[Glen]

Hi,
I'm new here and new to the hobby. I've been told I have to soder the steel rails. Is there a trick to sodering without melting the ties? I have an old sodering gun. Will this do the job? The rails come apart in the worst possible place. Which I understand is standard. Thanks for any help you can give.
Glen

 

[shaygetz]

Welcome to the forum...

The hotter the iron, the better. That way, the only area being heated is where the joint is. I use a 40 watt pencil iron, your gun will be a bit clumsy but should be hot enough. Make sure it's clean and use a good electronic grade rosin flux. If it takes longer than a moment or two to flow, your iron and work are not hot enough.

 

[tankist]

Hi and welcome.
i see no reason why can't you use standard joiners. soldering is good but not untill you have everything finalized. if you have to solder , use powerful enough iron to be in and out quick. heat both rails, grab solder , solder rails. you also can use clamps on your rails for heatsinks, but i do without and haven't melted to much stuff.

and piece fo advice of person who started with the hobby couple month ago - get nickel silver istead before you dive to deep. you will thank yourself