Solder Tip Cleaning

This may be a useful service tip.

To prevent the PCB from sliding around while I am soldering parts I
place it on a suede leather panel that I had glued onto a sheet of
particle board. The leather doesn't conduct heat, doesn't burn and
any spilled solder is contained within the work spot. The leather is
also lint free and protects the component legs.

I also glued a spare piece of leather on block of wood and use that to
clean my solder pen tips. Leather gives a firm yet resilient surface
to rub off stubbborn oxidized solder without picking up burnt lint or
other gunk. It beats wiping the tip with a cloth or on a damp sponge.

 

The stainless steel 'sponge' seems to do a reasonable job as well (steal one
from the kitchen ;_)

 

This is what I have found to work best. I just stuff a pot scrubber made of
stainless steel into my holder for the iron and I clean the tip every time I
put it in the holder.

Leonard