Semi-OT: Interesting or unusual PC Compatibles? - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

5 Aug 2007

...
   They're
made of copper,  but they're also plated with iron,  and once that 
 plating is gone the copper doesn't last -- it gets pitted,  etc.  On really 
 old stuff I used to file tips,  but not any more...  
 Back in the old days, we used to coat the copper tips with silver 
 (hard) solder (56% silver) to extend the life.  But you need a torch 
 to do that--silver solder melts at about 1100F and requires a special 
 flux. 
For what I believe was a short time back in the mid-late-70's, Weller came out with
gold-flashed
soldering iron tips.  They seemed to last forever and kept a tin like a dream which might
have
been one of the reasons they discontinued them (i.e. tip sales reduced).  Mine might still
be
usable today if they hadn't been lost in one of my trans-national moves (along with a
large
collection of soldering equipment and aids).

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