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topic: 2803Recovery and reusing 4mm scale copperclad track
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posted: 11 Dec 2015 12:43

from:

4railsman
 
United Kingdom

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I have recovered a lot of 4mm scale code 75 copperclad track and pointwork that I built in the late 1970's ~ a lot of it being 4-rail to depict the London Transport scene, particularly the Metropolitan Line and it's A-Stock. This was at a time when no-one modelled LT, so I was alone and decided to build my layout using copperclad built track and to model the conductor rails "above running rail height" to mimic the prototypical situation ~ and in the (probably mistaken) hope that I may one day find a way to actually use the conductor rails to power the models direct. :D

That was fine until some years ago, EFE brought out their tube stock which I then wanted to run, and the only way I could achieve that with a small powered motor bogie was by using 12mm dia wheels in order to clear the motor housing between the wheels.

After recently buying the LT Musuem's new Bachmann S-stock model and finding I had the same issues, it was time to abandon my previously adopted standards, so the decision was made to rebuild with the help of Templot templates, but to a standard that I could use that would not mean having to replace every wheel on each model I bought ~ avoiding a costly and time-consuming option now that Jackson JR3 wheels are currently impossible to source.

So, all I now have left is the remains of one station board and its throat, all other trackwork having been recovered and baseboards broken up. To avoid all future problems, on this remaining baseboard I want to adjust the conductor rail heights down to the same height as the running rails whilst the track still remains in-situ.

All the track was laid on 1/8th cork, with the copperclad track glued with PVA and ballasted "at the same time" before laying conductor rails after the glue had set. When I originally built the track I put a small piece of wire under the rail to raise the height before soldering, using fluxite paste and ordinary Multicore electrical solder.

I have just done a "test length" on a recovered piece of trackwork, by unsoldering the conductor rails and removing the little piece of wire. I then tried to replace the rail using the same sleepers with the same "Fluxite" and Multicore Electrical Solder combination I used all those years ago, but it is a PIG to get the solder to flow and adhere to the copperclad. :? I certainly wouldn't contemplate reworking the existing baseboard whilst I have this issue.

I'm guessing that there may now be better "non-acidic" fluxes that I could be using, but honestly don't know where to start. Ideally, I don't want to change from using the Multicore solder as I have a large unused reel available.

Besides hearing what others regularly use as their solder/flux combination for 4mm scale copperclad construction, I would welcome comments and recommendations from anyone on this forum who has experience of actually reusing old copperclad built trackwork, to learn how they got on when trying to reconfigure the material to different radii etc after many years of use on a previous layout.

regards
Brian


posted: 11 Dec 2015 16:14

from:

Hayfield
 
United Kingdom

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I would try a liquid flux and a clean soldering iron tip if yours if dirty

posted: 11 Dec 2015 16:24

from:

Trevor Walling
 
United Kingdom

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Hello,
          Don't use acidic fluxes as cleaning it off could be a problem.It might be an idea to try no clean fluxes as used in SMD reflow work. Jelly or liquid.I think liquid is easier to vaporize and leaves less residue.
Regards. :)

posted: 11 Dec 2015 22:04

from:

Decauville1126
 
Littlehampton - United Kingdom

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As you predict, you will get lots of responses on everyones's favourite fluxes.

I've pretty much standardised on Powerflow as it can be used with lots of different solder types and can also be used on steel.

Much better value in mansize pots from Screwfix than model shops. Water washable if necessary - I just dab with a wet cotton bud.



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