Hand laying track

[tramcar trev]

I have started on some trackwork, made a set off single blade points...... Ok Im using 9mm wide strips of PCB as sleepers and my 80watt soldering iron does not do a really good job, just doesnt seem to have enough heat to sweat the brass track to the sleepers. Would a 100 watter do the trick? Can't find any in the shops here (well Bunnings have a Weller 150 watt for au$175) so it will be an online purchase....

 

[whizzo]

hi , i use a weller 150 watt for soldering lgb track works really well regards Dave

 

[tramcar trev]

What about JAYCAR?
ADJUSTABLE TEMP 20 TO 130 WATT IRON CAT NO:: TS1554..A$17.95
also a starter set. TS 1651. A$24.

Very interesting.... when I searched the Jaycar Cattledog I put in Soldering iron and this little gem was not disclosed....
I'll have a squizz at it on the morrrow though the tips may be a bit small....

 

[MR SPOCK]

The size of the rail is likely to be affecting it as the amount of heat need would be greater, the pcb tho dont like too much as it rends to pop off the paxolin, ​

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an adjustable one would be better I use solder paste as it needs less time to heat up,
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[tramcar trev]

I have been busy making the signal lights and made as set of points using the Uri Geller method - not entirely satisfactory, so I designed and made this very Heath Robinson rail bender ( coincidentally resembling a railway Xing sign)...... Well it does work but has a few flaws, I have to move the outer rollers closer towards the centre so that shorter lengths of track can be bent....It has a nice brass pointer but what it points too at this stage is unknown but hopefully it will allow reasonable replication of bends when I know where it is when the bends are at the right radius..... If you get my drift..... Empirical design, it'll be ok on the night LOL