Soldering station question

[Timko]

If you have noticed in the questions thread, I have had a nightmare of a time with my Giant Hogweed board.  After looking at some of my previous builds, especially from the first year, I noticed that my solder joints looked much smaller and cleaner.  So I wanted to ask some questions about solder stations, tips, and irons.

This is the soldering station I own (except mine is a 75 watt version which they don't make anymore):
https://www.circuitspecialists.com/60_Watt_Soldering_Station.html

And I use this tip:
https://www.circuitspecialists.com/kd-m-b.html

Are tips something that need replaced from time to time?  Do I need to replace the entire iron extension from time to time?  I noticed that when I unscrew the tip, the ceramic (I think) white part underneath looks a little brown. 

I've contemplated replacing my entire station, but I haven't come up with a good reason to do it.  Until I do, I fig

[Timko]

I ask about a new station because after re-working the last 3 pedals I started (this Hogweed, then the L5 and the Twin Peaks), I'm really considering getting some sort of reworking station, perhaps like this:

https://www.circuitspecialists.com/Hot-Air-Soldering-Station-Power-Station-Plus.html

[jimilee]

At some point the tips may not transfer heat evenly.


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[zombie_rock123]

Ive used this iron for four years - http://images.maplinmedia.co.uk/maplin-50w-mains-solder-station.jpg?w=283&h=283&r=4&o=ItcmmY0b7zCQAi4OwNvjIKNrwKEj&V=8e9d
And replacing the tip every few months does help massively. I know Id be much better off with a low end, better quality station but it still gets hot to smoosh solder into fistfulls of components so Im happy for now. I do always check threads for recommendations of irons & stations though..

[Aleph Null]

At some point the tips may not transfer heat evenly.

+1 to this. A new tip can make a huge difference. Also it's the cheapest and easiest thing to start with.

[Timko]

Thanks guys!  I'll be trying to change the tip more often from now on!

[kgull]

Looks like a Hakko 936 knock-off, most of which have a super common tip size. You should be able to purchase any tip that fits a Hakko 936 (900M tip) or 888 (T18 tip, a drop in replacement for the 900M). Hakko sells tips on Amazon and there are also a bunch of off-brand tips out there as well. I like the genuine Hakko tips personally (feel like they last longer and heat better than the cheap ones) but there's a whole bunch of options out there.

[bluescage]

I think a hot air desoldering station is best for SMD parts, for through hole parts I think a desoldering station which operates with vacuum is better. Something like this: http://www.ebay.nl/itm/ZD-915-Desoldering-Station-Iron-Gun-230V-140w-/291935511733. (which is BTW not available at the moment, but maybe you can find another supplier who sells something simular)

[reddesert]

Tips should be replaced when they don't tin or hold solder well. Cheap tips seem not to last as long, probably because the plating is lower quality.  The pencil unit itself may last almost forever.

IME, if you leave the iron on for long times, the tip can overheat (especially with cheap tips). Someday I will get a variable power or temp controlled soldering station. Right now, I have my iron on a switched cord so it is easy to turn on and off.

I think a 75 watt iron is more than necessary for PCBs - I use a 40w pencil right now and have used 20-30w (I use leaded solder, while the lead free stuff needs more heat).  The hot air type reflow stations are intended for soldering SMD boards.

[Timko]

Good to know on the hot air stations.  I'm ordering one of the Hakko tips today (https://www.amazon.com/Hakko-T18-BL-Soldering-FX-8801-Conical/dp/B00762AGTA/ref=sr_1_3?srs=2593162011&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1492115957&sr=8-3&keywords=t18&refinements=p_85%3A1), and I'm hoping it fits.  Thanks for all of the information.  I was thinking I needed to upgrade my entire station because of the sloppy soldering I was seeing lately, but this is a much cheaper starting point!