Is there a sure fire solution to soldering together ME weathered rail? I am using fast tracks templates for track and even though I am cleaning the rails prior to soldering, I am having a great deal of difficulty with the PC ties not soldering to the bottoms of the rail. Any suggestions?
I hjave found when soldering to ME weathred rail that it is necessary to remove the coating in the area to be soldered so you get down to bare metal. Lots of ways to do it - light filing, sanding, and such - even an eraser can work.
Charles
I use a weller adjustable station at about 30 watts, with a flat blade type tip. Make sure the surfaces to be soldered are clean, as you have done. I use a brush to apply some paste flux to the surfaces. Make sure the iron is heated up properly, and the tip is clean and tinned. It should melt solder instantly. touch the tip of the gun to the rail and the tie at the same time for about 3 seconds, then touch your solder to the edge of the soldering tip and the rail. I would use a .032 60/40 rosin core solder. If you don’t have a lot of experience I would recomend some test runs at your workbench with some scrap track.
good luck
Philip
The answer may depend on what you mean by “clean.” In order for solder to completely adhere, the weathering/blackening needs to be removed from the rail. It’s not sufficient to merely have a clean surface. A few seconds to file or sand off the weathering in the appropriate spots should result in no trouble soldering.
another thing that works really well is a small wire wheel in a rotary tool.
I use an old exacto blade and scrape off the weathering. Once it’s shiny metal, you’re good. At least it always worked for me with minimal hassle in making the hundreds of rail joints and drop feeders on my layout. It’s about as simple as it gets and uses tools you already have on hand.
I have done as mlehman stated and it has always been good. I scrape the rail down to the metal, though I use liquid flex and and it works.