Soldering Switch Frogs

[sabref86e]

What is the best solder alloy composition to use for filling switch frogs?? I am looking for a hard metal that will resist wear from metal wheels (my latest turnouts are built into 42 inch radius curves on a 1.8% grade) and yet conduct electricity to yield a powered frog. Using the theory that silver-bearing solder is tougher than standard 60/40 lead/tin, I tried Radio Shack 96/4 tin/silver, with marginal results. Radio Shack also offers a 62/36/2 formula which contains lead. Does anybody have any experience or thoughts on solder hardness? Thanks.

[dehusman]

Theoretically the wheels should have minimal contact with any solder and be running mostly on the nickle silver rails that make up the frog. I don't know of anybody who's had problems with regular rosin core solder.

Dave H.

[wp8thsub]

I like to use silver bearing plumbing solder; I don't have it handy but I think it's about 96/4 tin/silver. It's harder to carve from the flangeways than 50/50 or 60/40 tin/lead solder, but makes a very solid assembly. I get fewer failures at the point/throwbar connection than with solder containing lead.