[SEL] American Beauty

[Jim Kirkes]

Hi George,

The better soldering iron tips are iron plated copper and 
then pre-tinned.  The better irons are also thermostatically 
controlled so they don't "idle" nearly as hot which makes 
the tips last a very long time.  Your iron should idle 
around 800 degrees.  Keep it well tinned and clean it should 
be ok for you. Avoid leaving it on doing nothing for long 
periods of time.

As a tip you can clean the tinned tip by giving it wipe 
across a damp sponge.

Jim

Jim and Diane Kirkes
jd.kirkes at verizon.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Best, George" <George_Best at adp.com>
To: "The SEL email discussion list" 
<sel at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 7:39 AM
Subject: [SEL] American Beauty


Was in a second hand store this weekend and bought an 
American Beauty 300w soldering iron for $3.  Unfortunately 
it was missing the tip, but when I plugged it in to test it, 
it did heat up.  You can still buy new American Beauty 
soldering irons and replacement tips, but the new 
replacement tip for the 300w one is around $50 plus 
shipping.  I'm thinking of just taking a piece of 7/8" C100 
copper rod and making my own tip.  I know a pure copper tip 
won't last as long, but should still work.

Anyone on the list have one of these big soldering irons? 
Also any comments on just using some C100 copper to make a 
tip?

George