Just arrived as replacements for my original tip for my 80 watt beast. Not actually required as the original is still going very strong indeed but I like to have spares as they always seem to become unserviceable at the most inopportune moment. They are only a couple of quid each so I ordered three. These tips are very good and easy to clean and re-tin. They always come up a lovely, even bright shiny condition and solder just flows from them. I thoroughly recommend them. The iron reaches temperature very quickly. Quite a big and heavy beast but works very well. I have a 40 watt version on the way as well. My Weller 40 watt ( with disco lights ) is ok but the tips are not as easily maintained. I seem to go through a lot of them. I have also lost the grub screw for gripping the bit in place. I'm sure it's a common size and will be replaceable. Useful as a standby , but so far Antex leads the way for a tool which can be difficult to master at the best of times for most. So .... if you are new to soldering and you are trying to at least simplify the maintainence part of the iron to allow yourself to concentrate your efforts and frustrations on " use ", I'd recommend looking at Antex and more specifically their " long life tips ". No connection other than a satisfied user. Toto
and here it is. This specific tip is for the Antex SP80 soldering iron. available from Rapid Electronics cheers toto
Interesting you mention how the Weller MT10 tips for the 40w iron burn out quickly no matter how you try and keep them clean, I read a thread on RM web about the same issue and their conclusion was the copper was poor. Since I now only use core fluxed 145 solder and wet the parts to join my MT10 tips have had a longer lifespan. I don't mix low melt solders on the same iron tip and have stopped using solid non core solder too. I think I'll take a peek at the Antex irons.
They often burn out as they are sitting ON at full temp, however, what are the diameters of the Weller and Antex bits, if they are close then you may be able to use the Antex bit in the weller. Depends if the heating element inserts into the tip core like the traditional Antex iron Whereas the weller ones are solid However they hold a lot of heat so are good for soldering lumps of metal rather wires Paul
I only use the MT10 for tack then fast seam soldering... I have that 80W solder station with a needle tip for electrical and fine work.
If you are going through that many tips I would ask are you using a wet sponge to clean them? If so throw it out and get a couple of these stainless steel pan scrubbers. mine sits in a metal pot and I wipe my iron before each use. I have had the same tip on my ERSA soldering iron for 6 or so years without any issue with the tip.
My Antex one is great.... magical properties even. But the Weller ....... not so good. I have a wire doobrey as well. I'll maybe try going back to that again. Toto
I use the brass wiping sponge which sits in a circular tin pot Rob and always wipe the tip dry, after each solder the tip is wiped and retined wist hot. I suspect when the tips were failing with a short working life the copper was of a lesser quality, a wet sponge transfers contaminates particularly if ordinary tap water is used to charge the sponge. My current MT10 tip has been in the iron now for over 18 months.
Let's put it down to my lack of experience and probably incorrect use / regime. Since starting my builds over the last two or three weeks, I've gone through about four of the things. I still have them and I dare say as a fall back if I ran out, they could become serviceable but I'd rather get it right. The main thing for me is I'm getting reasonable results on the work piece. My soldering skills have definitely come on a bit maybe still at the expense of getting value out of my equipment but I'm sure that will come as well. I only need to think back to my previous attempts and it spurs me on. Bring it on. Cheers Toto
I used to have a brass one but it wore out and I had seen someone using the scrubbers so gave it a try. The pot that I use is the one that came with the brass one from Eileen's Emporium.
I must tighter than a ducks ar7e. I have not changed a tip on any of my 5 irons. If they get tatty I just file the profile back dip it in plumbers flux paste and re tin it. I have had most for 20plus years. I change the sponge pad regularly on my stand but just use domestic wash up sponges cut to size. Cheers, Pete.
