703-623-0905
  Kim S. Joy
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Art
    • Jewelry
    • Stained Glass >
      • Commissions
    • Commission Work
    • Repair
  • Classes and Events
  • Art Happens on Tarboro
  • My Studio
  • Blog
  • Etsy Shop
  • Contact
  • Insider Newsletter Sign Up
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Art
    • Jewelry
    • Stained Glass >
      • Commissions
    • Commission Work
    • Repair
  • Classes and Events
  • Art Happens on Tarboro
  • My Studio
  • Blog
  • Etsy Shop
  • Contact
  • Insider Newsletter Sign Up

KIM S JOY STAINED GLASS AND JEWE​LRY

Blogging with glass

Caring for Your Soldering Iron

11/17/2021

0 Comments

 
There are many choices of soldering irons for stained glass. My favorite two are the Weller 100 and Hakko FX-601.

When you purchase a new iron it will need to be tinned. By that I mean applying flux to warm iron tip and then rolling tip in solder. It needs a base of solder on it to work properly and to be maintained.

While soldering you can clean tip of flux residue (black) by dragging soldering iron tip over damp sponge of brass tip cleaner. This will help keep iron in good working order.

Metals oxidize when exposed to air and hot metal can oxidize quicker if not tended properly. This can lead to a hard blackish-brown crusty type of build up that won't wipe off. This build up interferes with the heat transfer from the iron tip to the solder and will greatly impact your work.

After trying both the sponge and flux to clean the tip of your soldering iron, sal ammoniac would be the next step if the others didn't work.

Sal ammoniac for cleaning your stained glass soldering iron tip comes in a solid block form similar to that of a bar of soap. It is hazardous so please read all safety tips included in or on the packaging. To use it, simply rub the hot iron tip across the surface in a bit of a scrubbing motion. It should work fairly quickly but sometimes the buildup is a bit stubborn to come off. Once the whole tip is clean and shiny, immediately add solder to it and it will flow smoothly around the whole tip.

Every week I loosen the collar that keeps the Weller 100 tip on and clean. If you do not keep the iron clean the flux overspray off so tip and collar do not rust.
​
Do not use a file, metal grinder or emery cloth to sand or scrape the iron tips clean. This will only damage the plating on the iron tip and ruin it. Try the  cleaning methods mentioned above and if these cleaning procedures do not work, just get a replacement iron tip.

​If you  have any questions please email me at kim@kimsjoy.com
Picture
Weller 100 and Hakko FX-601 Soldering Irons
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Sitting Nook in my studio
    Blogging with Glass!


    ​Kim S. Joy

    I am a stained glass artist who loves her job. I want to share the wonderful work of stained glass and jewelry making with you.
    ​

    Categories

    All
    Art Beat
    Art Happens On Tarboro
    Center For The Arts
    Fairfax Parks And Rec
    Jewelry Classes In Virginia
    Jewelry In Woodbridge VA
    Kim S. Joy
    Kim S. Joy Stained Glass
    Kim S. Joy Studio
    Stained Glass Classes In Virginia
    Stained Glass In Woodbridge VA
    Stained Glass Repair
    Workhouse Arts Center

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014

    RSS Feed

Where's Kim?

Classes
Shows, Fairs and Events

Insider List Sign Up

Custom Commissions

Bring your vision to life with custom art: Click here to find out how easy it is to commission stained glass for your home.
Terms and conditions

Let's Connect


©2023 Kim S. Joy/All Rights Reserved