Material for Soldering Iron Tip
Steve Walker
It is a plain rod approx 4.7mm x 40mm, with a simple chisel-tipped work end.
The end of this slots into the heated element of the iron, and is secured
with a tiny split pin.
I could easily fabricate one if I could get the material - I'm assuming
it's some kind of annealed copper or brass.
Have googled & ebayed for an hour, but vendors all seem to describe the
diameter of the hot, pointy end (rather than the bit that slots into the
heating element).
Any ideas or links welcome - Thanks!
Bob Eager
I had a lucky hit on a discussion which said that earlier ones were solid
copper, later ones being plated. So copper would seem to be the thing.
--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org
Adrian Brentnall
Only trouble is that a 'copper-only' soldering iron 'bit' will
erode over time - which is why they plate them. (
Soldering iron bits always seem very expensive for what they are -
the bits for my stained-glass ceramic-element iron come in at an
eye-watering $24 each - but they do last about a year (which is a fair
amount of soldering) and they are in contact with some fairly corrosive
fluxes...
For occasional use, I'd think you'll be fine with a suitably-sized piece
of copper rod - and you can always file it flat again when it erodes <g>
Steve Walker
> For occasional use, I'd think you'll be fine with a suitably-sized piece
> of copper rod - and you can always file it flat again when it erodes <g>
Thanks, yes that's what happens now - the tip hollows out like a crater and
I file it flat periodically.
Now for a bonus point, can you let me have a few inches of 4.7mm copper rod?
Adrian Brentnall
Sadly not !
(If I had some then you'd be welcome)
The nearest thing I've got is brass rod that I use
for some of my stained glass work - but that wouldn't do you...
It'll be one of those 'rod costs tuppence, min order �5, plus postage'
deals - maybe get a decent price on ebay or somewhere similar ?
Sorry <g>
Adrian
Andrew Gabriel
Yep - dad still has one, which I learned to solder with.
That's a solid copper rod, horribly corroded now. I think
he replaced the bit once when I was about 8 or 9 and had
started using it.
If you are soldering much, I would strongly suggest buying
a temperature controlled iron which takes iron-plated copper
bits. I bought a Weller TCP-1 at university, and I've been
using it for 30 years now. You have to replace bits more
often as the plating wears off, but it's so much nicer to
use.
One thing about having learned on the old Solon is that I
can create very neat soldered joints with anything - screw
driver on the gas stove, etc - and this does come in handy
from time to time.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
NT
My Solons have a variety of items used for bits, ranging from Solon
copper bits to pieces of brass salvaged from whatever. I once tried
out an iron that used a steel nail as a bit, and even that worked ok.
You dont need to get too precious about it. I'd talk to a scrappie,
see if they've got something in brass or copper.
NT
Steve Walker
> It'll be one of those 'rod costs tuppence, min order �5, plus postage'
http://ly.rsdelivers.com/product/rs/brass-rod-stock-500mm-l-5mm-dia/0682624.aspx
Eeek!
Adrian Brentnall
When I started with the 3mm brass rod I bought some on ebay - intended
for model-makers, I think - came very nicely packaged and quite highly
priced..
Had a flash of inspiration one day and discovered that the local car
spares place sells 3mm brazing rod for next to nothing - simples!
As others have said - temperature-controlled is the way to go if you're
doing lots of electronic work - does make the job much simpler..
Some of the earlier Weller temp-controller irons use a magent which is
part of the 'tip' to do the temperature control -
so the bits are more expensive...
All depends on how often you expect to be using it
Steve Walker
Adrian Brentnall
> Steve Walker wrote:
>> Adrian Brentnall wrote:
>>
>> http://ly.rsdelivers.com/product/rs/brass-rod-stock-500mm-l-5mm-dia/0682624.aspx
>>
>> Eeek!
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-16-DIA-BRASS-ROD-Model-engineering-Live-steam_W0QQitemZ110500443394QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Trains_Railway_Models?hash=item19ba56f502
>
> Phew!
>
>
Yes - I think they're the guys I used.
Same stuff (afaik) at the local car spares place is about �1/metre
- and no postage <g>
geoff
<spam...@beeb.net> writes
tips are only a couple of quid each
--
geoff
Frank Erskine
wrote:
>My venerable Henley Solon soldering iron is gradually running out of tip.
>It is a plain rod approx 4.7mm x 40mm, with a simple chisel-tipped work end.
>The end of this slots into the heated element of the iron, and is secured
>with a tiny split pin.
>
>I could easily fabricate one if I could get the material - I'm assuming
>it's some kind of annealed copper or brass.
Many years ago I made a new Solon tip out of a bit of 3/16" brazing
rod. Not quite as good as copper, but it did the job.
--
Frank Erskine
Man at B&Q
> In article <7vf8doFjg...@mid.individual.net>,
A piece of thickish copper wire (e.g. co-ax inner conductor) filed to
a point and wrapped around a normal bit makes a good stand in for
soldering fine pitch (sub mm) surface mount components when a proper
small bit is not available.
MBQ
Dave
What I have used in the past is 3/16 of an inch copper rivets (4.8 mm)
I'm not quite sure where to look for them these days though. Model
engineering shop?
Dave
geoff
writes
Silly me - forgot the link, duh
http://cpc.farnell.com/duratool/zd-929c-89-2932/soldering-station-digital
-bs-plug/dp/SD01116
--
geoff
terry
> In message <EbUB4wKaUpkLF...@demon.co.uk>, geoff <ra...@kateda.org>
> writes
>
>
>
>
>
> >In message <7vf81uFvo...@mid.individual.net>, Steve Walker
> ><spam-t...@beeb.net> writes
> >>My venerable Henley Solon soldering iron is gradually running out of tip.
> >>It is a plain rod approx 4.7mm x 40mm, with a simple chisel-tipped work end.
> >>The end of this slots into the heated element of the iron, and is secured
> >>with a tiny split pin.
>
> >>I could easily fabricate one if I could get the material - I'm assuming
> >>it's some kind of annealed copper or brass.
>
> >>Have googled & ebayed for an hour, but vendors all seem to describe the
> >>diameter of the hot, pointy end (rather than the bit that slots into the
> >>heating element).
>
> >>Any ideas or links welcome - Thanks!
>
> >When these are less than 32 +, why not just buy a new one
> >tips are only a couple of quid each
>
> Silly me - forgot the link, duh
>
> -bs-plug/dp/SD01116
>
> --
> geoff- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Yup. Have 25 watt and 65 watt Solons dating from the 1950s. Both used
for electrical/radio work.
Both are 230 volt and here in N.America have run them from a
transformer and now have 230 volt outlets on the bench.
Both are also earthed/grounded.
The 25 watter has been refitted a couple of times with home made
copper tips made from a short pieces of approx 6AWG (American wire
gauge), APPROX 4 MM DIAMETER wire. That tip is held in with a small
wire split pin.
The 65 watter sort of spade tip doesn't need a replacement yet but it
looks to be about 8 to 10 mm diam. that tip is held in with a small
set screw. Considering the age but limited home experimenter use am
well pleased with the Solon products. And do not foresee an problems
fabricating copper replacements as long as the heating elements hold
out. Have never rewound one of them; yet!
Also have one of those soldering guns, and have fabricated tips for
that on several occasions using bits of copper wire. Especially when a
couple of hundred miles away from HQ!
So have a go; make up a couple of tips; probably well worth the ten to
fifteen minutes; once have found suitable material!
Grimly Curmudgeon
drugs began to take hold. I remember "Steve Walker" <spam...@beeb.net>
saying something like:
>>> It'll be one of those 'rod costs tuppence, min order �5, plus postage'
>>
>> http://ly.rsdelivers.com/product/rs/brass-rod-stock-500mm-l-5mm-dia/0682624.aspx
>>
>> Eeek!
That's RS for you - but by crackey they know how to charge.
Much more sensible. As Adrian says, there's no shortage of brazing rod
for dirt cheap.
NT
> On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 14:44:13 -0000, "Steve Walker" <spam-t...@beeb.net>
> wrote:
>
> >My venerable Henley Solon soldering iron is gradually running out of tip.
> >It is a plain rod approx 4.7mm x 40mm, with a simple chisel-tipped work end.
> >The end of this slots into the heated element of the iron, and is secured
> >with a tiny split pin.
>
> >I could easily fabricate one if I could get the material - I'm assuming
> >it's some kind of annealed copper or brass.
>
> Many years ago I made a new Solon tip out of a bit of 3/16" brazing
> rod. Not quite as good as copper, but it did the job.
I've seen the pin from a 15A round pin plug used too.
NT
Andy Wade
But you really do need copper (~4 times the thermal conductivity of
70/30 brass).
From recent experience I can thoroughly recommend
http://www.mallardmetals.co.uk/ for small quantity metals. Their
catalogue lists 3/16 in. round copper bar at £3.36 per ft. (ex-VAT). If
you only want one length they will, IME, reduce the £4 standard minimum
postage charge if you phone up and ask nicely.
--
Andy
Norman Billingham
"NT" <meow...@care2.com> wrote in message
news:091f3e94-20b6-42f9...@y11g2000yqh.googlegroups.com...
As others have said it will be 3/16 diameter copper (if it's as old as mine
it was made long before metrication). You can get 3/16 round copper bar for
�3 a foot including VAT and carriage from Chronos:
Steve Walker
Thanks Andy, and everyone else who's helped
Steve Walker
> As others have said it will be 3/16 diameter copper (if it's as old as
> mine it was made long before metrication). You can get 3/16 round
> copper bar for �3 a foot including VAT and carriage from Chronos:
>
> http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/
Ooooh, that's the one - thanks Norman
Well worth a look folks!