Does a liquid solder/glue exist that is conductive in low voltage circuits? I occassionally run into a situation where something like this would be very handy in lieu of using a traditional solder gun and solder.
Or, as an alternative...a liquid/paste solder that can be applied to a joint and then hit with a soldering iron to lock it into place.
Side note....I know how to solder very well but I have shaky hands and I sometimes would like an alternative to traditional solder
Paul D
N scale Washita and Santa Fe RailroadSouthern Oklahoma circa late 70's
I don't have a picture handy, but Google silver bearing soldering paste. I've used it, recomended to me by a member in here, Frank (Zstrip).
Mike.
My You Tube
One source for solder paste is MicrMark: https://www.micromark.com/Silver-Bearing-Solder-7-1-Grams .
Joe
Thanks. I think that silver solder paste will do what I want.
PED Does a liquid solder/glue exist that is conductive in low voltage circuits?
Does a liquid solder/glue exist that is conductive in low voltage circuits?
Yes. I searched for "conductive epoxy" and found this, very quickly:
https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Two-Part-Conductive-Adhesive/dp/B008UH4DB2
If you have another favorite "sticky substance", just do a search for it including the word "conductive".
Or, as an alternative...a liquid/paste solder that can be applied to a joint and then hit with a soldering iron to lock it into place. Side note....I know how to solder very well but I have shaky hands and I sometimes would like an alternative to traditional solder
The same holds for "solder paste" (which is normally a goo made up of solder and flux). I just did a search for that, and it's HIGHLY available. There's various versions, such as the old standard tin/lead, and there's lead free. Yuk.
Anyway, there's plenty out there for you to try out. I recommend a bit of practice before you use it for real.
Oh, yes: another way to spend your money. I have a resistance soldering rig. What's neat about this is that you can use it to hold things together before heating them up. For example, I can use it to hold a wire onto a rail, hit the heat switch and apply solder, turn it off (quickly), wait a second and I'm done. All the while, my "holding" hand is just pushing the probe. And my soldering hand is available to apply solder. Thus, I don't need a third hand. Which I do not have.
Ed
Silver epoxy seems a bit more pricy than the silver solder paste so I will try the silver paste first.
I also have a resistance soldering rig from MicroMart and it works well ...especially at attaching feeders to track. However, it would probably fry some of the very small connections I have in mind.
Solder paste is great for "I need this to be tacky until I can melt it" applications -- but if you're looking for a "no heat" solution, it should not be used, as the volatiles will flash off in about 48-72 hours, and then you're left with lead dust all over the table.
If you're doing things like resistor wheelsets, or similar "I can't use heat" applications, conductive paint or similar is the correct approach.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
All I can say is I have use solder paste and use a Weller WLC-100 solder station with fine tip point. I hold the pencil iron with both hands as I can shake and hit the solder paste quickly. The paste liquickfies fast. Done. Takes some practice. I use to keep my elbows against my waist.
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.