RND 560‐00155 Soldering Station
7
CARE OF TIPS
Caution:
The soldering iron can reach very high temperatures. Be sure to turn the unit off prior to carrying out any
maintenance or trouble shooting steps listed below.
IMPORTANT
Remove the tip and clean after moderate to heavy use or at least daily for light usage. Remove any loose build up
in the tip retaining assembly to prevent tip freezing.
The solder tips supplied are iron clad cooper and if used properly, they should maintain optimum life.
1.
Always tin the tip before returning it to the holder, turning off the station, or storing it for long periods of time.
Wipe the tip on a brass cleaner prior to use.
2.
Keeping the iron set at high temperatures (more than 400
Ԩ
will shorten tip life.
3.
Do not use excessive pressure to the tip or rub the joint with the tip while soldering; it does not improve the
heat transfer and may damage the tip.
4.
Apply solder to the joint, not the tip when soldering. The flux is naturally caustic and thus will eat away the tip.
5.
Never clean the tip with a file or abrasive materials.
6.
Do not use fluxes which contain chloride or acid. Use only rosin or resin activated fluxes.
7.
If an oxide film forms on the tip, it can be removed by careful buffing with a 600‐800 grit emery cloth,
isopropyl alcohol or equivalent and then wrapping rosin core solder around the newly exposed surfaces. Coat
the tinned areas with rosin‐core solder after the resin‐core has melted.
NEW TIPS
Applying the following steps will lead to optimum life.
1.
Set temperature to min. then turn the main power switch to the “ON” position.
2.
Set temperature to 250
Ԩ
(482
Ԭ
).
3.
Coat the tinned surfaces with rosin‐core solder after reaching 250
Ԩ
(482
Ԭ
).
4.
Set to desired temperature after allowing the unit to idle at 250
Ԩ
for 3 minutes.
5.
The iron will be ready for use once it reaches the preset temperature.
IMPORTANT:
Remove and clean the tip daily. If a new tip is installed, remove any loose build up in the barrel assembly,
otherwise the tip may fuse to the heating element or retaining barrel.
MAINTENANCE
TIP MAINTENANCE AND DRESSING
Tips can be changed or replaced simply by unscrewing the knurled nut barrel assembly. The station must be
switched off and allowed to cool before this operation as damage may result if the system is left on without the tip
in place!
After removing the tip, blow out any oxide dust that may have formed in the tip retaining area of the barrel. Be
careful to avoid getting this dust in your eyes. Replace the tip and screw back the knurled nut barrel assembly
using only firm hand pressure to tighten. Pliers should only be used to tighten the nut to avoid burning your
fingers, but care should be taken not to over‐tighten as this could damage the element.