ZiderHead
Western Thunderer
Fortunately I have a decent selection of small tools left over from a previous career as a pro-audio techie, which involved plenty of small-scale metalwork and alot of soldering.
I have a 25W Antec. Feels more like 2.5W to me, barely enough heat for even basic electronics IMO.
Luckily I was given this on one of my jobs:
Slight problem though as you can see - someone has chopped the TCP and mains cables off because its a US 110V 60Hz station and they didnt want anyone frying themselves (which is why I got it for nowt). The parts catalogue shows the EU version just has a different transformer and switch, but they are no longer available so its bodging time ...
I've ordered a suitable switch and a couple of tips from RS, but the transformer has been a real pain to source, until I noticed Maplin have similar spec ones for £15 I'm praying the mounting holes are the same, and that the iron actually works - a decent iron is the price of a loco kit after all.
Gravity riveter and some other bits and pieces are on the way from Eileen's, and this turned up yesterday:
I've only ever used 60/40 Multicore solder before (which I'm going to try to use as much as possible) but understand I'll need 70 and 145 too, and flux. Having followed the builds on www.7mmlocomotives.co.uk, I thought "I'll have what they're having!" and duly ordered their £12 kit above - seems a pretty good deal and people apparently like their flux.
I've seen it suggested that its good to build on a thick piece of float glass to keep everything level - would you guys and gals recommend that?
Also wondering about preparing the brass etches. I've noticed some people rub down the etches before building, most dont seem to. Any thoughts on that?
Jon
I have a 25W Antec. Feels more like 2.5W to me, barely enough heat for even basic electronics IMO.
Luckily I was given this on one of my jobs:
Slight problem though as you can see - someone has chopped the TCP and mains cables off because its a US 110V 60Hz station and they didnt want anyone frying themselves (which is why I got it for nowt). The parts catalogue shows the EU version just has a different transformer and switch, but they are no longer available so its bodging time ...
I've ordered a suitable switch and a couple of tips from RS, but the transformer has been a real pain to source, until I noticed Maplin have similar spec ones for £15 I'm praying the mounting holes are the same, and that the iron actually works - a decent iron is the price of a loco kit after all.
Gravity riveter and some other bits and pieces are on the way from Eileen's, and this turned up yesterday:
I've only ever used 60/40 Multicore solder before (which I'm going to try to use as much as possible) but understand I'll need 70 and 145 too, and flux. Having followed the builds on www.7mmlocomotives.co.uk, I thought "I'll have what they're having!" and duly ordered their £12 kit above - seems a pretty good deal and people apparently like their flux.
I've seen it suggested that its good to build on a thick piece of float glass to keep everything level - would you guys and gals recommend that?
Also wondering about preparing the brass etches. I've noticed some people rub down the etches before building, most dont seem to. Any thoughts on that?
Jon