TrainManTy wrote: I've been soldering my track recently in preperation for an operating session, and I found that it is almost impossible without applying rosin flux (available at RadioShack for $6.59) to the joint first. It's a lot easier, and soldering makes a huge differance in smooth operation. Good luck!
I've been soldering my track recently in preperation for an operating session, and I found that it is almost impossible without applying rosin flux (available at RadioShack for $6.59) to the joint first. It's a lot easier, and soldering makes a huge differance in smooth operation.
Good luck!
Yep...ya gotta have flux!
The flux not only cleans, but helps transfer heat to the material being soldered.
I use a liquid rosin flux rather than the paste. It's sold by Specialty Race Tires for slot cars.
Rotor
Jake: How often does the train go by? Elwood: So often you won't even notice ...
Clean the area to be soldered. Some folks use flux or soldering paste for this (not acid), I use a wire brush on a dremel. Put the soldering iron on the rail joiner against the rails. Touch the solder where the joiner meets the rails and it should melt and draw Towards the heat. 40w should be plenty. Your problem is likely dirty materials and possibly, the iron tip.
The iron also needs to be tinned. A damp sponge (or paper towel) Not soaking and dripping, but damp. Wipe the tip on the sponge and place some of the solder on the tip. Repeat a couple times until the tip is nice and shiney. Dirty materials and iron will lead to exactly the frustration you are experiencing.
Good luck.
So I started soldering my first sections of track this weekend. The excitement builds as I'm finally laying my first track.
I've read that it should take only a second or two of holding the soldering iron against the flextrack in order to melt the solder. So I did. . . nothing. 5 seconds. . . nothing. 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds. . . solder won't melt. I switch the multi-watt iron from 20 watts to 40 watts and let it heat up. 30 seconds on the track again and the 60/40 solder won't melt when I touch it to the track.
Out of curiosity (can't resist at this point, can I??) I touch the solder to the iron and it instantly liquifies into a fine mess.
I was holding the iron to the top of the rails and the solder right below it. Any thoughts on what I'm doing wrong?
I'm DYING to lay track and post some pictures. . . I'm so close. . . please help!