Jordan or Plymouth Mad
Mid-Western Thunderer
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Last edited:
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- Thread starter Jordan or Plymouth Mad
- Start date
Dikitriki
Flying Squad
Oops.
We've all been there though.
I'm reminded of the time I was working on a cylinder, attaching the detail with a microflame - my favourite tool.
I had forgotten that the brass casting would absorb a tremendous amount of heat, and when I picked it up to admire my fine work, the valve spindle guide and chest fell off, as the solder hadn't cooled.
That wouldn't have been so bad, but I was wearing shorts at the time............
Well, I invented a new dance I can tell you.
I eventually found the valve spindle guides melted into the carpet, so I had to spend some time getting melted fibres off the casting. To this day, there is a perfect scorched black mark in the carpet that looks suspiciously like an 8F valve spindle guide.
.........next to the pool of BR crimson that I spilt when I knocked the air brush off the table.
Cheers.
Richard
We've all been there though.
I'm reminded of the time I was working on a cylinder, attaching the detail with a microflame - my favourite tool.
I had forgotten that the brass casting would absorb a tremendous amount of heat, and when I picked it up to admire my fine work, the valve spindle guide and chest fell off, as the solder hadn't cooled.
That wouldn't have been so bad, but I was wearing shorts at the time............
Well, I invented a new dance I can tell you.
I eventually found the valve spindle guides melted into the carpet, so I had to spend some time getting melted fibres off the casting. To this day, there is a perfect scorched black mark in the carpet that looks suspiciously like an 8F valve spindle guide.
.........next to the pool of BR crimson that I spilt when I knocked the air brush off the table.
Cheers.
Richard
Buckjumper
Flying Squad
Ah...soldering iron horror stories, always good for a laugh, and that looks like it tingles a bit Jordan. Tea tree oil is brilliant for relieving burns, I now keep some handy in my First Aid box.
Only two major ones from me, both involving a Weller 75W beast when I got back into modelling in the 90s; I never had a proper stand for it, just one of those silly fold-up aluminium things they come that leaves the tip in the air with to stop the kitchen table from being scorched. First incident - concentrating hard on keeping two lumps of brass together I reached for the iron without looking... the scars took 10 years to disappear. In the second it was a sweltering summer evening and I was soldering wearing linen shorts (what is it with us 7mm nutters soldering while wearing shorts?). Somehow the iron bounced out of my hand and into my lap where of course out natural instinct when dropping something is to bring out legs together to catch it. Any more would be too much information, but we've had three kids since then.
The only BR crimson I've spilt is the warm stuff coursing through my veins and onto the workbench while using a Swann Morton scalpel.
Only two major ones from me, both involving a Weller 75W beast when I got back into modelling in the 90s; I never had a proper stand for it, just one of those silly fold-up aluminium things they come that leaves the tip in the air with to stop the kitchen table from being scorched. First incident - concentrating hard on keeping two lumps of brass together I reached for the iron without looking... the scars took 10 years to disappear. In the second it was a sweltering summer evening and I was soldering wearing linen shorts (what is it with us 7mm nutters soldering while wearing shorts?). Somehow the iron bounced out of my hand and into my lap where of course out natural instinct when dropping something is to bring out legs together to catch it. Any more would be too much information, but we've had three kids since then.
The only BR crimson I've spilt is the warm stuff coursing through my veins and onto the workbench while using a Swann Morton scalpel.
Phill Dyson
Western Thunderer
I'm glad it's not just me 
I have also noticed that when soldering it's a good idea to pick up a soldering iron by the cold end & also when cutting baseboards with a jigsaw that the jigsaw & my little finger are not a good combination, nothing that those terribly nice people at A&E couldn't put right though 
.............perhaps we should have a best scar competition at the next meet up
I have also noticed that when soldering it's a good idea to pick up a soldering iron by the cold end
& also when cutting baseboards with a jigsaw that the jigsaw & my little finger are not a good combination, nothing that those terribly nice people at A&E couldn't put right though .............perhaps we should have a best scar competition at the next meet up 
Dog Star
Western Thunderer
Yes, I think I said something like "Oh Bother" at the time....
Bet the air was "BLUE"
Nice one, regards, Graham
Dikitriki
Flying Squad
.............perhaps we should have a best scar competition at the next meet up
Given what Adrian and I did, perhaps not
iploffy
OC Blue Brigade
Phill Dyson
Western Thunderer
Good point that man !Given what Adrian and I did, perhaps not
Buckjumper
Flying Squad
Perhaps the thread should be renamed hot tips? 
Dan Randall
Western Thunderer
mth
Western Thunderer
Yes what is it with us 7mm nutters soldering whilst wearing shorts and doing our self a injury.............
In my case it was whilst using a Weller 100watter, just about to pick it up and sneezzed knocking the thing onto my leg.
I still have the scar to this day.
Buckjumper
Flying Squad
Jordan and a laser eraser? Perhaps it should be called tip-offs.
Now where did I put that sausage roll?
Now where did I put that sausage roll?
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
..........Directional headlights, On & Off.... that's about your lot with a 2-Function decoder.
Have now ordered a couple of 4-Function decoders.....
Standing in the Corner with the Dunce's Hat on.......
I take it that's a single function hat then..... just On
ATB, Col.
Old Buffer
Western Thunderer
Here's another Tip from the Back of the Class.... no personal injuries this time, but still proof that my place is well-deserved...
Had a very frustrating afternoon yesterday with DCC Witchcraft, trying to program a TCS Decoder so that different lights come on with different functions.
Re-soldered LEDs... added more resistors.... wired them the other way in case I'd got the + & - mixed up... tried re-mapping functions and umpty-nine CVs....
Then it dawned on me what a "2-Function Decoder" is................
Directional headlights, On & Off.... that's about your lot with a 2-Function decoder.
Have now ordered a couple of 4-Function decoders.....
Standing in the Corner with the Dunce's Hat on.......
After reading all the trials and tribulations regarding DCC, both here and elsewhere, I think I will stick to good old fashioned DC and forget about noise and lights.
Alan
S
Simon Dunkley
Guest
I agree - the bells, whistles and lights, sound, smoke units, etc are an added bonus.
However, there is another difference, which is the change in psychological focus. Until you have experienced it, you won't believe it, but even on a simple single track circuit, you are no longer running a layout but driving the engine (technically it is not a locomotive as like all electric trains it does not generate its own power). This becomes more marked when there are two or more people present, and even more so when crossing vees are powered via forg juicers which automatically set the polarity for live frog points.
At this point, the engine has to be driven accoring to the points/signals, and will derail if it isn't. That, I would argue, is the real benefit of DCC - the separation of powers between train driving and train control (in the operational sense). It is perfectly feasible to provide on-board battery power and direct, remote control (not restricted to DCC) and remove the need to power the track altogether.
But back to the OP, I would add that it is not a good idea to assume that it is safe to pick up a soldering iron by the bit because "I haven't used it for 24 hours, so it must be cool" (especially not a good idea to grasp it firmly within your fist). You may not have unplugged it, and that may also explain why the bit is looking dirty.
I was intrigued to discover that I heard the sizzle and smelt the scorched flesh before I felt the pain...
3 LINK
Western Thunderer
I take it that's a single function hat then..... just On
ATB, Col.
Classic
.ATB, Martyn.