Model Railway Forum

yelrow wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2020 9:54 am On the Repair Shop, on tv, all repairers use Gas irons, some like my wife uses for Creme Brule, or the bigger ones with camping gas. Surprised me, but obviously, they get better results.

Normally where a gas flame is used you're either plumbing with copper pipe or you need a very high temperature for Brazing, which is not technically soldering.

You cannot use a flame on PCB or rail soldering. Even a gas power portable soldering iron, while very effective (I have a well used Portasol iron), I find that the heat exchanger area (catalyst) is so hot and is located very close to the area of soldering, it can very easily melt nearby plastic.

As I've already started, for model railway general electrical soldering, the Antex 25 watt iron will be very hard to beat, both for longevity and tip interchangeability. But do get one with a Silicone cable as its far more flexible. A 45 to 60 watt digital temperature controlled iron is ideal too, but you really need to have the frequent or continuous use of one to off set its higher price.

I do not recommend anyone tries to solder wires, rails or any other model railway item with a naked flame!

Soldering wires on the BBC The Repair Shop I think the iron he is using is a possibly a Weller?

I got one of these, slightly different branding, from Maplin when it was trading. Superb iron for all my electronic work. Loads around with the Tenma brand.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tenma-Solder ... Sw5uBewsFD

Thats the same one I have - great for PCB work Different brand though?

Brian, yup ,happy with one you recommended. The point i was making was that of surprise how often they used the flame ones. I use one for plumbing, but would not have given the flame ones a thought for owt else.

Yes, but they do not use a flame for electrical soldering! The guys use an electric soldering iron.
Fames are not at all suitable for any electrical work especially in model railways. Its highly dangerous to suggest they can be used. You'll have the layout going up in flames quickly followed by the house!

Brian wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2020 11:45 am Thats the same one I have - great for PCB work Different brand though?

Identical to mine

I also have that exact model.