Soldering Advice Needed

I've been watching youtube videos to learn how to solder wires together. Apparently, it is important to "tin" the top of the soldering iron. My question is, if the tip is tinned with one type of solder, can that tip then be used with another type of solder? For example, if the tip is tinned with leaded solder, can that tip be used with lead free solder.

Can't imagine why not, unless somebody chimes in with detailed chemical analysis not to.

I've been soldering wires and electronics for over 50 years, and you can use the same tip. Get as much as possible of the "other" solder off.

That said, don't use that lead-free crap unless it's for something that goes in your mouth... it is just hard to work with and requires more heat.
There are plenty of sources for 63/37 tin/lead solder with rosin-core flux (you can also use 60/40 which is more commonly available).
Also, never ever use acid-core solder, or acid fluxes, on anything except plumbing.


-Charles

I let the tip heat up enough to melt and clean all the old solder off with a small wire brush before using it, I retin it every time I don't do a lot of soldering anymore either
As said make sure the solder flows onto all the wires, top and bottom and both ends

Everything you need to know about soldering. Watch at the 3:45 for your answer. I love these old films

You should also practice the trick of wiping the hot soldering tip on a piece of wet kitchen sponge to clean the black oxidized solder off before soldering a new joint.

Another trick to know is that solder will not stick to chrome plating,
like the chrome plating on a “safety pin”.
A chromed safety pin can be stuck into a hot blob of solder over a hole, which will keep the hole open until the solder cools and solidifies, when you can easily pull the pin tip out leaving an open hole for a new lead to be inserted into.

You can also use the larger chromed “clasp” of a safety pin like a dam to hold solder back from running downhill to where you do not want solder.

Adjustable temperature soldering irons are much cheaper today.
Ryobi makes a portable battery powered version.

You should also have flat copper braid to “suck up” unwanted solder.
Commercially this is called “solder wick” and is sold in small coils.
In a pinch, the copper braid inside of TV coaxial cable can be stripped out and used to remove unwanted solder.

A spring loaded “Solder Sucker” vacuum tool is also useful.

I agree with DrCharles that the lead free solder is super annoying.

I am so mentally slow because of all the lead fumes I breathed in
while filling toy soldier molds with molten lead as a 7 year old,
and by the solder fumes my father exposed me too as I soldered
in IC chips on lightning damaged digital circuits as a 10 year old,
which was a felony violation of the Mine Safety &Health federal law.

Did you know the Roman Empire fell apart because
they started drinking lotsa acidic wine from lead-pewter mugs?

Yes I usually heat iron then when hot dip it in flux to clean wipe off with damp cloth and then tin it. Make sure to use rosin core solder for wiring.

A lot of goot tips there, (no pun intended)

Use thinner diameter solder than that rope stuff they sell in the box stores.

I use a lot of .024 and .032 ish Kester solder. Think about it like welding, same basic concept. You wouldn't use a 1/8" rod to tack a quarter panel in place, you use thinner stuff .024-.035 wire

Practice helps and stay away from cold solder joints. Heat the wire from bottom and let solder melt through the wire. Having a tool with enough wattage to heat wire quickly sure helps too.

I assume you're being humorous, but actually you were unlikely to have been exposed to lead fumes. Fumes are airborne tiny particles of vaporized metal and you only get that when the metal has been heated above its boiling point, not melting. For lead that's 3180F
The smoke from solder is from the rosin flux which can also be injurious to the lungs in large quantity (or if allergic).
Most exposure from soldering is from eating and drinking without washing your hands first.
Sorry, that's my occupational medicine background talking

That is certainly one theory about the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. See, for example, this article...

On the other hand, every civilization seems to follow the same pattern of ascendance, a golden age, then a rapid decline. I recommend Jared Diamond's "Collapse: How Civilizations Choose to Fail or Succeed" while you're waiting for Mopar parts!

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming while I go work on my valve keepers some more