This online version is provided courtesy of Inland Craft Products, Inc. You can view the complete manual and obtain a PDF version from the "How To" section on the Inland Craft website. 

Iron and Tip Maintenance

The Importance of Proper Care

Your soldering iron may very well be one of your biggest tool investments, so you will want to do everything possible to ensure that it gives you many years of service. Well maintained soldering irons and tips perform better and make the job of soldering much easier. Always place your soldering iron in a stable iron stand whether it is being used or not.

The Cord

• Make sure you plug the iron into the correct type of outlet.
• Try not to use an extension cord. If you must, use a heavy duty one.
• Don't drop or bang the iron. Ceramic heaters are especially easy to crack or break.
• Regularly check the cord for burns or cracks and have a professional electrician replace worn cords before using the iron.
• Make sure that the cord is not hanging in such a way that it can be pulled off of the table.

The Heating Element

• Do not allow the iron to idle at operating temperatures for extended periods. This could burn out the heater element. Unplug the iron or, if you are using a rheostat, turn it down to a low "idle" setting.
• Occasionally, remove the tip and lightly tap the barrel of wire wound heater irons to remove debris.
• If you will not be using your iron for an extended period of time, you may want to store it (after it has fully cooled) in a zipper type bag to protect it from corrosion and humidity.

The Tips

• When you are finished using your iron, remove the tip from the barrel. Removing the tip is essential to preventing "seizing" which can occur if it is left in the iron for extended periods. (If your tip seizes, you can easily damage the heating element trying to remove it. It is best to return you iron to the manufacturer for removal.) When reinserting tips, make sure they are properly seated in the barrel. Never dip your tip into flux in order to clean it. Instead, use a clean damp sponge to wipe all sides of the tip periodically as you solder. Doing this removes impurities the tip has accumulated from the solder and the environment. It will ensure that you are receiving the maximum heat at the tip surface.
• Properly cleaned tips are bright and shiny. If your tip becomes "blackened," you can usually remove the buildup with a wet sponge, a tinning block or by gently using a brass brush. A "tinning block" (sal-amoniac) is used by placing a small amount of flux on the block and rubbing the tip of your hot iron in it. Wipe the tip on a damp sponge to remove debris. You may need to repeat this several times if your tip is very dirty.)
• Never use sandpaper or any abrasive material to clean a tip.
• The best way to minimize your tip maintenance is to find a good quality solder. Use one that has a high tin content and high metal purity.

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