simond
Western Thunderer
I use my (home brewed) RSU lots, mainly, but not exclusively for adding details, including adding whitemetal to brass by tinning the brass first with "normal" solder, then a drop of lowmelt, loads of flux and a quick blat of heat from behind, it melts, joins & refreezes very quickly - similar approach to Raymond.
I do use solder paint with it, but I'm equally likely to use ordinary cored solder wire, possibly cut into tiny pieces, along with a drop of flux.
I think there was an article about building RSUs, possibly 20 years ago in the Gazette or MRJ?. I bought a Maplin transformer kit, which provides a 240V primary, plus iron cores. This is connected to the mains via a suitable push button, with a neon indicator, and a 2A fuse in the plug. I wrapped my own secondary from approx 2mm varnished copper wire, and it works fine. I only ever use it on "max". The whole thing is mounted in a steel box, and sits on the floor under the bench. I slip my slipper off, and press the button with my left big toe.. other digits are available. It is fully isolated, and the case & ground pin is earthed - this is important!
I did use an ally ground plate, it's ok, but gets dirty and is an effective heat sink. I now have a brass plate on top of a bit of MDF on which my smaller bench vice is mounted. This is used occasionally (thus the vice is also an earth), and is also an effective heat sink, but the simplest & best approach IMO is to fix the ground wire to the model, somewhere inconspicuous.
I also use a 25W Antex, and a ruddy great 80W Weller thing. The latter is my normal tool of choice for any heavy soldering, but the mains lead is irritatingly short.
I guess it's down to taste, but I find it to be a useful weapon in the armoury. (And I'm building in 7mm)
Best
Simon
I do use solder paint with it, but I'm equally likely to use ordinary cored solder wire, possibly cut into tiny pieces, along with a drop of flux.
I think there was an article about building RSUs, possibly 20 years ago in the Gazette or MRJ?. I bought a Maplin transformer kit, which provides a 240V primary, plus iron cores. This is connected to the mains via a suitable push button, with a neon indicator, and a 2A fuse in the plug. I wrapped my own secondary from approx 2mm varnished copper wire, and it works fine. I only ever use it on "max". The whole thing is mounted in a steel box, and sits on the floor under the bench. I slip my slipper off, and press the button with my left big toe.. other digits are available. It is fully isolated, and the case & ground pin is earthed - this is important!
I did use an ally ground plate, it's ok, but gets dirty and is an effective heat sink. I now have a brass plate on top of a bit of MDF on which my smaller bench vice is mounted. This is used occasionally (thus the vice is also an earth), and is also an effective heat sink, but the simplest & best approach IMO is to fix the ground wire to the model, somewhere inconspicuous.
I also use a 25W Antex, and a ruddy great 80W Weller thing. The latter is my normal tool of choice for any heavy soldering, but the mains lead is irritatingly short.
I guess it's down to taste, but I find it to be a useful weapon in the armoury. (And I'm building in 7mm)
Best
Simon