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Another soldering question

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1.9K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  gunrunnerjohn  
#1 ·
I went to buy some solder for track work and a basic electrical connections for model railroad engines and was overwhelmed at the selections available.

There are several kinds, with and without this or that in various ratios of this or that.

What is a good all around solder for model railroading?

What size diameter?

I flux everything, by the way. I have fewer failures that way, it seems.

Bill
 
#5 ·
I recommend this solder.

Kester 44 Rosin Core Solder 63/37 0.80mm (0.031 inches) 1 lb. Spool

63/37 is a eutectic alloy of tin/lead, and has a slightly lower melting point, (183 °C or 361 °F). However, more important is the fact that it goes immediately from a liquid to a solid at that temperature, this reduces the possibility of a cold solder joint.
 
#7 ·
IMO, setting a soldering iron to a power setting as opposed to a temperature setting is far from ideal. The best solution is a temperature controlled soldering station where you can read the actual temperature of the tip and set it to the job at hand. Having a wattage setting will allow the temperature to be all over the map, based on the actual item you're soldering.

As far as the solder size, I use .020" diameter for PCB work and the .031" diameter for general wiring. One size doesn't necessarily fit all.
 
#10 ·
I agree with that for temperature. Unfortunately I have a set of two irons. One is set at 10 or 20 and the other is 15 or 30. They do the job so I never bought an more expensive station. Had the same irons as long as I can remember. Only changed the tips after years of use.