So, I have never encountered this before:  My soldering iron turns on & heats up - wipe it on the wet sponge & it hisses, can't touch it, etc. - but it won't melt solder!!

WTF, over?


Peter

Gotta be one of two things:

1.  The tip just isn't getting hot enough
2.  Wrong or defective solder

Maybe try replacing the tip?

Bill, tgo

Well, it's getting hot; but, yeah, maybe not hot enough.  It has melted solder off this roll in the past no problem, so it can't be 2.

I was thinking new new tip, too - but was hoping one of you fine folks would have a cure short of that.  Or maybe "Gee, Dear, my Radio Shack soldering iron stopped working; I guess I better buy a new Solomon".........

Peter

Probably time for a new tip,
Cleaning the joint with alcohol or flux can help if there is old gunk
present.

Yes a dirty tip would do that.  You can also try running it over some fine sandpaper (while cool) will clean it up. 


It also may be dying.  The iron can get hot enough to spit, but not not enough to melt.I


Maybe Mr. Wickersham has a suggestion, he has had a time of two with a soldering iron. 

Depending on the design of the soldering iron (speaking from experience with Weller only), the tip may be loose so that it will get "hot", but not hot enough to work correctly.If everything seems tight, check to see if the tip is shiny "melted solder" looking. If it has black/brown gunk on it, this should be removed - it is an amazing heat insulator. Sand paper when cold or flux when hot.

Thanks, all; I tried cleaning it, but will work at it more today, and check for looseness, as well.

Peter

Ditto about worn or loose tips. I sometimes take my round tips off and turn a new end on my micro lathe. However, they keep getting shorter that way!

Sounds like new tip time. Using a brass sponge tip cleaner will keep your tip alive longer than using a sponge. Also, Caig sells a tip cleaner/tinner in a little tin that works well.
www.jameco.com/z/XYT-460-Xytronic-Industries-Metal-Wool-Soldering-Tip-Cleaner-With-Holder_156777.html
www.amplifiedparts.com/products/tip-tinner-caig-deoxit-soldering-irons

Quote from: gtrguy on July 31, 2020, 10:32:14 AM... I sometimes take my round tips off and turn a new end on my micro lathe. However, they keep getting shorter that way!

Some people say that if you change the direction of the lathe, the tips will get longer.  I don't have a lathe, so haven't tried it myself; but it could help in fixing table legs that are too short.

Moder Dave, I know we all have Covid-19 on our minds, but have you been tested recently for Cabin Fever?

hehehehe

Bill, tgo

OK, I cleaned it a bunch more, and tightened it down good (yes, you were right - it was loose); now it melts solder again - but I may still pop for a new tip anyway.

Thanks for assist. folks!

Peter

Well, the cleaning didn't really do the trick, and I cannot find a new tip (2 separate Amazon orders of tips specified to fit my model did not, in fact, fit, and none of 3 local possibilities carries it), so, it's new iron time; any recommendations?  It will be used almost exclusively for guitar-wiring-type work; I want it to be good, but am not interested in breaking the bank (browsing online, I've seen set-ups from ~$40 to just south of a grand).

Thanks in advance,
Peter

I'm such a geek that I'm excited about YOU getting a new iron.  HA! 

A few years back when I visited Ron W he was singing the praises of his Metcal SP200 iron.  That iron somehow keeps its tip temperature steady regardless of the thermal load.  Magic, I think.  I believe their model numbers have changed and in fact they look pretty expensive... 

I've heard good things about Hakko which seem more reasonably priced and have good reviews.

I'm still using an old Weller station with interchangeable / different temperature tips.  Serves me fine.  Whatever you get will be a joy after what you've been trying to make work.

Let us know!
Jimmy J

I use a Weller WE S51, really happy with it (ten years and going strong).