answers to your questions. Yes it works. Yes For a one-time job worth buying. Yes, you can get replacement tips for it, tips (DESOL3 replacement tip). Simply unscrew the tip and screw in a new one (DO NOT remove the screws on the side!). You can clean it, yes, by pushing the charge/thumb button forward to the locked position, gently pressing and lifting at the same time, and it comes apart for cleaning. ATTENTION ! IT WILL BE SPREAD, so be careful. Now, like all old-school soldering irons, it takes time to heat up, so patience is required.