When you reach the end of the day, what to you do to insure you soldering iron is taken care of?
Most people don't know that they should leave a ball of solder on the tip of the iron. When you start to lose the tin on the tip, Radio Shack sells a item that is great to retinning your soldering iron.
My tips last at least a couple of years before I replace them. The only tips I replace more are the ones for desoldering. Radio Shack also sells one that is cheap, but you will go through tips. I used this unit for many years before I finally decided to spend the money on a good Pace unit.
Hot air units are very nice now, but the tips will kill you. Unless you can get a knockoff of them from China. If you decide to go hot air, get a old board to play with, some tweezers for holding items in place for rework or removal.
Most people don't know that they should leave a ball of solder on the tip of the iron. When you start to lose the tin on the tip, Radio Shack sells a item that is great to retinning your soldering iron.
My tips last at least a couple of years before I replace them. The only tips I replace more are the ones for desoldering. Radio Shack also sells one that is cheap, but you will go through tips. I used this unit for many years before I finally decided to spend the money on a good Pace unit.
Hot air units are very nice now, but the tips will kill you. Unless you can get a knockoff of them from China. If you decide to go hot air, get a old board to play with, some tweezers for holding items in place for rework or removal.