---
title: Metcal Blog | Soldering, Desoldering, Electronics Rework Applications, News, Tips and Trends | Tip Life
description: Tip Life | Applications, tips and trends in hand soldering, rework, repair and desoldering.  Metcal is one of the world's leading brands in soldering stations, rework stations, fume extraction and benchtop accessories.
---

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# Metcal Blog

## [Protect your Solder Tip Investment - Introducing Metcal Solder Tip Cleaner](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/protect-your-solder-tip-investment-introducing-metcal-solder-tip-cleaner)

 By [Metcal Marketing](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/metcal-marketing) on Oct 26, 2017 12:07:00 AM

[![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/Metcal%20Products/Tip%20Cleaner/AC-STC-ACTION_Hi_Res.jpg)](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/protect-your-solder-tip-investment-introducing-metcal-solder-tip-cleaner)

Solder tips represent a major part of the total cost of ownership for a soldering system. Your operator's choice of tip, [use of a solder sleeper stand](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand), and the method and frequency of tip cleaning and replacement all can play a part in your solder tip consumable costs.

Topics: [Tip care](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-care) [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) [Tip Cleaner](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-cleaner) [solder tips](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/solder-tips) 

[Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/protect-your-solder-tip-investment-introducing-metcal-solder-tip-cleaner)

## [On Solder Tip Cost and Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/on-solder-tip-cost-and-life)

 By [Ed Zamborsky](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/ed-zamborsky) on Aug 14, 2017 11:17:18 AM

[![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/2017%20Metcal%20Blog/August/SxV%20Series.jpg)](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/on-solder-tip-cost-and-life)

Let’s face it soldering tips and cartridges cost money. And when you combine that with operators forced to solder at 850°F or higher to keep up to speed, those tips are breaking down and costing you a bunch of dollars.  

Topics: [Tip care](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-care) [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) [Soldering Station](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-station) [soldering iron](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-iron) 

[Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/on-solder-tip-cost-and-life)

## [Solder Tip Care Infographic: Do's and Don'ts](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/solder-tip-care-infographic-dos-and-donts)

 By [Metcal Marketing](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/metcal-marketing) on Jun 2, 2017 4:51:44 PM

[![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/Metcal/Solder_Tip_Care_infographic-2017.png)](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/solder-tip-care-infographic-dos-and-donts)

If you take good care of your soldering tips, they'll take care of you and improve your return on investment. [Download this handy solder tip care infographic](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/2017%20Metcal%20Blog/Metcal-Tip-Care-Poster-2017.pdf). 

Topics: [Tip care](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-care) [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) [soldering iron](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/soldering-iron) 

[Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/solder-tip-care-infographic-dos-and-donts)

## [Why You Should Use a Soldering Sleeper Stand](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand)

 By [Robert Roush](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/robert-roush) on Sep 20, 2016 2:27:31 PM

[![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/MX5200.png)](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand)

Solder tip life is a constant discussion among users of hand soldering for almost all applications. Whether you're in production, rework, or R&D, the cost of tips and their longevity impacts the ROI of your overall soldering investment.  While operators almost always want the tip to be hot, hot, hot, and all the time, using a [soldering iron sleep stand](http://www.okinternational.com/hand-soldering-systems/id-WS1/Solder_Workstand_wAuto_Sleep) can significantly improve the life of your solder tips.

When used when the handpiece is idle, a Solder Sleep Stand automatically reduces the power supplied to the hand piece, leading to:

- Reduced idle temperatures
- Slower chemical reactions
- Less inter-metallic formation
- Less de-wetting
- Longer tip life

Take a look at this chart that illustrates the effect of using the sleeper stand for just a few minutes. 

 

 

 

You can see how this can significantly reduce the power consumption as well, meaning for a production environment, it can affect your total ROI.

**Theoretical Example:**

If you have 5 soldering irons each in production using on average 40 watts per hour over an 8 hours day your consumption is:

Topics: [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) 

[Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/why-use-a-soldering-sleeper-stand)

## [Solder Tip Care Infographic](https://info.techcon.com/solder-tip-care-infographic)

 By [Metcal Marketing](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/author/metcal-marketing) on Sep 20, 2016 2:27:12 PM

[![](http://info.okinternational.com/hubfs/Solder_Tip_Care_infographic.png)](https://info.techcon.com/solder-tip-care-infographic)

 

 

 

Topics: [Tip care](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-care) [Tip Life](https://info.techcon.com/metcal/topic/tip-life) 

[Continue Reading](https://info.techcon.com/solder-tip-care-infographic)

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