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Resistance Soldering

 

Preparing to attach feeders using resistance soldering. The June 2021 Model Railroader article by Allan Gartner is my excellent source of info. Layout is HO with Atlas code 100 track and switches. Allan mentions American Beauty for soldering with 150W to 170W for HO. Have not been able to locate a unit for these wattages.?
Any source(s) for a unit??
Thanks.?

 

Micro-Mark still sells the 250W American Beauty resistance soldering station that I have used for decades.

Now was a great time for you asking your question.? Micro-Mark is having 20% off and free shipping (over $100) right now.

Allan
Wiring For DCC
 

I purchased the American Beauty Resistance Soldering Station from Micro Mark about eight years ago. I used it extensively for soldering Code 100 rail flextrack sections and feeders on an entirely?new layout. Although a bit pricey and skeptical about the name, it was one of the best purchases I have made for model railroad support. Very good quality and easy to use with the foot pedal leaving both hands free. Of course, it serves well for many other soldering applications!

Gary Chudzinski
 

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I should have mentioned something about the name. ?Definitely not a name you would expect for soldering equipment. ?I was first introduced to the American Beauty brand in the 70’s and they were well thought of then. ?I have had mine since the 80’s.

Definitely not cheap. ?If you want to buy one, Micro-Mark is having a 20% off sale right now and free shipping.

Allan

iPhone iTypos iAutocorrect iApologize


On May 23, 2024, at 11:07?AM, Gary Chudzinski via groups.io <chudgr@...> wrote:

?
I purchased the American Beauty Resistance Soldering Station from Micro Mark about eight years ago. I used it extensively for soldering Code 100 rail flextrack sections and feeders on an entirely?new layout. Although a bit pricey and skeptical about the name, it was one of the best purchases I have made for model railroad support. Very good quality and easy to use with the foot pedal leaving both hands free. Of course, it serves well for many other soldering applications!

Gary Chudzinski
 

Thanks.

On 05/23/2024 8:52 AM CDT Gary Chudzinski <chudgr@...> wrote:
?
?
I purchased the American Beauty Resistance Soldering Station from Micro Mark about eight years ago. I used it extensively for soldering Code 100 rail flextrack sections and feeders on an entirely?new layout. Although a bit pricey and skeptical about the name, it was one of the best purchases I have made for model railroad support. Very good quality and easy to use with the foot pedal leaving both hands free. Of course, it serves well for many other soldering applications!
?
Gary Chudzinski

 

Just and aside…I checked the M-M website last night and while the units are marked down from their list price, it appears that all of the 250 watt, 110v units are sold out. 220 volt units are available.
Jim Hodos
 

Allan,

Is 250 Watts really necessary? I see Micromark's own unit has a 63W, 6V/3V transformer.

Does your unit have adjustable power? If so, what setting do you typically use? Do you know how much power that is?

Don W

--
Don Weigt
Connecticut
 

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Hi Don,

?

250 is definitely too much for HO.? I did use the 250 setting for G-scale.

?

Yes, the unit is adjustable.? For HO, I find 160-170W is ideal.?

?

At the time I bought my unit, Micro-Mark also carried a 100W American Beauty unit; which wouldn’t be enough for a quick solder joint.

?

Why 160+ rather than 63W unit?? I find the key is to heat the rail quickly and make my solder joint before the heat travels down the rail and melts more ties.? I find that I can solder a joint in 3-5 seconds.

?

Someone posted yesterday that Micro-Mark is currently out of the 120V input unit.

?

Allan

?

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Don Weigt via groups.io
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2024 10:13 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [w4dccqa] Resistance Soldering

?

Allan,

?

Is 250 Watts really necessary? I see Micromark's own unit has a 63W, 6V/3V transformer.

?

Does your unit have adjustable power? If so, what setting do you typically use? Do you know how much power that is?

?

Don W


--
Don Weigt
Connecticut

 

I have and use a PBL resistance unit.? It is adjustable in 5 steps to a max of 300 watts.?I run it at 300 watts for soldering 18 gauge to wire to rail quickly s for track feeders.? Using that power means the spot to be soldered heats very quickly and the job is done very quickly.? The key to soldering track feeders without melting plastic ties is to take as little time as possible with the heat so that it is not conducted away down the rails resulting in melting.? ?

Dale Gloer
 

Depends on what you're doing. For example, trying to solder together those old Suydam metal building kits with a 100W iron has been futile and frustrating. Those large corrugated metal panels drain all of the heat away. My 300W PBL Hotip unit is much better for work like that. I don't turn the dial all the way up; just about 2/3 or so.


Rick Jones

Keep staring ... I may do a trick.

On 5/24/2024 10:36 AM, Allan AE2V wrote:
Hi Don,
250 is definitely too much for HO.
 

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful replies!


--
Don Weigt
Connecticut
 

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Was just on Micro Mark and saw this. Is it true?

On 05/24/2024 12:13 PM CDT Rick Jones <r.t.jones@...> wrote:
?
?
Depends on what you're doing. For example, trying to solder together
those old Suydam metal building kits with a 100W iron has been futile
and frustrating. Those large corrugated metal panels drain all of the
heat away. My 300W PBL Hotip unit is much better for work like that. I
don't turn the dial all the way up; just about 2/3 or so.
?
?
Rick Jones
?
Keep staring ... I may do a trick.
?
On 5/24/2024 10:36 AM, Allan AE2V wrote:
Hi Don,
?
250 is definitely too much for HO.
?

 

I resistance soldered a few kits together.? I don't remember what setting I settled on, on my 250W resistance station, but it was a lot more than 100W.? I think I used it fairly close to full power.

Allan

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