How to get solder to stick to iron, or , my new micro solder iron sucks.

[craigolio1]

It’s probably because I paid about $30 for it on Amazon, but I bought a micro soldering pencil iron and I cannot get soldered to stick to the tip. I have cleaned it with flux, I have cleaned it on a wet towel, I have sanded the tip a little bit. Solder just beats up and does not stick to it like it does on my nice Weller. Is there something I’m doing wrong or should I just send this thing back and pay the money for a better one?

On that note. Does anybody know an economical iron with a micro tip that will allow me to solder 0201 LEDs without buying a new $400 soldering station ?

I’m home. I’ll post what model of Weller soldering station I have. Perhaps there is a micro tip for it, although I’ve looked and haven’t had any luck finding one.

Thanks

Craig

[peteski]

Did you try tinning it right at the first time you powered it up?

Most soldering iron tips are made of nickel plated copper which should have the tip tinned at the factory.  More expensive tips are copper which is then iron plated, then nickel plated over the iron.  The copper is for thermal conductivity, the nickel is to protect the copper and iron is to extend the tip's life.

If this is a temperature-controlled iron, dial it up to 700 deg. F. You might try using some acid-based flux (like zinc-chloride-based Tix Flux or even some plumber's paste flux) and dip the tip with the beads of solder on it in the flux. The acid should etch (clean) the tip's surface allowing the solder to wet it.

[craigolio1]

Did you try tinning it right at the first time you powered it up?

Most soldering iron tips are made of nickel plated copper which should have the tip tinned at the factory.  More expensive tips are copper which is then iron plated, then nickel plated over the iron.  The copper is for thermal conductivity, the nickel is to protect the copper and iron is to extend the tip's life.

If this is a temperature-controlled iron, dial it up to 700 deg. F. You might try using some acid-based flux (like zinc-chloride-based Tix Flux or even some plumber's paste flux) and dip the tip with the beads of solder on it in the flux. The acid should etch (clean) the tip's surface allowing the solder to wet it.

I did. This one only goes up to 450 degrees. At least thats what the little wheel says.

I’ll see if I can find some acid flux in the garage.

Thanks!