Do you use flux core solder? If you do. Try to use liquid or paste flux if you are going to rework a joint.

LOL!

yes, I do have solder wick ...which does work well for small amounts of solder and has suited my needs. I am good w/ not over doing it w/ the solder.

I did go back to my cheapo iron and noticed that it is the tip that has gone bad from use over the past 10yrs. I did a real good clean up job on it and notice that some areas have the coating missing from the tip ...I tested it out and the areas where the coating is still intact heats up as it should.

In any case, I already purchased the TrakPower station (which I can't wait to get my hands on ...I have quite a few soldering jobs lined up)! I'll keep my cheapo and get a new tip for it. ..use it for non RC jobs ...or just give it to goodwill or something. Dont' see the sense in throwing it out.

yes, I use trakpower and Hudy brand solder ...I believe both are flux core. And I do use paste flux ..have for years, -its works well to get the solder to flow where you want it.

Thank you for all the help, I received my TrakPower 950 iron station, and used it this past weekend. It is so nice to be able to set the temp' and have an iron that works so well. Makes soldering 110% easier than w/ my $15 cheapo iron.
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In retrospect and now that I have used a better quality iron I feel that the problem w/ the $15 iron I was using was its ability to keep a constant temperature (which cheap ones can't usually do well). Also my tip isn't in as good of condition as it should have been.

That's great to hear bud it's amazing what a difference a good solder kit can make.