04-14-2012, 08:38 AM
Nice work on the turnout Thomas. I hand lay too so I can really appreciate the effort you put into it especially for your first time.
If I can offer some suggestions. It looks like you are using too much solder on the joints between the copper ties and the rail. It could be because you are using too big a tip on your soldering iron or the gauge of solder is too heavy. Without knowing what tools you used to build them I am only guessing these are the reasons. Try using a fine pencil tip on your soldering iron and use something like a Weller 35 watt iron. The solder diameter should be something around .15 gauge. I also use an acid based (plumber's) flux. While many here might object to using such an aggressive flux I see no reason not too if you are building on the bench. So long as you wash the residue off with some hot soapy water afterwards you don't have anything to worry about your joints getting corroded and failing. Painting the turnouts as soon as possible helps as well to prevent any oxidization at the joints.
Get your self an NMRA track gauge too. An immensely helpful tool whether you hand lay track or not.
I will also point to Tim Warris and the Fast Tracks website as his site, tools, and techniques are what got me started and his online videos and manuals are all free and incredibly helpful.
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/
Below is a curved # 6 I built for my layout.
![[Image: DSC03145-1.jpg]](http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee118/tetters73/DSC03145-1.jpg)
Looking forward to seeing more from you!
Shane
If I can offer some suggestions. It looks like you are using too much solder on the joints between the copper ties and the rail. It could be because you are using too big a tip on your soldering iron or the gauge of solder is too heavy. Without knowing what tools you used to build them I am only guessing these are the reasons. Try using a fine pencil tip on your soldering iron and use something like a Weller 35 watt iron. The solder diameter should be something around .15 gauge. I also use an acid based (plumber's) flux. While many here might object to using such an aggressive flux I see no reason not too if you are building on the bench. So long as you wash the residue off with some hot soapy water afterwards you don't have anything to worry about your joints getting corroded and failing. Painting the turnouts as soon as possible helps as well to prevent any oxidization at the joints.
Get your self an NMRA track gauge too. An immensely helpful tool whether you hand lay track or not.
I will also point to Tim Warris and the Fast Tracks website as his site, tools, and techniques are what got me started and his online videos and manuals are all free and incredibly helpful.
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/
Below is a curved # 6 I built for my layout.
Looking forward to seeing more from you!
Shane