Solder power tap to train track



Solder power tap to train track


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Here’s how I solder a tap to a model train track. This method is called tack
soldering or sweat soldering. Using this method minimizes heating time of work.
It also maximizes strength for a small area joint, and allows two-hand
soldering.

 

dirty rail old rail

 

 

 

 

To show how well this works, this is a section of very old very dirty rail.

Look how black the rail is with tarnish. This makes soldering very difficult.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

clean the rail up

 

 

 

 

Using a sharp small scraper, I scrape rail side clean and shiny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

organic flux

 

 

 

 

If you do a lot of soldering, buy some good non-corrosive solder flux. People
who solder a lot buy it by the gallon!

 

 

Fluxing the solder point is a good idea, although with a good multi-core
rosin solder like WRAP 3 style solder there is usually enough flux.

 

 

 

 

heating the rail

 

 

 

 

I use wet sponges to prevent tie melting while soldering. This is the most
effective method I have used. We used it in manufacturing, back when the USA
made things.

 

Put a big dot of solder on a clean tip and heat the rail quickly. As soon as
the solder flows, apply more fresh solder to work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

make a dot on rail

 

 

 

 

 

Make a solder dot on rail. This should be a good sized dot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Properly prepared rail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what a properly prepared rail will look like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tin lead well with abundent solder

 

 

 

 

Tin the lead well with fresh solder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Properly prepared lead. Clean, shiny, and enough solder.

 

 

 

 

 

Properly tinned lead ready to form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bend lead to shape to fit end flat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form the tinned lead in a hook. This will let you place a flat area against
the rail dot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tack without adding solder

 

 

 

 

 

Tack solder by sweating the lead to the dot on rail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished tack soldered joint

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a finished tack soldered joint. Notice nothing melted, not the wire
insulation or the rail spikes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tug soldered lead to be sure it is strong mechanically.

 

 

 

Pull on lead to make sure it is mechanically bonded. You should be able to
pull pretty hard without pulling lead loose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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