Keeping the screw in the WH40 soldering iron from getting stuck (again)

[Adam Funk]

A few years ago, I got a Weller WHS40 soldering unit, which was excellent until the tip "decayed". I got some replacements & then discovered the set screw that holds the tip in place was totally frozen. Unfortunately it has a tiny slot in it, & I ended up chewing up the ends of all the screwdrivers that would fit, without success.

I then discovered that the manual recommends loosening the screw frequently to keep it from getting stuck. I also found out from searching the WWW that this is a common problem, & some people recommend replacing the original screw with a hex head screw of the same thread.

I gave up & ordered a new soldering iron (just the iron itself, to plug into the base), which should arrive any day now. I don't want to ruin another one, so...

Should I grease the screw threads with something to prevent sticking (& if so, what) or will anything on the threads end up getting cooked & making it jam up? (Stuff I have in stock in the house includes silicone grease, very old lithium grease, & some copper-based stuff for keeping threads on bike components from freezing, as well as the usual WD40.)

Should I just loosen the screw after every use & store it that way?

Is there any reason not to replace the set screw that goes all the way into the tip-holder with a screw with the same thread but a head (with a hex hole) that will sit outside the tip-holder of the iron?

Thanks, Adam

[Davey]

or others suggested on that page.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

All such screws subjected to extremes of heat will seize eventually. So take the maker's advice and undo/redo once in a while.

No replaceable element?

[Bob Minchin]

+1

[Brian Gaff]

Well, when I could see I had this issue with a Tandy iron, which was probably a badged Weller, and did replace the screw with a hex head, but it still eventually got jammed. I'd imagine the dis similar materials have something to do with this. No type of lubricant I tried did much except make a terrible pong.

If you are disciplined enough to wait for it to cool after use and give it a few turns in and out then I guess this will help but one forgets after a while.

Brian

[Andrew Gabriel]

I use high temperature anti-seize grease on some screw threads which go into the boiler heat exchanger, and that seems to work so that they easily undo when I open it for cleaning every ~4 years or so. It's called Loctite C5-A and comes in a pritt stick dispenser. Claims to work up to 980C. I think it came from BES some time ago.

[tabbypurr]

I'd get a decent iron.

NT

[Dave Plowman (News)]

True. Antex bits simply pull off. No screws. And you can replace the element too - should that fail. So no need to buy a complete new one.

[Adam Funk]

I'll remember that for next time. Oh well.

[harry]

Copaslip.

[Davey]

I think you'll find that that has already been suggested.