍🏻😷

I was wondering if it would be better to store the tip into some sort of flux-bath or tin-bath when the soldering iron is off? So the tip is submerged into something that is great for the tip.

I solder wire splices on wire harnesses every day at work. Though usually I only solder 5-10 all at once every 1.5-2 hours. I just want to clarify, it is bad to leave it hot? And do I need to tin the tip before I turn it off?

Does the wire scrubber thing need to brass, is that the best type? Is there any alternative I could use, cus I'm sitting here trying to finish a job and can't find my tin with my cleaner in it, and I honestly have no clue what else I could use that won't ruin or do something weird to my tip. I'm self taught with this been learning what I can from youtube, and random people I encounter at like hardware stores and electronic repair stores, but I don't have anyone who's experienced to learn from or call up to ask dumb questions like this. I'm sure I sound like a total novice here, which I am, I admit. But im trying to learn and have less learning the hard way. Thank you

How long does it take for a tip to become irrecoverable? I just bought a weller wps18mp and began soldering without knowledge of oxidation being the enemy. The thing is, the iron has been switched on for a sum of maybe 10 mins in the 3 times I’ve tried to use it, giving me problems as early as the 2 use. I know it’s not the greatest iron, but I’m not gonna be soldering enough to buy $100+ iron. Does this sound normal? Does it really go that bad that quick?

So i saw you in one of Scotty's videos (the rfid/nfc one) lol nasty ice cream! I just accidentally came across your channel! Didnt even know you had one. Anyway, you got a new sub!

The thing I notice a lot of folks doing is running their iron way too hot. Most electrical soldering does not require the hottest setting. Dial it way back. Too much heat burns flux, oxidizes the tip faster and causes you to have to re-tin within seconds. When you run too hot, the problems come at you faster. Burnt flux doesn't let the solder flow, then the tendency is to turn the heat up higher, because more heat melts solder, right? Wrong! Lower your temps to just hot enough to quickly flow the solder without burning the flux. Flux is your friend. Don't burn it and use plenty. Clean often, tin often. Oxidation is enemy #1.

Weller says to store your tip well tinned to block the oxidation of the copper. BTW, mixing 2 metals into 1 is called "alloying". The cleaner and hotter metals are, the more likely they are to alloy. Tin and copper alloy very quickly if very hot, other metals alloy too, just slower to much slower.

cool

Nice intro!

Hi. What type of gloves you should use for soldering small components?

Im a beginner and upset you didnt explain how long on how hot a tip will last before it gets oxidized, if when soldering your tip stays deoxidised or perhaps you should clean it every 5 mins its on, and if the iron should be full heat when using the sponge and tinning it and how to apply that deoxidizing stuff to your tip if you're just using solder wire