Building a Single Slip

[Ian Smeeton]

Despite laying all the copper clad out on the main board, I decided it might be a better idea to build this particular bit of S & C on the workbench rather than try and manipulate a 4' X 2' board as I worked.

 

A suitable small piece of plywood was prepared by printing off the relevant Templot image and sticking the template to the plywood with Pritt Stick (other makes are available).

 

The anged stock rail was laid first, and then came the fiddly bit of placing the first common crossing. (One prepared, in the best Blue Peter fashion, a little earlier.)

 

At this point I ran out of hands.

 

No matter how careful I was, I just could not get the crossing, the solder, and the soldering iron to come together gently enough to make the joint without something moving.

 

I tried both of my cordless irons, but neither seemed suitable for the job.

 

Does the esteemed company think that it is time that I bought a new iron?

 

 

I have always been told that these two soldering irons were man enough for any job, and with care, would last at least my lifetime, if not several more.

 

I now think that the advice I was given was slightly off.

 

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edit: added salutations

Edited May 28, 2017 by Ian Smeeton

[Judge Dread]

You are absolutely right there!

 

Edited May 28, 2017 by Judge Dread

[£1.38]

Your equipment and materials are highly inappropriate for track building in 2mm finescale. You have done remarkably well to get that far!

 

1. a small electric soldering iron, maybe 20w

2. Very thin flux-cored solder wire

3. A liquid flux like Carrs Green label

 

Use plenty of flux and carry a small piece of solder on the tip of the soldering iron to the work. That way you have one hand free and can carefully limit the amount of solder you apply to each joint.

Edited May 28, 2017 by £1.38

[dhjgreen]

Despite laying all the copper clad out on the main board, I decided it might be a better idea to build this particular bit of S & C on the workbench rather than try and manipulate a 4' X 2' board as I worked.

 

A suitable small piece of plywood was prepared by printing off the relevant Templot image and sticking the template to the plywood with Pritt Stick (other makes are available).

 

The anged stock rail was laid first, and then came the fiddly bit of placing the first common crossing. (One prepared, in the best Blue Peter fashion, a little earlier.)

 

At this point I ran out of hands.

 

No matter how careful I was, I just could not get the crossing, the solder, and the soldering iron to come together gently enough to make the joint without something moving.

 

I tried both of my cordless irons, but neither seemed suitable for the job.

 

Does the esteemed company think that it is time that I bought a new iron?

 

2017_0525Workshop0004.jpg

 

I have always been told that these two soldering irons were man enough for any job, and with care, would last at least my lifetime, if not several more.

 

I now think that the advice I was given was slightly off.

 

2017_0525Workshop0003.jpg

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edit: added salutations

Absolutely brilliant, and look at the size of the solder too!!

[Junctionmad]

Your equipment and materials are highly inappropriate for track building in 2mm finescale. You have done remarkably well to get that far!

 

1. a small electric soldering iron, maybe 20w

2. Very thin flux-cored solder wire

3. A liquid flux like Carrs Green label

 

Use plenty of flux and carry a small piece of solder on the tip of the soldering iron to the work. That way you have one hand free and can carefully limit the amount of solder you apply to each joint.

 

dont bother with any iron under 40w  preferably temperature controlled 

Despite laying all the copper clad out on the main board, I decided it might be a better idea to build this particular bit of S & C on the workbench rather than try and manipulate a 4' X 2' board as I worked.

 

A suitable small piece of plywood was prepared by printing off the relevant Templot image and sticking the template to the plywood with Pritt Stick (other makes are available).

 

The anged stock rail was laid first, and then came the fiddly bit of placing the first common crossing. (One prepared, in the best Blue Peter fashion, a little earlier.)

 

At this point I ran out of hands.

 

No matter how careful I was, I just could not get the crossing, the solder, and the soldering iron to come together gently enough to make the joint without something moving.

 

I tried both of my cordless irons, but neither seemed suitable for the job.

 

Does the esteemed company think that it is time that I bought a new iron?

 

2017_0525Workshop0004.jpg

 

I have always been told that these two soldering irons were man enough for any job, and with care, would last at least my lifetime, if not several more.

 

I now think that the advice I was given was slightly off.

 

2017_0525Workshop0003.jpg

 

Regards

 

Ian

Edit: added salutations

jeepers, are you soldering garden gates !!!

[Joseph_Pestell]

Much easier solution. Move to Gauge 3.

[Ian Smeeton]

Sorry, chaps.

 

Frustration got the better of me so I decided to have some fun.

 

I do actually own the correct tools, but I think the caffeine content of my last triple espresso was either too high or too low, and patience was running thin.

 

Perhaps I should have posted this in Wheeltappers, about 8 weeks ago for best effect.

 

Regards,

 

and thanks for the appropriate advice.

 

Ian

[mightbe]

I use blu-tack or similar to hold things down. Always helps to have extra rail that can be trimmed and filed back to the right place. 

 

Quentin

[Spitfire2865]

Much easier solution. Move to Gauge 3.

Gauge 3!? With those sizes, Im sure you could do 12" to the foot modeling.

Edited May 28, 2017 by Spitfire2865