Hand Tools

Favorite Hand tools
For model railroading

Where to store
cordless drill? 4" PCV pipe sleeve
with a notch for the trigger

Soldering tools
I only use the smallest solder for model railroading. Must Have Solder Sucker
Deluxe Brass

Weller Soldering Gun
Sell it on eBay!

Tips on unsoldering train stuff. . .

The issue is usually how to unsolder something. Almost always, the problem with unsoldering something is the lack of flux in the existing joint. This is where a bottle of liquid flux is invaluable. In the electronics repair business, we typically paint the old joint with some liquid rosin flux with a small brush.

Using a larger iron is better for unsoldering. A smaller iron takes longer to heat the object, that time translates to heat migration and the area gets overall hotter than using a larger iron. I use an iron of 60 watts for everything. Remember, with soldering, the object is to get in and get out quickly. By the way, I never burn ties.

It is kind of like a house painter, they will use a 4 inch brush for things you and I would use a 1 inch. They have the technique and skill honed to use the larger tool. Soldering is an art, you have to develop and practice the technique.

Liquid soldering flux
From GC Electronics
Completely non-corrosive liquid solder flux
consisting of a solution of special rosin in alcohol.
Contains no traces of acids or chlorides and is
completely safe to use on even the most delicate
electronic equipment. For electronics applications. $6.95
http://www.action-electronics.com/kester.htm#Flux

Here are the tools I use to solder everything from a decoder wire to an HO rail. There is NO adjustment on my Iron, by the way. The advantages of the station is the thermostatic control and the sponge. Simple soldering irons typically have poor or no thermostatic control and get hotter and hotter the longer you use them as evidenced by their burned up tips. The tip in my Iron is 5 or 6 years old. It does not burn up, and is easy to re-tin. I cannot tell you how many times I left it on all night.

Too bad we don't have a video of the time I sat on my soldering pencil in a computer room about 20 years ago, burned a hole in my pants and my butt!

Joe Daddy

Removing Lettering on locomotives
is simple. Remove the part, and soak for
30-45 minutes in E-Safe and the
letters or numbers will disappear
I keep mine in a plastic sealed box ready
for that next bargain P2K or BLI loco!

Content last updated
December 26, 2009 09:48:16 PM
Mountain Time

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Where to store cordless drill?	4" PCV pipe sleeve with a notch for the trigger

Soldering tools I only use the smallest solder for model railroading.	Must Have	Solder Sucker Deluxe Brass
Weller Soldering Gun Sell it on eBay!	Tips on unsoldering train stuff. . . The issue is usually how to unsolder something. Almost always, the problem with unsoldering something is the lack of flux in the existing joint. This is where a bottle of liquid flux is invaluable. In the electronics repair business, we typically paint the old joint with some liquid rosin flux with a small brush. Using a larger iron is better for unsoldering. A smaller iron takes longer to heat the object, that time translates to heat migration and the area gets overall hotter than using a larger iron. I use an iron of 60 watts for everything. Remember, with soldering, the object is to get in and get out quickly. By the way, I never burn ties. It is kind of like a house painter, they will use a 4 inch brush for things you and I would use a 1 inch. They have the technique and skill honed to use the larger tool. Soldering is an art, you have to develop and practice the technique. Liquid soldering flux From GC Electronics Completely non-corrosive liquid solder flux consisting of a solution of special rosin in alcohol. Contains no traces of acids or chlorides and is completely safe to use on even the most delicate electronic equipment. For electronics applications. $6.95 http://www.action-electronics.com/kester.htm#Flux Here are the tools I use to solder everything from a decoder wire to an HO rail. There is NO adjustment on my Iron, by the way. The advantages of the station is the thermostatic control and the sponge. Simple soldering irons typically have poor or no thermostatic control and get hotter and hotter the longer you use them as evidenced by their burned up tips. The tip in my Iron is 5 or 6 years old. It does not burn up, and is easy to re-tin. I cannot tell you how many times I left it on all night. Too bad we don't have a video of the time I sat on my soldering pencil in a computer room about 20 years ago, burned a hole in my pants and my butt! Joe Daddy


Removing Lettering on locomotives is simple. Remove the part, and soak for 30-45 minutes in E-Safe and the letters or numbers will disappear I keep mine in a plastic sealed box ready for that next bargain P2K or BLI loco!