How to Efficiently Tin a Soldering Iron Tip

What is a Soldering Iron?

A soldering iron is a hand tool used in soldering, which supplies heat to melt solder so that it can flow into contact points between two workpieces.

Soldering irons are widely used in electronics to join wires and components.

The tip of the soldering iron is typically made of a metal that efficiently conducts heat, such as copper.

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Why Does Soldering Iron Need to be Tinned?

If a soldering iron does not melt the solder, the likely culprit is the oxidation of the iron tip.

To prevent oxidation from happening, the soldering iron tip needs to be tinned - covered with a thin layer of solder.

Tinning the soldering iron tip will improve the heat conductivity and will make it easier to work with.

The subject of this tutorial: How to tin or re-tin an oxidized soldering iron tip?

Video Chapters:

  • 00:00 - The soldering iron won't melt the solder
  • 00:35 - Materials needed for tinning (or re-tinning) the soldering iron tip
  • 01:07 - Steps for tinning (or re-tinning) the soldering iron tip
  • 03:17 - Properly tinned soldering iron tip
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