Thank you so much for this tutorial. As a beginner, I didn’t know how to properly ‘tin the tip’ and I also struggled with proper cleaning of the tip. Having this knowledge moving forward is going to make all the difference. Much appreciated.

Actually appreciate being shown the proper way to use the Tip Tinner I wasn't 100% I was doing it right, thanks!

I am here in 2023! I have and love that Weller WES51 soldering station! I just recently started to use that tip Tinner and it is awesome too!! I need to get the Hakko tip cleaner thingy! I just use the sponge but it is getting worn out. Thanks for doing this video! It is helpful!

Thank you so much for this! I'm just barely getting more into soldering after dealing with a cheapo Radioshack iron for a few years, and I was looking for something that had the context of audio electronics specifically. When you started talking about TRS jacks I felt like I was home.

Thanks for this video. I’ve been having trouble with my soldering iron. I’m new to soldering but Ive been doing it for a few months because I got into different game system mods that require it. And my solder stopped sticking to the tip. Didn’t meet properly. And was overall annoying to work with and no matter what I tried it didn’t seem to work. Sponges. The dry cleaner. But this clearly explained why that happens. And how to fix that. Granted my tip is too far gone. The end has degraded. But I bought replacements. And now I know how to properly use and take care of my tools. Thank you for explaining everything and offering multiple options for different things.

Thank you for this. Been making my own soldering station with all the gadgets for the first time want to keep my stuff nice.

This is the video I was looking for

Very good video, perfect explanations. A++

You deserve more views dude, keep these videos coming! Great info!

Thanks for advice! Really I just needed to know if these sponges need to be wet

Great advice! Thanks. BRICKS. I mount these -- and also helping hands -- with double-stick foam tape on clean bricks. Nothing moves.

Perfect explanation! Many 🙏

Sounds good.

Fyi, some manufacturers recommend using the metal ball ones like this -> put it in, rotate, remove. Supposed to be a gentle process, not much force. Don't have to stab or push/pull sideways etc. Heat loss wise on sponges, it depends how quickly the station recovers and how quickly you move from sponge to next workpiece. If you just dab quickly the sponge it's not excessive. If you hold it against it, rub it around on there over and over it can drop the temp pretty severely (at least according to some stations' temp gauges.. again, just depends how quickly you need the temp all the way back up). If the tip is tinned well, I doubt it needs a huge rub mid-work, just pat. Sandpaper wise, I agree. First try a wire brush, then something like a softer polishing stone (weller one is ~ $10 for example). For some units, the sponge replacements are like $10 for a stack of them on amazon.

I use brass metal sponges and they clean well plus you don't have to deal with liquid reducing your tip temperature + the water speeds up oxidization I believe

Thank you for this. I solder a lot and I finally upgraded to a Stahl DDSS station.The iron quality is way better than the cheap $20.00 ones I've been using the last few years so I want to be sure I'm cleaning the tip properly to get long lasting use out of it. When you are done soldering and coat the tip with some tin before shutting it off, do you flick the excess solder off and then put it in the holder or do you just let the mound sit on the tip until the next time you fire it up?

Copper scouring ball is really magical the first time I tried it. My solder tip won't get clean using my damp sponge, but one brush to the ball is all I need to cover the tip with tin.

Appreciate the eco input on disposing of used items, and how to use a tip tinner properly:)

So, replace the sponge of copper brass piece. Can use sandpaper or tip tinner. Neat.

I'm glad you mentioned the proper way of disposal of used sponges and cleaning balls. A lot of people are ignorant and just dump this toxic waste in the "general waste" bins.

Hi. Thanks.

Brilliant thanks.

Finally a video i understand

Can a stealthy mesh be used or will it damage the tip?

Thank you.

Is there a way to clean the whole iron not just the tip, I know it’s not necessary but Is there

as the brass sponge gets clumped, you can turn it around and the other side may still be good

I like these vidoes

that foam in the weller handle melted away in the first hours of use when i bought it and i was not using high temps lol

I ordered a copper tip cleaner & yesterday I bought a 3pk of stainless steel spiral scrubbers thinking they'll do the same thing. I've used a stabbing motion when cleaning my tips but haven't tried twisting yet. I might look into tip tinner also

Thermal cycling isn't a problem. The tip can get hot and cold millions of times and not be negatively affected IF the hot part of the cycle isn't oxiding and IF the heat flow outward isn't a shock that might crack the tip. Keep in mind, the tips are cast iron and brittle.

how often can you use tip tinner? please

I've completely abandoned the damp sponge and use the brass wool only. I have seen no need for the sponge anymore, and the thermal shock of the damp sponge seems a negative for tip life.

Clean your tip often gentleman, your girl will thank you

Pro tip: to hold your stuff down use gorilla putty or blue take might also work 2:56 for reference

From where I can get that scrubber 😔😔

Hey great vid, but why do you have a Hakko cleaner when you're using a Weller iron?

amazing

My tips keep going bad only after a few joints? I’m cleaning them regularly and tinning so don’t know why this is happening. One of my tips dissolved entirely

Never use sand paper . You don't wanna remove tin and chrome coating.

When it hot, i cant clean it

140 seconds of sponge

My only complaint is the audio in this video is really low.

Legendary tip: milk

Hazmat? Hahahahaha!

"Hazmat" click....

No no no! Never use a kitchen sponge!

big lock picking lawyer energy

I had mine in a pool of water, what an idiot I am.

Bla bla bla bla

Too much talk!

dude i cannot hear you

yaketi yak talk a lot to say nothing

Your english speaking is fast, i couldnt get it

A lot of talking... could’ve gotten to the actual points a lot quicker