I was at my local hardware store and saw a product called liquid solder. Anyone ever use this? Does it work? I am using sub-mini toggles on my control panel and it can get pretty busy trying to get a soldering iron in there. thanks
It might flow on as a liquid, but would still need the heat from a soldering iron to properly tack wiring to a switch or other item.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
There are a couple of types of liquid solder conductive and non-conductive. The non-conductive type is not suitable for electrical connections. The conductive type may work but I don't think that I would want to try it on my wiring. If you do try some let us know how it goes.
Joe
The conductive sort is basically glue with metal particles in it to be conductive. It's NOT a substitute for proper soldering. I'm not even sure what this would even possibly be used for (the conductive sort), in fact I can think of situations where it would be downright dangerous - like 'soldering' house wiring connections. It's not as conductive as wire/regular soder, so introduces resistence, which translates into heat, the more current, the more heat. Not inside my walls, thank you. Now, for 'soldering' pieces of metal together to make stained glass or something - absolutely useful. Or maybe building one of those old Suydam metal kits, or attaching details to a brass loco. Though how this differs from CA or epoxy, I don't know.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You can get conductive epoxies that work better than solder, two problems expensive and no instant set, can take a day or more to set up. Positive is they can be more conductive than solder.
Hi!
So called "liquid solder" has been around for at least 55 years. Frankly, as I learned back then, its a waste of money, messy and undependable.
If you are going to solder, do it the heat and melt way............
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
The only liquid solder I would even consider is a mixture of non-acid liquid flux and finely powdered 63-37 solder. It still requires the application of a soldering tool (hot) to work.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Get a long thin tip for your iron.
Jim
I like this idea.
It seems like it would beat chopping fine solder wire into tiny little pieces.
Solder paste. I have done multiple lead chips slathering on solder paste. Touch the tip to each chip terminal using the fine point solder tip. The solder almost instantly flows and then a thin coating of flux is left. I use an acid brush with some alcohol to clean up the excess flux. Many home users of electronic circuits have been doing this for some years.
The only critics are usually those who have never tried it.
Some use a toaster oven set at the proper temp to do the same thing.
Below is only one link from a search for, smd solder paste.
The same can be applied to other types of soldering projects. We all have an imagination. Use it.
PC board manufacturers have been using solder paste for many years.
http://www.zeph.com/smd_solder_process.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I've used liquid solder before. It works OK, but it needs to be heated longer than regular solder to drive off the flux and make a solid bond. It's helpful if you need to hold a given wire in place before you solder it because of its viscosity, but I've found that a pair of hemostats and normal resin-core solder work better.
Good luck with your control panel.
S&S
Modeling the Pennsy and loving it!