Hi friends , what is the best solder to use on Lionel engines/cars,will be using a craftsman 45watt medium duty soldering iron. Thanks Frank
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I got some small flux filled solder that FORD used on cars many years ago! It is amazing!
Rosin core by Federated Fry Metals.
Jim
I like rosin core 60/40
60% tin 40% lead
Me too. 45 Watts is enough to do light wiring; 80 is necessary for joining .020 brass sheet. Cleanliness of tip and metal is the true secret.
The best solder is always the stuff you get at work. Leftover lengths and pieces. 
Mitch
We all have our favorites, here’s mine. I have the tip at 655F. It cools(solidifies) quickly.
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I use Rosin core 63/37, I solder circuit boards at 500F, and for general wiring I frequently boost it up to 600F. I normally use the Hakko FX-888D soldering station, I calibrate it every few months.
63/37 is the eutectic. 60/40 is very close - and more readily available. I forget the eutectic temperature; from memory around 370 F. 60/40 is just a few degrees more.
bob2 posted:Me too. 45 Watts is enough to do light wiring; 80 is necessary for joining .020 brass sheet. Cleanliness of tip and metal is the true secret.
What is the best way to clean the tip and metal? Does it involve the use of flux?
bob2 posted:63/37 is the eutectic. 60/40 is very close - and more readily available. I forget the eutectic temperature; from memory around 370 F. 60/40 is just a few degrees more.
An important point about the eutectic properties of 63/37 that you didn't mention, and the reason I always use it over 60/40 is that it goes immediately from a liquid to a solid at a very narrow temperature range, typically less than 1C. This greatly reduces the incidents of cold solder joints.
gunrunnerjohn posted:bob2 posted:63/37 is the eutectic. 60/40 is very close - and more readily available. I forget the eutectic temperature; from memory around 370 F. 60/40 is just a few degrees more.
An important point about the eutectic properties of 63/37 that you didn't mention, and the reason I always use it over 60/40 is that it goes immediately from a liquid to a solid at a very narrow temperature range, typically less than 1C. This greatly reduces the incidents of cold solder joints.
What brand of solder do you use? I like Kester myself.
63/37 rosin core has been the staple in my little world for several decades now. 
Rod
Arnold D. Cribari posted:What is the best way to clean the tip and metal? Does it involve the use of flux?
I use one of these:
Cleans great, and, if you take it out of the holder, you can use it to clean the metal as well!
Mitch
The Hakko iron comes with a spot for the brass cleaning "sponge", and I have a similar separate one as well. I also use the DeoxIT Tip Tinner and Cleaner.
