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Re: Cool Idea

It probably is rosin.  Rosin flux is available in small jars, just like in
the core of the solder.

----------
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
> Subject: RE: Cool Idea
> Date: Thursday, February 03, 2000 1:58 AM
> 
> Original Poster: "Lau, Gary" <Gary.Lau-at-compaq-dot-com> 
> 
> That stuff you use is not rosin, I think it's the same stuff as in acid
core
> solder.  That's fine for plumbing and other big stuff, but fragile
> electronics are potentially damaged by the stuff.  If you're soldering
big
> copper ground straps, fine, but I wouldn't recommend getting it on
circuit
> boards.
> 
> Gary Lau
> 
> 
> >For 30 years I have used a soldering gun and the tip always get covered
> with
> >black stuff that needs to be wiped off with a rag or brushed off with a
> wire
> >brush.  After soldering for a while the solder that clings to the
soldering
> >gun tip gets dark looking and it won't stick to anything.  The tip can
be
> >cleaned and retinned by melting several inches of solder on the tip. 
This
> >wastes solder and makes a mess.
> 
> >I had an idea and decided to see what would happen.  I have a container
of
> >rosin that I bought at the plumbing store.  I stuck the hot top of the
> >soldering gun into the rosin and pulled it back out.  "WOW, I like
that."
> >The rosin melted and washed away all the black stuff on the tip and the
tip
> >lookes like new again. It took only 1 second to dip the tip in the rosin
> and
> >clean it.  It looks like it was retinned with new solder too.
> 
> >The plumbing rosin comes in a metal container 2.5" diameter 3/4" tall
with
> a
> >metal snap on top.  Rosin looks like grease.  It costs about $2.00.  Now
I
> >leave the rosin on top of the work bench all the time. Today while
working
> >on another TC project I dipped the soldering gun tip in the rosin to
clean
> >it and thats when I thought about the TC list.  I thought maybe everyone
on
> >the TC list would be interested in this.  Try it.....it works great.
> >
> >Gary Weaver
>  
> 
>