O scale -Best resistance soldering tool?

I use an American Beauty.

American Beauty weird name good tool.

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

George

I’m not sure if you’re in the right place either,….but a third for American Beauty,…I have an older outfit ( sanderson ) and AB,…the AB works just fine,…

Pat

Add two more for American Beauty I have the 105A12/250Watt unit and the 105C1/ 1800Watt.  The 105A will handle most anything you need to solder for model trains. It is infinitely variable between 0~250W. They have another 250W unit called the SuperChief with a pix of the AT&SF SuperChief on the face that is a couple hundred more than the 105A1 but it comes with several additional hand-piece accessories.  Their hand-pieces are rather expensive.  Good old American company they have been around for over a hundred years.   American Electrical Heater Co. Detroit.  Their first products were the first ever electric soldering irons.  I read their history many years ago and if I remember correctly they also invented the first electric clothes iron also bearing the American Beauty name.     General Electric's first soldering and clothes irons were basically knock offs of American Beauty's irons.   They, AB, have also made resistance soldering units for other companies.   While I'm on the topic of Good Old American Companies with fewer every year let me fill you in on one of the major reasons they go under or leave the US.   Congress, and a little law called "Most Favored Nation Status" !  Our lawmakers love this law they make all their "cousins" rich with it.  Anyone who wants some more specific details email me at the address in my profile and I'll send you the low down.                           j    

also if you are a virgin, to save both time and tips read up on what metals CAN be soldered to WHAT other metals,

No doubt American Beauty is a quality device but know that all a resistance solderer is is a low voltage, high current transformer with a foot switch. If you can find a 3-6 VAC 500 watt transformer you are 3/4ers of the way there. They can be found at surplus dealers and the auction sites for well under 100 bucks. A “probe” handpiece can be made with a pencil soldering iron and copper coated carbon gouging rods found at a welding supply outfit. Tweezers can be fabricated but thats an item you may want o purchase from American Beauty. Also quality foot switches and be had at the auction sites for under 20 bucks. I was able to build my 500 watt unit for less than 50 bucks.

Google “building a resistance solderer” for web sites and youtube videos to get an idea what is involved.

Pete