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Post by Wayne Kinney on May 20, 2013 8:31:36 GMT
Hi Guys,
I am currently working on 2 jigs for making the fiNetrax switch blades.
First is a filing jig which holds the rail at the correct angle for filing into a B switch. This is working well and I am happy with this.
Second jig is an assembly jig which holds the copper clad tie bar and 2 filed switch blades in the correct position for soldering.
I am trying my hardest to make the method easy to do. I believe the advised method will be, whilst everything is in the jig, to use solder paste (which I will provide on the website) so this can be applied to the joint at the bottom of the rail and onto the tie bar in a very precise manner, careful not to get it near the top of the rail. Heat is then applied to the top of the rail with a clean soldering iron tip, activating the solder paste which should flow itself into the joint cleanly.
I beleive this will be more successful then users tinning their iron and running solder in that way, as the rail is so tiny in this scale.
Would love your feedback on this, guys!
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Post by ntrain on May 20, 2013 17:29:32 GMT
When it comes to soldering, I am your worst nightmare novice. However, in theory, I do have help at hand to advise me as I go.
Having said that, if I have read things right, solder paste works very well.
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karyn
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by karyn on May 21, 2013 7:12:48 GMT
Solder paste works well if you can get both parts hot together, I'd be worried about being able to transfer the heat through the blade to the tie bar.
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Post by ntrain on May 21, 2013 7:44:30 GMT
I guess that's why we are beta testing.............
Soldering may not be one of my strong aspects, but other areas are. So, we shall see.
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Post by Wayne Kinney on May 21, 2013 8:10:30 GMT
Hopefully going to be testing this a little more today and will report back (come on postman, where are you?)
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Ste..
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Ste.. on May 21, 2013 12:32:46 GMT
Hi folks..... I only have a 25watt Antex iron at the moment.Do you think it would be a good idea to purchase a lower wattage iron (12,15,18..?) for this work,not just for the lower output,but also for the size of the tip.? Do you think dispensing the solder paste through a syringe would benefit the precision of its application for this work.? Ste.......
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Post by Wayne Kinney on May 21, 2013 12:37:14 GMT
Hi Guys,
I think the 25watt iron will be fine, a 2mm chisel iron bit is good.
I have just received the solder paste and tried it out, wow great stuff! I think this is going to be perfect for the job. I will try a syringe needle on it now.
I am waiting for some 0.4mm pins with 1mm diameter head to arrive. I believe we can solder the switch blades to pivoting pins instead of directly to copper clad, this would be best.
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Post by Wayne Kinney on May 21, 2013 12:55:42 GMT
Just tried out a syringe needle (as the paste comes in a syringe but no needle), the paste squeezes through OK so might be helpful for application.
OK, so I am going to work on the assembly jig and everything together to send to you guys. Instructions will be diagram only for now.
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Post by Wayne Kinney on Jun 14, 2013 13:16:18 GMT
OK Guys, Going to work on these filing and assembly jigs, hope to get them to you soon
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karyn
New Member
Posts: 18
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Post by karyn on Jun 14, 2013 17:34:47 GMT
Hurry up Wayne, our kitten keeps raiding my bench for plastic to chew... at this rate I'll need another sprue of chairs.
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Post by Wayne Kinney on Jun 15, 2013 9:43:22 GMT
I'll try and get the filing jigs machined tomorrow and sent out Monday
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Post by Wayne Kinney on Jun 19, 2013 11:49:56 GMT
Filing Jigs have been posted today, guys. Sorry for the delay.
Next will be an assembly Jig, and 2x cast chairs with pins that will solder to the bottom of the switch blade.
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Ste..
New Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Ste.. on Jun 20, 2013 11:03:53 GMT
Filing Jig just arrived..... Cheers Wayne...... Looks like it is going to be a real help to people like me who haven't done this before.
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Post by pelhama on Jun 20, 2013 12:45:08 GMT
Hi Wayne,
My jig has arrived as well, I'll file some switch blades when I get time once the strained muscle in my shoulder has recovered!
Cheers,
Mark
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Post by ntrain on Jun 20, 2013 14:11:16 GMT
Mine arrived also. Will have to get a file, so I can have a go.
Will sit down later and try and figure out how to use it.
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