12-09-2012, 10:00 AM
For what its worth I use 22 gauge solid wire for feeders. I strip about a quarter inch of insulation off the wire, flatten the end with a pair of flat pliers, (actually a Xuron spike pulling tool works really well for this) and then bend the flatten part about 90 degrees. I trim off the excess and I have a feeder that looks like a track spike.
Tin the wire, drill a hole in the tie using a piece of .039 music wire which works surprisingly well as s drill bit, through plastic, plywood, Homasote, copper clad ties, etc, and it will flex without breaking. Drop the feeder into the hole, dab a bit of flux, on the joint, and with a very hot iron, touch the feeder wire for about 2-3 seconds. Done.
Tin the wire, drill a hole in the tie using a piece of .039 music wire which works surprisingly well as s drill bit, through plastic, plywood, Homasote, copper clad ties, etc, and it will flex without breaking. Drop the feeder into the hole, dab a bit of flux, on the joint, and with a very hot iron, touch the feeder wire for about 2-3 seconds. Done.