I have a radio shack soldering iron too. The tip on it was kind of too large for small electronics, and after going through the same trouble to get a smaller part for it, I found one in radio shack of all places, for around $3.00. The tip is small, andthe point is much longer and narrower. The labelling says it is meant for a 15 watt model iron though, so it isn't easy to find if you own, a 30 watt say, because then radio shack will probably tell you they have nothing for that model(which is what happened to me). These are actually Nextech brand by the way, cause in winnipeg, canada the radio shacks are now called 'The Source By Circuit City' and all the stock is branded 'Nexxtech'. but it fits any generic 30 watt non-Weller iron. Ie., anything from Wal Mart, RS, or even Home Depot if they have a cheaper model. They all have a screw type thread for the tips, and this one i described is the only alternate size I've ever seen, apart from the original 30 watt tip which RS usually has.
I had similar trouble with wrong solder type too, and I definately break out sandpaper to clean the tip often, because I read that the solder can also make poorer joints when dirt and burnt junk get mixed in. |
