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Hints, Tips and Solutions (Do NOT post requests for help here) If you have any useful general hints and tips for vintage technology repair and restoration, please share them here. PLEASE DO NOT POST REQUESTS FOR HELP HERE!

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Old 6th Oct 2016, 3:35 pm   #1
jonnybear
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Default Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

This is a little item I made up for cleaning my soldering iron tip, I always used the damp sponge and still do along with this.
I was looking at a empty tin of mackerel and had an idea, so I thought I would raid my wife's kitchen cabinet while she was down the garden, to avoid being arrested and pinched one of her stainless steel scourers.
I cut out a slot in the bottom with a dremel and stuffed the stainless steel pot scourer in it then made a bottom out of a piece of ply. it works a treat and did not cost a penny, she did not even notice the scourer had gone missing, it is not often I get away things.
John
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Old 6th Oct 2016, 3:52 pm   #2
MrBungle
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

Nice work - perfect. Beats the £5 a pop Xytronic ones!

I do the cleaning in our house so stealing one of these from myself is easy
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Old 6th Oct 2016, 5:12 pm   #3
Herald1360
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

It might be harsher on the bit than the usual brass wool type. Dunno if it would matter for non production use though.
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Old 6th Oct 2016, 8:34 pm   #4
fetteler
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jonnybear View Post
....she did not even notice the scourer had gone missing, it is not often I get away things.
Great idea John, and your secret would have been safe..... until you posted it on the internet for all the world to see!!

Cheers,
Steve.
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Old 7th Oct 2016, 8:40 am   #5
jonnybear
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

Did not think of that angle Steve, Ah well another night in Jail
John
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Old 8th Oct 2016, 8:09 pm   #6
IanBland
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

I initially read this as a "cleaner of the tips of cheap soldering irons". English is a funny old language.
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Old 8th Oct 2016, 8:26 pm   #7
reelguy
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

Even though I used to work in a computer firm {In the 70s !} assembling PC boards and used a Weller iron with a wet sponge type tip cleaner which worked well.
if soldering now I use the leg of my jeans to wipe the tip !. Don't do it slowly though.
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Old 8th Oct 2016, 8:55 pm   #8
Lloyd 1985
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

I couldn't find anything suitable to clean my iron the other day, so used a split piece of wood! I have been known to use a piece of cardboard too. I will have to make one if these with the metallic wooly stuff in it.

Can't find anything since we moved house!

Regards,
Lloyd
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Old 9th Oct 2016, 9:43 pm   #9
Oldcodger
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Default Re: Cheap soldering iron tip cleaner.

I've found that an old nylon pot scourer ( if kept damp) works well . However, I once had to lead wipe to copper and couldn't find my moleskin. I found that the rear of emery cloth ( suitably wiped with tallow/flux) worked equally well . But not something that I've tried on an iron tip.
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