[POLL] Soldering tip help - what size?

[tracer03]

My soldering iron has a standard conical tip, and I'm struggling to get good clean solder joints. In the past (as in a LOOONG time ago) I had better luck using chisel tips for soldering, but I've never used them on stripboard, only larger etched PCBs. I've done okay so far, but I am starting to get frustrated, so I'm going to switch to a chisel and see how it goes.

I'm using standard pitch stripboard (such as you would buy at Tayda - 2.54 mm ) so I'm not sure how wide of a chisel tip to get. I can get my hands on 0.8 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.6 mm and 2.4 mm. I've got a feeling that 2.4 MM might be too big, and the 1.6 MM would be what I'm looking for to get cleaner joints.

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Craig

What size chisel tip should I get?

0.8 mm

1.2 mm

1.6 mm

2.4 mm

Other

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[Beaker]

I don't think there's an easy answer - too many variables.

It depends on your irons' Wattage, the temperature you run it at,  how quickly it heats back up between joints, how long it holds heat, the type of solder you are using, even the diameter of solder you are using, and finally personal preference.

I can only suggest you buy a few and see what works best for you.

[tracer03]

Yeah, sorry - I suppose that would be helpful information...

This is the soldering station I use: https://www.circuitspecialists.com/75-Watt-CSI-Soldering-Station.html

The direct replacement tips are shown here: https://www.circuitspecialists.com/solderingtips/page-2 - but I do know that the iron does take most replacement style tips (Hakko, Tenma, etc.)

I generally use NTE Kester 63/37 rosin core solder, 0.031" dia.

[Silver Blues]

I use a 1.6mm chisel on my Weller WP35. I used to use a conical tip (which I thought worked just fine) but yes the chisel is better for stripboard and the like (although I still prefer the cone for dense work).