Show me your tips

[vernon1]

I haven't touched a soldering iron in 30 years or more and didn't do that much of it back than so I know I need to develop my skills here. 1st attempt was worst than I expected milted ties solder didn't flow into the joiner stayed on the rail. I do now my iron is wrong I just read macrailer advice so going to get the welder soldering station. Here is the question what tip to use so show me your tips. Search bring back over 325 threads solder is in.

[Bryan]

I use a 1/32" Conical tip on a 40w (variable) temperature controlled iron... this is primarily because I use(d) it for wired decoder installations... but this tip also works just fine for rail-joiners and feeders... providing adequate heat directly to the joint rapidly makes for a good joint without effecting surrounding (plastic) items.

[seanm]

get a good iron and keep the tip clean. Replace it when it gets out of shape.

I use this Weller's WLC100 for everything from track to feeders to decoders.


Has a wide range of tips available and sells for about $60. Best soldering investment I have made.

[Gen]

I try not to touch the tip of the iron with my fingers. Sometimes I do, though, like I did this weekend.

I'm like you, Vernon, so I'll be watching this thread for tips on improving. I use acid (plumber's) flux, which works better than rosin, but I also wash my solder joints with mineral spirits and a brass brush to prevent corosion. I also brush (brass also) the soldering tip everytime I pick up the iron. I found this, and dipping it in the flux just before applying, makes for quickest heat, which helps prevents plastic ties from melting too. Still working on the glob prevention, though, with Moose's guidance.

Like Bryan, I also use 40 watt, conical tip.

[Bigsparky65]

get a good iron and keep the tip clean. Replace it when it gets out of shape.

I use this Weller's WLC100 for everything from track to feeders to decoders.


Has a wide range of tips available and sells for about $60. Best soldering investment I have made.

Looks like a really good one Sean, we did you buy it from. I wonder if Radio Shack carries them.


Sparky(Jeff)

[seanm]

I believe it was a Christmas gift a few years ago.... Probably from EvilBay.

[Gen]

Here's a pdf file that came with my Fast Tracks package. I pretty much follow what's suggested here:

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/documents/an01.pdf

Hope that helps.

[seanm]

I like most of their tips there, but I think they are misusing the soldering stand. If you have your iron properly inserted into the stand it is not touching any metal. It is much safer as you cannot brush your arm against the hot tip like you can if it is setting on the bench with the hot tip up and exposed.

[Gen]

I like most of their tips there, but I think they are misusing the soldering stand. If you have your iron properly inserted into the stand it is not touching any metal. It is much safer as you cannot brush your arm against the hot tip like you can if it is stetting on the bench with the hot tip up and exposed.

Yes, it is much safer. I use the tiny aluminum stand the iron came with, but I saw someone post a homemade portable soldering station with a coil, and it looked like a good idea. I'm not sure how much heat that coil pulls off the iron, but if it still heats your work quickly, there's no reason not to use one.

[Davejb]

Looks like a really good one Sean, we did you buy it from. I wonder if Radio Shack carries them.


Sparky(Jeff)

MicroMark carries it for around $25, just ordered one to replace my 15 year old iron, figured it was time for a new one.

[vernon1]

get a good iron and keep the tip clean. Replace it when it gets out of shape.

I use this Weller's WLC100 for everything from track to feeders to decoders.


Has a wide range of tips available and sells for about $60. Best soldering investment I have made.

When to Sears and got one, made a good connection with it. Didn't have at radio shack or HD, Thanks for the tip Seanm

[DaveR1]

I agree Sean. The tip of the iron shouldn't be touching the metal of the stand if it is used properly.

A trick I learned for soldering is to put a little bead of solder on the hot tip of the iron before going in. The bead will increase the surface contact area and greatly improve heat transfer. Then after heating the joint, go in from the opposite side with the solder and let it wick through the joint toward the heat.

Although I've not soldered rails, I have had excellent success with flux made from plain old 20 Mule Team Borax in rubbing alcohol sprayed on the surface.

[RBMNfan]

Another trick is to tin both surfaces quickly before soldering them together, sometimes this helps alot with track feeders with only two hands.

[seanm]

If it takes more then 3 seconds to make the solder joint, something is wrong. Iron too cold, tip not clean, surfaces not clean, solder too thick etc.

[Papa]

MicroMark carries it for around $25, just ordered one to replace my 15 year old iron, figured it was time for a new one.

The $25 iron I don't think is a Weller, but just a similiar iron