Review on Highly Efficient Large Sal Ammoniac Tinning Block - Expert-Grade Solution for Exceptional Results by Anthony Cornelius

A few years ago I bought a 1960's American Beauty 100 watt soldering iron at a trade show for a few dollars. It turned out to be almost new except for the oxidized/corroded tip. The tip was original, with a high quality iron coating, but one side was completely black oxidized and the solder would not stick to it. I heated the iron to operating temperature, melted a dab of solder onto a block of ammonium nitrate and rolled the tip over the block with the dab of solder for about 5 minutes until the oxidation was over and the solder tinned the tip. Like new. There are many videos on YouTube demonstrating this. Many YouTube videos also show how to finish or sharpen the tip. Do not do that. Once the iron coating wears off, the tip will oxidize and wear out much faster. Use ammonia to remove the oxidation without wiping the tip. The fumes given off where the iron heated the ammonia did not appear to be any more harmful than the fumes from regular soldering flux, but of course you should use this product in a well-ventilated work area.