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Trials and Tribulations

backofanenvelope

Entry posted by backofanenvelope

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So although not completely model rail related, I have found somewhere to live which is good! Hopefully be able to set up a bit of a modelling bench now, although I suspect there will be a succession of people want to come and stay! The added bonus is there is a garden, for doing the dirty stuff outside and a little shed.. every man should have a shed :) I am going to have to keep things tidy so clever use of space will be the order of the day, but I am happy to finally be settling somewhere. More of this to follow.

 

My second entry to this post is I tried some non-lead soldering last night and boy how difficult is that!! I know I am doing it wrongly as it is not working! I have a temp controlled iron and am using flux cored Maplins non lead solder. On Maplins website they advise a melting temp of 215C but the solder doesn't budge at that temp so cranking it up to around 380-400C makes it flow but I just don't seem to be able to make it flow. More heat? that's the only thing I can think would help. Maybe the Maplins solder isn't very good? So ideas and advice gratefully accepted.

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  • RMweb Gold
Donw
  • RMweb Gold

I was obliged to use lead free solder for plumbing work as solder containing lead is unacceptable for pipes containing potable water. I was using a gas torch and cannot say what the temperature was but i did find it flowed less although this is a subjective assessment. The beauty of lead is that is has a state between solid and molten when it is like butter which is why plumbers can wipe a joint.

Unless you are soldering commercially I believe there is no requirement to use lead free for modelling. The problem is likely to be the supply of lead solders drying up. If you have plenty in stock you may as well carry on.

If you wish to persevere with the lead free solders I would suggest trying some alternatives. The electronics industry could not use solders that needed such a high temperature.

Mind you I think the whole thing is daft as some of the other metals used are not that healthy either.

Don

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backofanenvelope

Don I fully agree, the use of lead in solder for modelling is so far still allowed and I bulk brought leaded solder just before the new laws came in.. The reason why I am trying it is to solder decoders onto existing boards where I am not able to wash flux off as mentioned in another thread over on the 2mil section here and as I haven't got any Carrs non corrosive at the moment... Looking at the board it has some solder so maybe I might be able to add a bit without fluxing. Anyway I will keep trying with the lead free as its a bit of a challenge now! :)

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