Soldering Photo-Etch

[Jon Heptonstall]

Hello all.
I want to get a basic soldering outfit for larger PE assemblies.I've never done any soldering before.Does anybody have any recommendations and/or useful tips?
Thanks.
Jon.

[Tim Marlow]

Antex irons are best in my opinion. I would also use Carr’s 145 degrees solder and a liquid flux. Stay away from electrical cored solder, that will just make the job hard. You will also need a glass fibre scratch brush to clean surfaces before soldering. Cleanliness is next to godliness in this case. Look at the Carr’s site for information. They are the premier modelling solder suppliers in the UK.

[Jon Heptonstall]

Cheers Tim.
At least I've got a glass fibre pen so that's a start.
Jon.

[minitnkr]

Ooooo, a new skill to master.

[Guest]

And practice on scrap bits of brass before trying the kit parts

[Tim Marlow]

Sorry Jon, I was pushed for time earlier.
This is the Carr’s site

https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/carrs/soldering

This is the solder

https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/carrs/soldering/solderpackets/c1002

...and this is the flux...put it on with an old paintbrush.

https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/carrs/soldering/flux/c1024

The best irons are these, in my opinion....

https://www.antex.co.uk/products/precision-range-soldering-irons/cs18/

Obviously look around for best prices.
To clean down afterwards I found cheap cream cleaner and an old toothbrush or stiff brush was best.

If you need more just ask
Cheers
Tim

[Jon Heptonstall]

Thanks a lot Tim
very useful info.I'll get cracking and let you know.
jakko- lots of brass cut offs to practice on!
Jon

[Guest]

I'd definitely suggest practice too.

I bought the exact same products (Tim has recommended them before) and still haven't managed to stick two pieces together yet.

I've given it up as a bad job for now and gone back to glue. Will try again some other time.

[scottie3158]

As has already been said the secret is cleanliness and a good flux and practice.

[stillp]

I was in electronics for a few decades, and always preferred Weller soldering irons. The main thing (after cleanliness) is to remember that it's the work that should melt the solder, not the iron.
Pete

[Guest]

This is the low temerature paste I use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SOLDER-138DEG-SMDLTLFP-CHIP-QUIK/dp/B0195V1QEI/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=low+temperature+paste&qid=1617216324&sr=8-15

Has lots of bits & pieces to put the paste where you need it

To set it off I use a hot air gun using passes ( not full on ) until the paste give up & forms a solder joint. Definetly do not blast it with heat.

All very easy stuff but just practice is needed to get the technique.

The staircase for a SeaKing was all constructed using low temperature solder.
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Great advanatge yoy can sand & shape . Used to use C/A for this type of construction.

Also make a muck heat it up & it falls apart.

LAurie

[Tim Marlow]

True Pete. With the 145 solder you need to put in far less energy so it’s really easy to get the joint to flow through properly. Antex irons have a tips that are easier to change and they heat the tips from the inside so the working end is not as unwieldy for fine scale work. Weller irons are better for electrical work because they hold a heat reservoir better for the 250 DegC cored solder used. They are therefore a bit chunky like the old Solon models.

[Tim Marlow]

Nice job Laurie. Solder paste (or cream) with a resistance soldering unit was the go-to high end tool in railway loco and coach building back in the nineties......not even sure if you can buy resistance soldering units these days.....I couldn’t afford one then.

[minitnkr]

A friend uses the propane powered small soldering iron for surface mount components. Would prolly work great on PE. Very small tip and no wires. PaulE

[Guest]

My little set up for low temp. stuff.

The heat gun is a dremel 2000. beauty of it is that you can set the temperature. Works on butane.

Working with all of this is very satisfying & adds a dimension to model making. Much better than yucky C/A.

Laurie

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