Mastodawn

Struggling to get solder to flow? Before you blame your iron, check the tip. A dirty or oxidized tip can't transfer heat properly, which is the #1 reason beginners think their iron is "broken."

The fix is quick: keep the tip clean with brass wool or a damp sponge, and keep it tinned with a thin layer of fresh solder. Do it when you start a job and again before you store the iron, and your tips will last dramatically longer.

Full step-by-step guide here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Clean+and+Tin+a+Soldering+Iron+Tip/175931

@iFixit I used to wipe the tip on my overalls leg, until I went somewhere hot and wore shorts....

Libre>Gratis 5d ago

@DJHVII @iFixit I burnt my thigh the first time I soldered in gym shorts, I used to flick excess solder off of the iron to the floor haphazard. (Yes I was a little gremlin.)

I'll aways remember not to do that anymore because I still have the scar where a big glob landed on my leg. 😆

@libreovergratis Ow !

unsponsor 5d ago

@libreovergratis @DJHVII @iFixit yeah I had a bad habit of forgeting even to grab some toilet paper to wet when butane soldering and would lick my fingers and clean the tip with them. only got a little burned

Moss (the τεχie) <(fsm)>{{5d ago

@libreovergratis
Same here, but I seem to have been even more stupid. [glances at those scars on both of my thighs]
@DJHVII @iFixit

withinity 5d ago

@DJHVII oh no oh no oh no no no

Cat 🐈🥗 (D.Burch)

@DJHVII @iFixit 😱

Fritz Adalis 5d ago

@DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad
Two things you never do naked: solder or cook bacon. Life lessons.

David Zaslavsky 5d ago

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad However I see no mention of soldering bacon 🤔

uname -a 🇻🇦🍉5d ago

@diazona @FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad bacon is technically conductive

David Zaslavsky 5d ago

@jarinks @FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad the best kind of conductive

Karen E. Lund 💙💛5d ago

@diazona @FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad You probably shouldn't solder bacon at all.

Fritz Adalis 5d ago

@diazona @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad
Live your life free from the shackles of how THEY want you to cook!

I suggest lead-free solder for food though.

uname -a 🇻🇦🍉5d ago

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad just use gloves when soldering. non conductive heat proof ones. life lessons

uname -a 🇻🇦🍉5d ago

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad learned this lesson after a few permanent scars, they look pretty cool tho, taught me to never underestimate the temperature of a soldering iron

The Turtle 5d ago

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad I would add "arc weld" to this list. Highly interesting sunburns in place you don't want them.

MrGrumpyMonkey 5d ago

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad Just need to remember to put the cooking apron on for the bacon grease. As for soldering, I'm trying to understand how this is a problem.

Fritz Adalis 5d ago

@mrgrumpymonkey @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad
Sometimes bits of molten solder fly off in random directions, kinda like bacon grease but hotter.

MrGrumpyMonkey 5d ago

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad What are you doing to fling solder? I mean, that does sound painful, but I'm usually pretty careful, even when fully clothed.

Fritz Adalis 5d ago

@mrgrumpymonkey @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad
Idk, a bit of rosin pops, bump the iron against something or slip, moisture boils away. It's not very likely, agreed. Perhaps my threat model is not your threat model.

@FritzAdalis @DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad ow, owee, ouch!

I AM BANKSY ☕ / 🗑‍🔥5d ago

@FritzAdalis
Never solder bacon even with clothes on.
@DJHVII @iFixit @catsalad @catsalad

yuki - queen of the snow 5d ago

@DJHVII @iFixit ow.. ouch... this hurts just reading this

@DJHVII @iFixit 😬