Soldering help

[PetrolGator]

I'm working on a PE set with a lot of awfully complex brass boxes that compromise what is effectively a replacement superstructure. I'm dealing with a lot of grief using superglue. I HAVE a soldering gun but have not had the fortitude to really break it out and mess with it on expensive PE. Could anyone with experience let me know how to best approach this?

Tips are appreciated. I have scrap PE, so I can always use that.

[EJFoeth]

Might be of use

http://ontheslipway.com/?p=2588

[PetrolGator]

EJFoeth,

Thank you. I only have one important question: would substitution of a particularly fine American bourbon for the 2011 Pinot Grigio ruin the process?

[EJFoeth]

I'd go for one of these nice Californian Chardonnays The only bourbon I know is Four Roses which, according to my neighbor, was best used for washing windows or one's behind. Tips welcome

I only tried a few fluxes for soldering, but they are important for my results. Finding a good equivalent of the DCC flux should work. I bought some fluxes by Carr's but never got around using them as the DCC flux works quite well. Railroading hobbyists use soldering, they might know more. Perhaps I just had bad luck using the Tix Flux which remains corrosive. With the small joints on the PE we use, any corrosion ruins the bond beyond repair. At least, superglue didn't even adhere to the parts after cleaning.

[PetrolGator]

I was told to buy resin core solder from our local electronics store. I FULLY intend on experimentation before dumping the stuff on an expensive Artist Hobby set. If this all works (praying) I'll NEVER superglue a mast or large PE structure again.

[EJFoeth]

I bought a small ultrasonic cleaner and clean all soldered parts religiously; that should help as well.

I prefer soldering to superglue enormously and will solder all PE than can be soldered. Too bad I found out so late in my project....

[PetrolGator]

I'll be experimenting with this today. Thanks for your help!

[Harpy]

I soldered all my PE for large scale armor. A solder gun where were you can dial in the heat and a small chisel tip are handy. I don't use a resin core solder. I use separate resin that is in a syringe and a low melting temperature very thin diameter solder.

[mossieramm]

I bought a small ultrasonic cleaner

Which one, if you dont mind me asking.

[EJFoeth]

I bought the cheapest one from the Airbrush shop in Almere (Netherlands) plus a bottle of Tickopu universal cleaner, but I cannot find the brand. Perhaps TMX?

http://www.airbrush-services-almere.nl/ ... /d117.html

I also use it to clean all parts that fit in the device prior to painting. Really an easy way to clean parts thoroughly.