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SJ-BAZ man
Ditto the points below: heat the joint and touch the solder to the joint.
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Temperature differential will "suck" the solder into the joint, if it is clean. Best if you can to use a rotary brass brush or small file (I like the Gyro's) to at least assure the track rail is clean. Less of a problem with the joiners as they are plated. Use the finest solder available. If you don't have a good electronics store, Radio Shack sells .020" size. Very small and ideal. .032 starts getting big, allowing a lot of solder to flow. Use Rosin core (you need a flux) and try to avoid "Coreless" or solid solder where you have to use brush on flux. While the same, its messy in this scale and archaic. AVOID LEAD FREE as 1) it does NOT whet easy [flow] and 2) EATS the soldering iron tips FAST. You need that plating on the tip to help you transfer the heat. Temperature and tip shape help. You want <<700 degrees and usually a 15 or 25W MAX iron. If the solder "poofs" when touched to the iron, it's TOO hot. It should subtly flow on the joint (a bit faster than butter melting) but not too cool that it takes too much time to heat the joint (and thus melting the ties/sleepers). Metal track gauges like Micro-Trains or Aspen's on either side help heat sink as does a cool wet rag to touch on the rails after. NEVER 'pinch' with needle-nose or other pliers- the soft plastic ties may give to a new permanent set out of gauge. Jeff Merrill SF Bay Area Z Modules "The BAZ BoyZ" -----Original Message-----
From: Z-Bend_Track@... [mailto:Z-Bend_Track@...]On Behalf Of Larry Donsbach Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 9:45 AM To: Z-Bend_Track@... Subject: RE: [Z-Bend_Track] Track soldering questions 1 - Has anyone tried the Cold Heat Soldering Tool for this job? Personally I like a little more control when soldering. The Cold Heat is good for emergencies but not for general use. 2 - Is it best to apply the iron to the tops of the rails or try to hit the side so I'm contacting both rails & the joiner simultaneously? Use a resin flux and heat the joiner and the rail. Let the flux take the solder between the rail and the joiner. 3 - How fine should the solder wire be for best results? Use small diameter solder. It is easier to get to the joint and won't overwhelm the area with solder. 4 - What alloy of solder is best? What I use is not marked with alloy content but any wood electronics solder should do. 5 - Solid core or resin core? I use resin core because I have had a roll of it for years. These are personal preferences. Hope they are a help. Larry D San Antonio SPONSORED LINKS G scale train Ho scale model train Model train n scale G scale model train Ho scale trains N scale trains ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "Z-Bend_Track" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Z-Bend_Track-unsubscribe@... c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- |
