How fast do the tip wears off? Since the tip is almost the same price as the iron I want to know how fast will it need to be replaced.
904166
I've used this iron off and on for several months and I see no wear on the tip. I wouldn't sweat the tip, it's the short battery life that is the biggest drawback.
904167
Depends on your usage. .. if you use 2 hours daily maybe can lasts for year or 2 ... but issue with battery more rechargeable batteries can use 2 hour continues but as you cant store for 2 days even every time you need use you need recharge batteries its painful for me... and normal batteries will cost you each time and not usage long on heating time. .. soo i use my normal solder more rather then this. .. but works ok all... but not worth to buy coz something you feel irritate to use its worthless... hope my answer will help you some.. thanks
223681
I have had this iron for 6 years. I did have to replace the cap to the water chamber. Other then that going strong. Let me also add that I iron everything. Bed sheets, sweat pants, kids pj's ... I used to go through irons every 1-2 years. This came recommended to me and I'll just cry if it ever dies. I love it! Worth every penny
963245
I can't tell you for sure without seeing the iron but the tips are pretty much standard sizes. If you have an iron that says it accepts 1/4" tips then the majority off the time any 1/4" tips will fit. Most tips are held in by a sort of twist-lock type device so there is a little variance in the receiving size of the iron but not much. If the iron says it takes 3/16" tips, a 1/8" or 1/4" tip will not work. Hope this helps!
990191
Like all things, it depends on how much you use it. Mine has a spot where the fabric has worn away to the rubber tip, so a replacement is in the near future.
796307
Just pulled mine out of the shipping box, only to find out the tip is HUGE for any SMD work. More of a general tip, and even for that it is not small. If I end up keeping it I need to buy smaller tip right away.
805028
I'm not sure; I've never used the replacement tips. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
1634407
Hello, Thank you for your message. Sometimes the new irons are shipped directly from Quality Control, and a bit of solder remains on the tip after being tested. The units that we ship are brand new from the manufacturer. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance. Regards, Customer Service
843440
I do not know. I was not exactly happy with the iron, It seemed defective upon arrival and it went back. My father was an Engineer for Plato Products. The largest manufacturer of Soldering tips. They can help. The URL: http://www.newark.com/plato --- Of note, I have Or had until some stole my Weller Soldering Station and all my Plato Tips. Plato Tips worked much better than cheap Generic. Last, I believe these tips are for the Elenco Soldering Station. http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-Electronics-TIPK-1-Soldering-Package/dp/B0002LLW7C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391987504&sr=8-2&keywords=soldering+station+elenco Sold by and shipped by Amazon.
72015
That happened to me when I first started using the iron. I find that if I turn it to Off for just a few seconds and turn it on again, it works properly and consistently. The longer I use it, the better I like it.
1613838
Here's a link to the replacement tip, but it costs more than just buying the scribe tool. I recommend buying another scribe tool. http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-Instruments-88P-Replacement/dp/B00004T7S2/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1424669654&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=General+Tools+%26+Instruments+88CM+Tungsten+Carbide+Scriber+and+Magnet+replacement+tip
943539
I bought this iron in october and like two days later it broke.. then in a store they told it was fake, so maybe thats why your iron stop heating.
536709
Thank you SO much! You just saved me a ton of time researching. It really is amazing that both irons are virtually the same. I appreciate you posting this!
1839995
I used to feel the need to replace it earlier than recommended ( once per 4-6 weeks) but the water in me area is pretty hard. ( i could definitely tell the difference as far as taste of the water and hair fall is concerned when I replaced it. I'm not sure about the iron...
1445568
Most irons will usually last a very long time when used in a hobby but if you use it several hours daily for business then it won't last as long. The unit comes with a spare heat element and I would not purchase another until the one in the iron gores out. I have three irons, a high wattage gun iron, a small low wattage pencil and this iron. So depending on the item you are working on you may need another iron. I'm now looking for a small butane blow torch which I'd useful for heat shrinking tubing.
1693590
Look at the Gerson Institute web pages for how often. They recommend cleaning the tip with hydrogen peroxide.
304111
I'm on my second one but my first lasted me well over a year before dying for reasons that I was never able to figure out though it happened shortly after a flight so I suspect maybe something could have happened to it when it was in my luggage. If this one does the same, I'll still buy another one because I've /never/ been able to get anywhere near the results from any other flat iron on the market that I've used before and I've tried, no joke, 15 of them. My hair stylist has one and has had the same one for over 3 years so I think it may have alot to do with how you handle it, clean it and store it if you travel with it.
2215339
I replaced mine after having the 1st for almost 2 years of daily use. It was still in excellent condition except that the bristles weren't as stiff. I used the brush mainly for exfoilating prior to shaving my legs so I wanted stiffer bristles. It would have still been fine as a general body/back brush. Replacement time would vary depending on how stiff you like the bristles to be, probably every 1-3 years.