Choosing New Soldering Iron Tips

Knowing when to replace your soldering iron tips can be tricky. Tips develop different discolorations and marks depending on how you use them, and some tips last much longer than others. Luckily, knowing when to replace your tips isn't so hard if you follow some basic maintenance guidelines.

Most tips manufactured today are a copper core surrounded by iron, and a tip with good-quality iron plating should last a long time if you take care of it. To maintain your tips, you’ll need to tin then after every use. Tinning involves cleaning the tip with a damp sponge and flooding the tip with solder before unplugging the iron. Proper tinning technique is vital to making your tips last as long as possible; if you’re not familiar with tinning, learn how to do it correctly before continuing with any soldering projects.

If you’ve been tinning your tips, don’t worry if they develop some blue or purple discoloration. This coloring is the result of a thin oxide layer and isn’t a sign that your tips have gone bad. What you do need to watch out for are abrasions or mechanical damage to the iron plating on the tips. Once this plating is breached or damaged, the tips will corrode quickly. As soon as you see damage to the iron plating on your tips, it’s time to start thinking about replacing them.

The Advantage of Hakko Soldering Tools

Soldering is an exercise of precision. In order to achieve an elite result, it is important to have the right skills and the right tools. While experience is the best way to build personal expertise, the right tools can have a huge impact on the ultimate soldering outcome. This is why Hakko products are a smart choice.

Hakko is a Japanese company that was founded in 1952. Since its inception, Hakko has focused on quality soldering tools. This means that the company has over 60 years of experience, making it an undisputed leader in the industry. Over the decades, Hakko has continually refined its products, broadening its line to include more specialized soldering tools. Now, Hakko carries a diverse range of products, including soldering irons, pots, meters, replacement parts and more.

The reason Hakko has been so successful can be directly linked to the company's commitment to quality and its keen understanding of the soldering process. Hakko soldering tools are designed to be used by professionals, giving users control and power to complete projects. In fact, its newest models have the fastest heating times in the industry. Moreover, the flow of heat is very consistent, ensuring an even stream of heat until the job is done. Additionally, the products are also built to endure, which is why many Hakko soldering tools will last for decades.