Brass soldering?

[snapper]

I am planning at trying my hand at some brass kits but before I spend some money on the kits I am going to pick up some sheet brass and practice my joints. I was wondering what sort of thickness brass kits usually are. Also has anybody got any thoughts on using a soldering iron vs a micro gas torch?

 

Thanks Snapper

[Dave]

Hey Snapper,

 

A gas torch would be a better way to go, it needs quite a bit of practice to get the soldered joint right. Too much heat can warp the brass and too little can create bad joints. You also need to heat a seem evenly across the length to get a good joint. Practice make perfect. A soldering Iron can be used but it needs to be quite big with a high heat output and is very tricky to master.

Try You Tube for tutorials. I learned how to weld through You Tube.

Hope this helps.

 

Dave

[Weshty]

Snapper. A cheap 40w electric iron will do you grand as you can leave it turned on for 2-3 hours at a go. Do that with a gas one and you'll be refilling to beat the band.

 

Essential tools:

Wet and dry sandpaper or a fibre brush to clean the brass surface

Carrs Green flux

120 degree solder (170 degree requires too much heating)

 

That's it, and no need to buy extra brass, just get the kit you need and practice on the scrap material borders of the etches.

Edited July 1, 2012 by Weshty

[Warbonnet]

Would go with the iron myself as Westy has suggested. New to the game myself and bought the On Tracks DVD on how to build brass loco kits. It's a bit pricey but a great tutorial.

[snapper]

Snapper. A cheap 40w electric iron will do you grand as you can leave it turned on for 2-3 hours at a go. Do that with a gas one and you'll be refilling to beat the band.

 

Essential tools:

Wet and dry sandpaper or a fibre brush to clean the brass surface

Carrs Green flux

120 degree solder (170 degree requires too much heating)

 

That's it, and no need to buy extra brass, just get the kit you need and practice on the scrap material borders of the etches.

 

Well in that case I think I have everything I need here except the solder and a kit. Where do you get your solder the only stuff I have here is 220. Where do you get your 120 solder?

 

Thanks Snapper

[Weshty]

http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Engineering_Menu_Carrs_Solders___Fluxes___etc_346.html

 

Carrs Green Label Flux (Ref: GR1)

Carrs No 145 Solder (Ref: N0145) (sorry it's 145deg not 120!)

[snapper]

Would go with the iron myself as Westy has suggested. New to the game myself and bought the On Tracks DVD on how to build brass loco kits. It's a bit pricey but a great tutorial.

 

 

Is this the DVD you are talking about?

http://www.model-railway-dvd.co.uk/right_track1.php

[Warbonnet]

 

Is this the DVD you are talking about?

http://www.model-railway-dvd.co.uk/right_track1.php

 

Yes it is, there are two DVDs; part one and part 2. Sorry, I would've provided a link but my broadband is dead at the moment and I have to rely on the phone and memory!

 

If you're worried about mucking up an expensive loco kit at first then maybe get one of Westy's brake van kits. Good value for beginners such as us I think, I must order one myself.

[snapper]

Yes it is, there are two DVDs; part one and part 2. Sorry, I would've provided a link but my broadband is dead at the moment and I have to rely on the phone and memory!

 

If you're worried about mucking up an expensive loco kit at first then maybe get one of Westy's brake van kits. Good value for beginners such as us I think, I must order one myself.

 

Thanks, in the process of ordering one now:-bd (the break van that is)

[Warbonnet]

No problem, let us know how it goes! Westy, better get two of those kits ready, will be getting one myself when I get t'internet sorted out!

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

I would go with the soldering iron as it would be very easy to make a mistake and warp the brass with the gas torch. Once you get the experience you can upgrade

Edited July 2, 2012 by Anthony

[snapper]

Well all the bits are on their way, I will post up pics when I start.

 

Thanks for the help, Snapper

[snapper]

Kit arrived this morning, just waiting on the solder now:D

[Warbonnet]

Kit arrived this morning, just waiting on the solder now:D

 

Best of luck with it, keep us posted!

[snapper]

Progressing nicely, well I think so anyway:p

 

 

 

 

 

[snapper]

While it may not be a master piece I am happy with how its coming along considering its my first brass kit. Hopefully I will get the chassis finished tonight.

 

 

 

A couple of learning points that might help anybody else thinking of doing there first brass kit.

 

1. Use plenty of flux, don't be stingy. It really helps the solder flow.

2. The T irons on the side of the van are rather fiddly and I would hold off doing them until you get a bit more comfortable with soldering

3. Cocktail sticks are your friend, they don’t get stuck in the solder as much at my metal tweezers

4. Mind your fingers, hot solder is hot

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

Coming along nicely

[Guest hidden-agenda]

Shaping up nicely but get your self a set of tweezers that have wooden insulated grips http://www.teessidesilversmith.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=7 and save your finger tips.

[snapper]

Shaping up nicely but get your self a set of tweezers that have wooden insulated grips http://www.teessidesilversmith.com/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=7 and save your finger tips.

 

They look like the thing for the job

 

Another question for you guys, what do you recommend as a primer for painting on brass?

[Guest hidden-agenda]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_170745_langId_-1_categoryId_165625 This is the dogs your local motor factors should sell it .

Regards Gareth.

[snapper]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_170745_langId_-1_categoryId_165625 This is the dogs your local motor factors should sell it .

Regards Gareth.

 

Sweet, there is a halfords 5 minutes from me and I have a 15% discount card.