Sorry I don't know any other electronics forums. I was trying to solder some stuff onto a 8 pin socket when I realised that the tip was black. I couldn't seem to tin it and it took ages to heat up.
I figured that a new tip would cost as much as a tip cleaner or whatever that stuff that renews your tip is called. I got a sandpaper foam block and sanded some of it but it kept on coming back within the first minute of being hot enough to use. The only way I could stop it was to tin it straight away but I could never tin all of the tip in time would only be able to tin blobs on it, not the actual point. I would have to sand it a bit after every few times.
Anyway I looked on the dick smith site and it says you can get spare tips in DSE Sydney but I live in Melbourne. The soldering station I have is a T1976 does anyone know where I can get a spare tip.
Also any tips on how to keep it clean? Should I get one of those brass shaving things and should the tip always have solder on it or be tinned?
I figured that a new tip would cost as much as a tip cleaner or whatever that stuff that renews your tip is called. I got a sandpaper foam block and sanded some of it but it kept on coming back within the first minute of being hot enough to use. The only way I could stop it was to tin it straight away but I could never tin all of the tip in time would only be able to tin blobs on it, not the actual point. I would have to sand it a bit after every few times.
Anyway I looked on the dick smith site and it says you can get spare tips in DSE Sydney but I live in Melbourne. The soldering station I have is a T1976 does anyone know where I can get a spare tip.
Also any tips on how to keep it clean? Should I get one of those brass shaving things and should the tip always have solder on it or be tinned?