My new soldering station...

[David Root]

I use a 1/16" wide chisel, and a sharpened pencil tip, one in each of my Weller WES51s.

700 deg F except when I'm doing semiconductors, drop to 550.

Cardas Quad Eutectic solder.

[Cliff Schecht]

For tube amps I use 700 min, closer to 850 if I'm doing grounding to a chassis or other large steel surface (back of pots and such). You can't keep things hot as long with the higher heat but if you properly flux the work the solder should flow a bit quicker and make it where stuff doesn't need to be heated too long.

[vibratoking]

I use one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Metcal-Soldering- ... 146&sr=1-2

Almost instantaneous heating. They can be expensive...I won't tell you how much I paid for mine used.

I also love this:
http://www.amazon.com/Weller-Tinner-Act ... B0019V1GO8

Great stuff.

I use a sponge for what it is worth. I don't like the brillo pad thingy.

[Cliff Schecht]

Yeah I won't use the Brillo pads, they don't get the overcooked lead off of the tip. Clean and wet sponge all the way.

And you knew posting a Metcal that it was out of all of our price range. Shame on you for making us GAS at a soldering iron..

It's always nice to sit down to a Metcal when you can, I occasionally borrow one from the lab when I have to do meticulous work. The nice thing is they not only get hot instantly but will keep pumping out juice on ground planes and such until everything is hot enough to solder on. Very effective soldering stations for a premium price..

And the tip tinning stuff is nice too, especially if you have the little automatic tip cleaner dealies (the two brushes spinning on a motor units). Helps keep tips working like they are new.

[vibratoking]

OK Cliff, you got me.

Sorry for flaunting my Metcal.

[Aurora]

That tip tinner/cleaner is just the thing I was referring to.... works great!

[Structo]

Anybody have a link to the spinning tip cleaner thingy?

[Drumslinger]

spinning tip cleaner thingy?

[TheGimp]

I inherited this precision soldering iron from my dad (rip).

It is great for removing can caps.

[selloutrr]

I'd hate to be on the wrong end of that.

[Structo]

Hehehehe, I got one similar that used to belong to my dad.

Solder melts in fear when I drag that thing out!