Really impressive work, the results in the picture you've posted of a run in situ on your layout is delightful, and in my view well worth the 'eternity' it is taking you!

But how on earth do you solder such small parts? Like do you use a particularly small iron? Perhaps you use soldering paste rather than the usual stuff on a roll? I wouldn't know where to start and am very interested to read what techniques you have used and of lessons learned.

Either way, I take my hat off to you

Insane! That is truly remarkable and you must be bonkers to try doing this in 2mm but the results are incredible. Top marks too for getting a blog sorted, if you add the 'followers' gadget to the right hand column we can subscribe to keep up to date

Nice work Julia.

Reminds me of the article in Model Railway Constructor where they did the rodding in P4 for Bodmin General. I thought they were a bit mad at the time. Darned good series of articles though - taught me all about real (not Peco) point geometry, mechanical interlocking and so on.

Fancy another job when you've finished that little lot? Our trackbed looks a bit bare compared to yours.

Absolutely stunning! In a way, I'm looking forward to doing the rodding on my 4mm layout and that will be small enough for my eyes. If I get anywhere near the quality of your work, I'll be more than happy.

From the last but one photo it looks like you are using an RSU. Are you using the the ruler as the return path?

Nick

Hi Julia

I am left speechless.

Brilliant

Jim

They're so pretty. I want to add point rodding too, when I get that far. Despite understanding how small point rodding stools were I was still shocked at how small the parts are on the fret when I saw them for real: that first picture must be at least three times full size.

Julia,

The amount of time and effort are really worth while, the result is fantastic. The only thing that surprises me is that it's only cosmetic and you haven't made it functional !! ;-)

Ian

Hello Folks!

WOW, Thanks everyone for the vote of confidence. I didnt really expect as many replies about this as there arent really any 'impressive' photos or anything. Im amazed that people are still following my ramblings too.

But how on earth do you solder such small parts? Like do you use a particularly small iron? Perhaps you use soldering paste rather than the usual stuff on a roll? I wouldn't know where to start and am very interested to read what techniques you have used and of lessons learned.

I have tried a mixture of jigs and ways of soldering it all together including my BSI Standard modelling Antex 25w soldering iron. More recently I have used a resistance soldering iron to do these as it means I can really focus the heat on a small area for a small amount of time. As the results show I do seem to be getting better at it the more I do. If you would like me to show you anything specific I am more than willing to, I could just as easily show a step-by-step guide on soldering these together.

Will you be adding the rollers that sit on top of the rodding between each stool?

Tom.

Erm...no! I think what I have done is enough. I thought the rollers sit underneath the rodding anyway?

Top marks too for getting a blog sorted, if you add the 'followers' gadget to the right hand column we can subscribe to keep up to date

I think I have tweaked it so try it now...

Fancy another job when you've finished that little lot? Our trackbed looks a bit bare compared to yours.

Thanks but no thanks, one layout is enough! The only thing I think I can say though is its worth it.

M

First Class Julia, We need to add miles and miles of this stuff to CF- want a job?

Richard

Me again

Brilliant. It's one of those things that when you see you think how could I leave that out? You keep raising the bar Missy

Don

As well as the comments on this blog, thats whats keeping me going with this, I can safely say this is harder to do than trackwork. I dont know what bar I am raising though, anyone can do this really....

From the last but one photo it looks like you are using an RSU. Are you using the the ruler as the return path?

Nick

Yes and yes. The ruler is a nice straight edge to work against plus, as you say it is the ground for the resistance soldering. The wire from the unit is 'stuck' to the ruler with a magnet.

Superb Missy - keep going as the third pic demonstrates how good it looks...

Thank you Pete, is there going to be any appearing on Coombe Junction at some point then?

I am left speechless.

Jim

No your not! You have done more than the majority of people on here..

M

And again! (Damn SQL errors!)

They're so pretty. I want to add point rodding too, when I get that far. Despite understanding how small point rodding stools were I was still shocked at how small the parts are on the fret when I saw them for real: that first picture must be at least three times full size.

They arent pretty, flowers are pretty! Im looking forward to seeing your effort, Im sure it will be much better than my attempt..

Well worth all the effort and sore eyes I should think?

Cheers,

Mark

I cant do it when Im tired, I really do think this is my limit, its not so much the size of it all more the sheer quantity of it.

The only thing that surprises me is that it's only cosmetic and you haven't made it functional !! ;-)

Ian

Ha! No chance!

Missy

And again...! (apologies for the many replies)

Excellent job - shall I put up some pics of the real thing so that you can put it to shame?

That is a really good idea although I doubt mine will look anything like the real thing! It would be interesting to see how the problem of passing rodding under multiple tracks is dealt with though (yes, I have that to do soon)

welcome to external blog world, I will follow it with interest.

Thanks, you were one of the people that made me decide to do it. Once I figure it out I will add yours to my following list thingy too.

We need to add miles and miles of this stuff to CF- want a job?

Richard

Erm.....I can supply it in kit form

Seriously though, thank you all so much for your kind words and support.

M

Hello

Having been asked by Geoff to review the protoype practice section of the revised 2mm Track handbook it contains some useful photos of rodding. This will be coming to all 2mSA members in due course. Not being my photos I cannot post here but I could ask Geoff if I can forward them to you ( I think I have your Email from the VAG).

Don

That would be useful, thank you. It would be worth checking with Geoff first though. As I mentioned before I have some tricky bits comming up where I need to route the rodding under a couple of tracks so I would be very interested in seeing how thats normally done.

 

 

I only have one turnout (the other a ground frame I think) and thankfully its close to the signal box so yes I guess I have to...

That sounds like you have just enough but not too much as to go mad. I am jealous

M

Now that really is attention to detail. Superb work - like the idea of the template to help measure and solder in place.

 

Mike

Templates are your friend and dont be afraid of spending time making them, especially in 2mm scale.

M