I've got a Weller 60W soldering iron and I'm using rosin core solder, but it takes over 30 seconds for the solder to actually melt when I try to apply it to my pins. I'm holding the iron against the solder, so I'm not sure what's going wrong. Is my soldering iron faulty, or am I doing something wrong? I keep the iron plugged in for extended periods while I work on my projects, so I don't think it's burnt out. Any advice would be appreciated since I'm still new to soldering!
1 Answer
It shouldn't take that long for solder to melt—more like just a couple of seconds! You might have some oxidation on your soldering iron's tip, which can really affect how well it transfers heat. Keeping the tip clean is key. Using flux can help too, as it improves the flow of the solder and helps minimize oxidation.
Thanks for the tip! I've heard about cleaning the tip—do you think I can still salvage mine, or is it time for a new one?