Tip stuck on my soldering iron

[James003]

I have a Team Checkpoint TC-950 soldering iron. I went to change tips and the one on there now is stuck and I can't get it off. I'm afraid to pull to hard and cause damage.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[KBrog]

I almost had the same problem. I just gave mine a small bump in the palm of my hand and the tip came off. When the tip came off it looked like it had ash inside of it. That may be what is holding yours on. You may be able to put a drop of water or oil on it to free it up, then dry it and clean it before pluging it back in. Thats just a guess though. I dont have any real know how on the subject. Without knowing for sure, its something I would probably try myself.

[ROCKEDUP RICKY]

push it in a little then pull.

[James003]

tried both the above and neither worked. Funny thing is it spins freely, just won't pull off....GRRRRR!!!

[iamsuperbleeder]

when all else fails, get a bigger hammer

that's kinda why I just use cheapo irons... I've bought a few expensive ones in the past, only to have them eventually fail in some way, shape, or form... now it's just the $20-$30 ones for me; they seem to last as long for me as much as I fire them up

[James003]

did some more research and I guess it gets a build up under the tip that causes them to get stuck.

You're supposed to take the tip off after each use or atleast loosen it. I missed that part when I bought it.

It works just fine, I just can't use the smaller tip. I'll probably just send it in if I can once I hear back from Team Checkpoint.

[opek]

I would give it the old locking pliers challenge before giving up!