Now that you have got a new soldering iron, it would be wise to prep it the right way so that you can increase the longevity!
According to a study in the UK, 3% of the respondents were of the view that they couldn’t live without a soldering iron. Are you going to be one of them?
Let’s find out how to prep your new soldering iron!
Prep A New Soldering Iron
You might be excited to use your soldering iron, but first, you should focus on cleaning and tinning it. However, it’s important to know what a soldering iron is and how it can help you! Knowing the details of what you are using and whether it’s viable for your use or not is a good idea.
Basically, it’s a hand tool that can help in combining two metals together using a solder. However, it’s not just confined to electrical repairs. In fact, it would be suitable for plumbers, roofers, jewelers, and a lot more!
You have a new soldering iron, so it’s important that you are doing everything possible to increase its lifespan. It would last longer if you are able to clean and maintain it quite well.
Using Your Soldering Iron First Time
If you are using the soldering iron for the first time, make sure you are aware of how to safely use it. Plus, you should also follow the safety protocols. Make sure you are in an area that is appropriate for your electronic projects. Avoid wearing loose clothing, open hair, or any jewelry that can make the project difficult to manage while you are working.
Take The Soldering Iron Out Of The Box
Now that you are aware of the do’s and don’t the next thing is to heat up your soldering iron. You can heat it up by turning it on! In just 60 seconds, you can notice that it has started to heat up. You would need to clean it!
It’s possible that when you take the soldering iron right out of the box, the tip might start oxidizing. So, you can start tinning the tip to avoid oxidation. However, for the tinning process, the temperature has to be lowered to 500 ℉.
Clean The Tip Of Soldering Iron
It is important to clean the tip quite frequently especially if you want to increase the lifespan of your soldering iron. The more you clean it after each project, the better it would be!
It would be possible for you to clean the tip of the soldering iron by using a damp sponge. The soldering iron has to be free from any solder which is why it’s better to clean it with a sponge so that you can use it efficiently for your project. If the tip of your soldering iron is dirty then it would be ideal for you!
You have to keep an eye on the tip of your soldering iron. If you are keeping it clean then it would be possible to make the most of your soldering iron.
Tinning The Tip Of Soldering Iron
Cleaning of the soldering iron tip is important so that there is no solder. As mentioned previously, it would be wise to focus on the tinning of the soldering iron. If you are tinning it, you would be saving it from oxidation.
When the iron is hot, you have to apply the solder and coat the tip of the soldering iron. After tinning, you can solder the components! Make sure you are cleaning the soldering iron and re-tinning it for every joint. Doing so would help you increase the lifecycle of soldering iron.
Thus, it can be said that tinning is important. In fact, if you plan on storing away your soldering iron as you might be going for a long trip or not planning to use it for long, don’t forget to store it properly. Even before you store it don’t forget to clean and re-tip it!
That’s how it would be possible for you to keep your soldering iron in good condition for years.
Important Tips To Keep In Mind For Soldering Iron
Keep the following tips in mind to increase the longevity of your soldering iron:
- Keep an eye on the solder. If it starts to disappear it means it’s time to tin the tip of your soldering iron.
- If you are using a sponge for cleaning the tip of the soldering iron then make sure it has the ability to bear high temperatures. So, you have to get the sponge that is suitable for cleaning such items.
- If the water for the sponge is deionized then it would be better since it would help in preventing contamination.
- Make sure you are investing in a suitable soldering iron. To get an idea of what you should get, you can check out the reviews. Plus, it is possible to make soldering iron with a pencil, charger, battery, and a lot more.
- If you are a beginner and have no idea how to prep or maintain the soldering iron then it would be best to ask for help! You can ask someone to guide you. Or you can watch tons of tutorials, read instructions, and find related articles. It’s always advisable to stay safe while dealing with such items. You are at your own risk so research properly!
Wrapping It Up
In order to prep a new soldering iron, you should first be aware of how to use it! Make sure you clean and tin the tip of the soldering iron to make the most of it. If you are taking good care of your soldering iron, it would last longer than usual.
Don’t forget to follow the relevant instructions since you would be using a new soldering iron. Plus, if you plan on storing away your soldering iron after the first use, you still have to clean and re-tip it. Start taking care of your soldering iron when it’s right out of the box.
