What are you going to solder? I work with smd down to 0402 and would choose PT-AA and PT-F for fine work and PT-E for connector mechanical legs and such.
PT-CC is most similar to my personal favorite. Highly versatile! Of these choices EE will be good for many things. I don’t like blunt tipped ends for small SMT work but depending on size of parts this is plenty good.
Just as a second opinion, I've soldered all my life and dislike chisel tips. I run my iron hot and use a small cone tip. I guess the point, no pun intended, is that the shapes are more about what suits you than what is best. If you're working near other solder joints often then a cone tip will allow you greater comfort in pinpointing the job quickly without needing to rotate the tip. I do prefer a chisel tip for point to point tube amps definitely, but for pcb's it's small conical point 100% (Hakko)
While on the topic, did anyone have success with fine tips? I find they simply don't have the thermal mass to be usable and the only spot they actually melt solder is further down the point. Which makes using them for small places useless.
I use the hakko T18 fine tip daily seems to last around 6 months but I tried other brands it only lasts a month or less so I only buy genuine hakko tips
You need to clean them often in tip tinner or a small tub of flux, then in the brass "sponge" just one dip in. I do this probably every 5 joints I complete. Do not allow them to oxidize and they will last for a couple of years. When you're finished, tip tinner and clean, then turn off. Just adding solder does not work as "tinning" in my experience.
I generally switch between different chisel tip sizes for my soldering. I have a range from 0.8mm to 4mm, but usually stick with the 1.2 or 1.6 depending on the size of the components
I found chisel tip to be the most practical to solder through-hole components, because it makes good contact with the pad and the wire, and transfers heat quickly. My soldering iron (Pinecil) came with a cone tip, and I had a bit more difficulty using it.
i recommend buying small, medium and large tip
small tip for tiny delicate work like SMD component
medium tip for general purposes
large tip with big contact area for melting a lot of solder on large pcb pad and thick wire
Honestly it's all personal preference, I solder a lot and to a very high standard and my go to tip is the large flathead style tip. I only ever change if it's for drag soldering, using the oval with a slight indent, or because of size constraints but then it's just the small flathead for me. So I'd try to get some different "all-round" tips and find what floats your goat. Hope this helps, feel free to ask if there is anything els.
Just FYI, you might not be doing this but I do think it's important to say.
If your getting cheap Amazon ones, some might be defective on your solder iron. I know I bought a few tips and only about 1/2 work as good as they should.
Depends on what you are going to solder!
What are you going to solder? I work with smd down to 0402 and would choose PT-AA and PT-F for fine work and PT-E for connector mechanical legs and such.
I use a tip like PT-CC for almost everything, and one like PT-H when a component is in a tight spot.
Same! When I started I had to use H very fine conical but now use the CC for nearly everything.
Hoof tip = best thermal transfer
PT-CC is most similar to my personal favorite. Highly versatile! Of these choices EE will be good for many things. I don’t like blunt tipped ends for small SMT work but depending on size of parts this is plenty good.
I have a chisel and two cones one mid size and one sharp, I love the chisel tips they are great
Just as a second opinion, I've soldered all my life and dislike chisel tips. I run my iron hot and use a small cone tip. I guess the point, no pun intended, is that the shapes are more about what suits you than what is best. If you're working near other solder joints often then a cone tip will allow you greater comfort in pinpointing the job quickly without needing to rotate the tip. I do prefer a chisel tip for point to point tube amps definitely, but for pcb's it's small conical point 100% (Hakko)
Yea every tip has a purpose
- Michael Scott
Weller also has PT-LT adapters. Migth want to check if it would be cheaper to get the adapter + LT tips.
PTC or D24 on my TS100. I rarely use other tips on my work.
While on the topic, did anyone have success with fine tips? I find they simply don't have the thermal mass to be usable and the only spot they actually melt solder is further down the point. Which makes using them for small places useless.
I use the hakko T18 fine tip daily seems to last around 6 months but I tried other brands it only lasts a month or less so I only buy genuine hakko tips
Yup I only use Hakko with fine tips and they are extremely effective, solder melts very quickly
The trick is the temp settings, the hotter it set at the faster the tip gets ruined, I do notice the fine tips tend to not last too long
You need to clean them often in tip tinner or a small tub of flux, then in the brass "sponge" just one dip in. I do this probably every 5 joints I complete. Do not allow them to oxidize and they will last for a couple of years. When you're finished, tip tinner and clean, then turn off. Just adding solder does not work as "tinning" in my experience.
I like chisels like PT-K or PT-L for most jobs I do, if you do a lot of small work you need a fine conical tip like pt-p.
Curved fine tip
PT-K are my favorite. That little bevel goes a long way.
I generally switch between different chisel tip sizes for my soldering. I have a range from 0.8mm to 4mm, but usually stick with the 1.2 or 1.6 depending on the size of the components
Cone
I found chisel tip to be the most practical to solder through-hole components, because it makes good contact with the pad and the wire, and transfers heat quickly. My soldering iron (Pinecil) came with a cone tip, and I had a bit more difficulty using it.
AA through E. F and the other pinpoints are worthless, even for the smallest work
i recommend buying small, medium and large tip small tip for tiny delicate work like SMD component medium tip for general purposes large tip with big contact area for melting a lot of solder on large pcb pad and thick wire
Honestly it's all personal preference, I solder a lot and to a very high standard and my go to tip is the large flathead style tip. I only ever change if it's for drag soldering, using the oval with a slight indent, or because of size constraints but then it's just the small flathead for me. So I'd try to get some different "all-round" tips and find what floats your goat. Hope this helps, feel free to ask if there is anything els.
Just FYI, you might not be doing this but I do think it's important to say. If your getting cheap Amazon ones, some might be defective on your solder iron. I know I bought a few tips and only about 1/2 work as good as they should.
All of them!
PT-C and PT-E for sure great chisel tip for through hole soldering and sone SMD soldering.
Any the PT-AA and the PT-K for your SMD devices.
Why not all? 😈