Tinning a Soldering Iron

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 25, 3 January 1930, Page 26

Tinning a Soldering Iron

A WELL-TINNED | soldering iron can be used frequently, and will remain properly tinned if put away for a time, so that it is worth going to a little trouble to tin the iron properly. The actual tinning consists simply in providing the business end of the iron with a thin layer of solder. To do this you must first of all clean the tip of the iron, for about three-quar-ters of an inch back from the end, by filing it carefully. (A particularly good job is made by finally polishing the surface with emery cloth.) Heat the iron as if for soldering, and whilst it is still hot spread a thin layer of flux on the tip of the iron, immediately after rubbing the tip on a few pieces of soft solder placed on-a tin lidy If the iron is properly heated, the solder will adhere to the tip of the iron and form a bright coating all over it. This will last for a long time, but will need renewal if iron is overheated, when it must be re-tinned in the same way again. Always have a clean cloth handy when soldering, so that any im- purities or dirt may be removed as soon as noted. yar /