Clean the tip when it’s cool. Examine it. If it’s pitted, chipped, or not the proper point anymore, replace it. Heat it up. If it doesn’t tin well, replace it. I go thru about 2 or 3 fine tips a year, only because of I’m doing a lot of surface mount soldering, I like having a fresh clean tip. Kinda like sharpening a pencil before starting a new big project. The bigger chisel tips for larger wire hook ups like power connections, I’ve gone thru maybe 3 of those over the last 20 years
Depends on how often you’re using it and what you’re doing. If you’re just doing small projects here and there, a good tip can last you a really long time. But if you’re doing heavy-duty work, you’ll probably have to replace it more often.
I try to keep mine in good shape with a brass cleaner and by tinning it every time I use it. I’ve had some tips last me for a couple of years that way, while others get ruined in a few months if I’m not careful. It’s all about how you maintain it.
I usually replace mine when the tip gets black and crusty and I can’t clean it anymore. A good tip can last for months if you take care of it, but a bad one can go pretty fast.
It really depends on how you use it and how well you take care of it. If you’re using it for delicate work on electronics and you’re always tinning the tip and cleaning it with a brass wool, it can last for a year or even longer. But if you’re working on something heavier with a lot of heat, or you’re not careful about keeping it clean, a tip can get corroded and pitted in just a few weeks. It’s all about maintenance. I always have a few spare tips on hand just in case.
I always buy the nicer soldering irons with true various tips. But because I don’t solder very often, I can never find it when I need it. So I end up buying a new one.
Clean the tip when it’s cool. Examine it. If it’s pitted, chipped, or not the proper point anymore, replace it. Heat it up. If it doesn’t tin well, replace it. I go thru about 2 or 3 fine tips a year, only because of I’m doing a lot of surface mount soldering, I like having a fresh clean tip. Kinda like sharpening a pencil before starting a new big project. The bigger chisel tips for larger wire hook ups like power connections, I’ve gone thru maybe 3 of those over the last 20 years
Depends on how often you’re using it and what you’re doing. If you’re just doing small projects here and there, a good tip can last you a really long time. But if you’re doing heavy-duty work, you’ll probably have to replace it more often.
I replace mine when it’s not taking solder as well anymore or when it gets too corroded. I try to keep it clean, but they just wear out over time.
I try to keep mine in good shape with a brass cleaner and by tinning it every time I use it. I’ve had some tips last me for a couple of years that way, while others get ruined in a few months if I’m not careful. It’s all about how you maintain it.
I usually replace mine when the tip gets black and crusty and I can’t clean it anymore. A good tip can last for months if you take care of it, but a bad one can go pretty fast.
It really depends on how you use it and how well you take care of it. If you’re using it for delicate work on electronics and you’re always tinning the tip and cleaning it with a brass wool, it can last for a year or even longer. But if you’re working on something heavier with a lot of heat, or you’re not careful about keeping it clean, a tip can get corroded and pitted in just a few weeks. It’s all about maintenance. I always have a few spare tips on hand just in case.
I always buy the nicer soldering irons with true various tips. But because I don’t solder very often, I can never find it when I need it. So I end up buying a new one.