A baby turtle was standing at the bottom of a large tree and with a deep sigh, started to climb. About an hour later, he reached a very high branch and walked along to the end. He turned and spread all four flippers and launched himself off the branch. On landing at the bottom in a pile of soft, dead leaves, he shook himself off, walked back to the bottom of the tree and with a sigh started to climb.About an hour later, he again reached the very high branch, walked along, turned, spread his flippers and flung himself off the branch. Again, he landed on the bottom, shook himself off, went to the bottom of the tree, sighed and started climbing. Watching these proceedings from the end of the branch were two little birds. Mummy bird turned to Daddy bird and said, "Don't you think it's time we told him he was adopted?"
(No turtles were harmed in the making of this joke)
Plug it in to heat it up, then rub tip on block of Sal Ammoniac and damp sponge. Not a soaking wet sponge, as a certain rebel was doing which can cause grief to your iron’s tip. Unplug and let the iron cool. Once cool to the touch, loosen and remove the nut near the top of the iron. Remove the iron tip from the shaft. Replace the tip and tighten the nut. This will prevent the nut from becoming heat welded to the threads on the iron shaft over time.
Drain off the water. Scoop out all the ground up glass with a putty knife and scrape it into a old plastic container. Loosen and remove the grinder bit and wash it to remove any tiny glass bits. Soak your grinder sponge in a small cup of water to let all the glass bits fall out. Wipe a thin coat of vaseline on the grinder shaft, and replace the grinder bit.
Replace any of the sponges if they are starting to fall apart. They are cheap but vital parts. Follow these guidelines, and your tools will be ready and waiting for you when the weather cools off in the fall and you get the itch to get back in your stained glass workshop and create a masterpiece!
Spray the tip with a shot of WD-40, or dab it with some cutter oil. Take a fine pin and dig out any gunk in that narrow slot behind the cutter wheel.