Lead on Lead-Free iron tip

[warmage]

Helloz,

i got a Hakko fx888 with lead-free tip , and i got tips from ebay that are lead-free , can i use lead wire core on them

i dont use lead-free at all , and i cant find any Lead tips anywhere

i use Lead 60/40 and kester 44, 63/37

[Psi]

I'm pretty sure you can use lead-free tips with lead solder without issue.

If working with both types you ideally want a separate tip for each, but most people don't bother and just make sure to clean the tip between uses.

[warmage]

So its safe to use lead on it , as long as i dont mix it with lead-free (which i dont have or plan to use)

[Psi]

I'm not 100% sure, but I've never specifically purchased "lead tips" for lead soldering.
And i've never had any issues.

In fact, most of the time the tips don't say lead or lead-free at all.

I'm sure someone else will know for sure.

[nanofrog]

Yes you can use the lead-free tips for lead alloys. 

I'd recommend rinsing them with a lead alloy solder first before actually soldering anything first though (keep applying leaded solder for awhile, to "rinse" off the lead-free alloy that it was tinned with during manufacture). The purpose of this, is to keep from getting some unknown alloy with properties that could cause problems on the first joints you make. Doesn't take long, and is easy to do.

[warmage]

Thanks for the info and help

[ConKbot]

Yes you can use the lead-free tips for lead alloys. 

I'd recommend rinsing them with a lead alloy solder first before actually soldering anything first though (keep applying leaded solder for awhile, to "rinse" off the lead-free alloy that it was tinned with during manufacture). The purpose of this, is to keep from getting some unknown alloy with properties that could cause problems on the first joints you make. Doesn't take long, and is easy to do.

From the nasa hand soldering training Ive attended, "rinsing" 3 times is enough to get the alloy of the tip nice and homogenous with the 63/37 or 60/40 youre using. Just wipe all the solder off the tip you can, add a nice big blob, repeat.


It wasnt in the training manual, but the professor seemd old and crusty enough to know his stuff inside and out and backwards.

(  found a .pdf of the workbook for anyone interested. good technique, not always appliciable for "normal" electronics )