
These Weller tips are excellent. They have an iron coating that absorbs solder but does not dissolve in it, allowing the tips to hold their shape for a long time. However, once you've worn off the iron plating and exposed the copper, it quickly begins to disintegrate and you'll need a new tip quickly. The whole concept of controlling the temperature of the tip by turning the iron on and off with a piece of metal at the back end of the tip that's curie point is caused to reach the desired temperature is extremely clever. The piece of metal loses its magnetic properties at this Curie point and the magnetic switch in the handle of the iron cuts the power supply to the heating element. Pretty elegant solution from a long time ago.