Well, lets face it, my soldering iron has significantly degraded in quality.
It is over 3 years old, and I have a problem. I think one of you guys were against sanding the circuit board before soldering it. I sanded it, because I wanted a fast way to remove the etch-resist after etching, so I used sandpaper.
My Iron is over 30 years old. Usually replace the tip once every year or so and I solder Every Day.
Solvent usually Works Good.
Steel Wool or an SOS Pad, Than RINCE Well in Warm water, is good.
But NEVER SAND IT.
But that didn't make my big problem now, because solder could always flow through properly.
But now, my problem is big. I tried replacing the tip, and grinding the old tip, and I get no success. I'll be lucky if I touch the solder and after 20 seconds of holding the tip on the solder, the solder melts. The solder melts faster after I grind the tip. I also notice that within 20 seconds after the tip is grinded, I have a blackish tip.
Most Tips are Carbon Core with a Steel Plating. Removing that Steel and your tip is USELESS.
I can't remember if my iron is a 30 or 45W one, but I think I need to upgrade to a 45W.
30 Watts is good. 45 Watts may be Too Much for you on smaller traces.
Unless your Really good at Soldering. And it Doesn't sound like it.
Now: Since your in Canada, So am I.
So if you want more good advice, Email or Phone me.
My Website gives my phone number.
I have a gut feeling an iron replacement is necessary.