Members
Simple Soldering
The Simple Soldering Skills Session was held at the Clubroom on the 3rd November 2024.
The session covered the safety aspects of soldering and the general equipment that would be needed to achieve successful joint soldering.
David McClory led the session and explained the step-by-step approaches that go towards successfully soldering wires together and to other surfaces.
David explained the importance of using flux, the tinning of wires and rails, and how to apply just enough heat to the components to ensure the solder flows evenly.
Members attending were able to practice doing these tasks and successfully soldering wires to rails, other wires, etc.
Those attending were appreciative of all of David’s input and said that they found the session very useful and informative.
Safety points regarding the use of soldering irons and equipment:
These points are mainly related to simple electrical wiring for model railway layouts.
The safety points that were covered during the session are:-
- Always work in a well ventilated, clear and uncluttered space.
- The fumes from soldering, when inhaled, can cause breathing difficulties and aggravate existing breathing conditions such as asthma.
- Ensure the soldering iron is at the correct temperature for the task in hand.
- Do not solder when you are under the layout, or in an upside-down position.
- Never try to catch a falling, hot, soldering iron.
- Ensure that the soldering iron is placed in a stand between jobs.
- Keep the tip of the iron clean, do not use a file to clean it !
- Ensure you have sufficient flux and solder to complete the task.
- Always use the correct type of solder for electrical work. Lead Free or 60/40.
- Be aware of melting / burning surrounding materials, i.e. Plastics.
- Keep the hot iron tip away from flammable liquids and pressurised containers.
- Clean the surfaces beforehand that are to have solder applied to them.
- Remove old solder from surfaces and clean them before re-soldering.
- When finished soldering turn the iron off and allow to cool before stowing away.
- Tidy away everything else that has been used.
