solder question

[Anonymous]

I am using new code 100 track and have decided to solder all rail joints on my lew layout. My layout consists of both sectional and flex track. I have found a roll of Oatey small diameter solder with a rosin core. What does 95/TIN 5/ANTIMONY mean? This is the only small diameter solder to be found - all the others look entirely too large for hobbyists. Also would I still need a bottle of flux? Thanks for any tips.

[cacole]

That solder is a low temperature version, meaning it melts at a lower temperature than 60/40 lead/tin solder. Since it is resin core, it will be good for soldering track without the need for additional flux.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Tim; The 95/tin refers to the percent of tin in the solder. The 5/antimony is the percent of antimony. Alittle flux helps even though you have a rosin core solder. Also use high heat for a short time. When the flux starts to bubble hit it with the solder. If you have some scrap pieces of track you might want to practice on them abit. The trick is to avoid melting the ties. Also, friend of mine soldered all his track joints and had trouble with expansion kinks. You might want to leave an unsoldred joint every so often to take care of that. By the way I use a paste flux. It stays in place and doesn't run when being applyed.

Paul