Charlie, get yourself an upholstery tack hammer. Perfect for tacking tracks. Greetings from Colorado USA.

@ChadwickModelRailway

4 жыл бұрын

A fair point Dave

Hello Charlie, I'm just watching your soldering technique. It looks like you may be getting a few "dry joints" which might be adding resistance to the current applied to the track. When I was taught how to solder as part of my electronic assembly training, I was taught never to carry solder on the iron. By tinning the wire first and then tinning the track with small amounts of solder, holding the solder to the iron and track/wire while heating, you are ensuring better adhesion. Then to join the two together, heat the track first and bring the wire to it and lift when the solder on both melts. Best wishes Graham

@ChadwickModelRailway

Жыл бұрын

Sound advice, Graham. In my defence, it’s quite an old video and I have changed my technique since then. Stay safe, regards, Charlie

@gpc39

Жыл бұрын

​Understood. No intention to offend; I've been watching your videos for a while and had gone back to see some of the earlier videos and this was the first one I saw with soldering..

@ChadwickModelRailway

Жыл бұрын

No problem Graham. Regards Charlie

Charlie, It is easy to tug on the droppers and pull them off the solder joints on the track. So I use Locktite Foam for Projects not only to hold the track pins down but to also put a dab in the feeder hole to seal it. This also gives strength to support the dropper wires securely. Also, when drilling for droppers, put a straw down thru and then thread the wires thru the straw. Lastly, pull the straw back out from underneath. This provides a race way for the wires so they do not snag on the walls of the benchwork. Bob

@ChadwickModelRailway

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Bob, thanks for your views. I do like the idea of gluing the wire into the feeder hole for extra protection against pulling off the feeder cables. Regards Charlie

I've only recently discovered your channel, and I've watched a few of your clips in anticipation of rebuilding my layout after a move to a larger room. I have to say that the only thing I ever managed to learn in Metalwork classes at Secondary School in the 1960s is that Davies does not solder! When I came back to model railways after a gap of thirty years or so, I started using the Peco wired rail joiners (PL80 for Code 100). I find them a very useful way of avoiding the need to solder. Keep up the good work - greetings from Southampton!

@ChadwickModelRailway

5 жыл бұрын

Hi Peter, I’m so pleased that you enjoy my videos. I feel certain that “if Davies puts his mind to it, he will soon master the dark art of soldering”. Good luck with your layout. Regards Charlie

Hi Charlie, I like the way you bond the red and black wires to the points rather than feeding from the toe end, makes it a lot easier. Thanks for sharing, John.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi John, I’m glad that you enjoyed the video. Regards Charlie

Very helpful! Looking foreword to the bus wire video as it's one of the things I can't get my head around. Thanks for the tips as always. Regards, Charlie

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie

That was an excellent video! It's good to see that I'm not the only person who solders droppers 'under' the trail, rather than to the side. As you said, it's a small touch that makes for a much more realistic looking layout! The only place I would solder to the side, would be in a fiddleyard where it wouldn't matter. Looking forward to the next one.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie

Nice video on wiring up points, very clear instructions, wish I had carried this out. I did make one good choice in using Colbalt motors once one worked easy install to program.Richard

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi, Richard, I’m glad that you enjoyed the video. I’m going with tortoise but I’m sure that they are similar. Regards Charlie

Great video Charlie, I'm just starting out (in N Gauge) and I'm confused about many things but your vids are starting to help me see the light at the end of the (Box) tunnel. Subscribed!

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Regards Charlie

Good tutorial and update Charlie 😉 I’ll be following you as your layout grows 👍 Stevie.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Stevie, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Regards Charlie

Excellent how to video just what I am working on at the moment many thanks for sharing Denis

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Glad to help Dennis. If have any further video ideas please let me know. Regards Charlie

I use kitchen pastic wrap to protect from the PVA, works wonders ! as for the point motor, you can use a £2 SG90 servo and some 0.6mm piano wire. you may want to remove the spring in the point though ;-)

@ChadwickModelRailway

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks AJ.

Very Informative Charlie, and well explained. Look forward to the next episode........John.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi John, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Regards Charlie

Great job.. making things neat and clean...thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.. Lance

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Lance, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie

Another great instructive update. Thanks Charlie.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi John, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie

Hi Great little video must admit hated having to solder but once i had dived in and practiced a few time it does start to fall into place and gets better as you find what works and what doesn't i feel a lot my soldering has improved a lot now but there is always something new to learn so always watching you tube for tips. thanks for sharing charlie look forward to your next video cheers .... Pete

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Pete, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it. Regards Charlie

thanks for the upload another well explained tutorial thanks looking forward to part 3

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it.

Hi Charlie Interesting video, I've noticed a lot of people not even using flux and have wondered how they actually solder?, I always use flux and get really good results. It's as you mentioned once you get the right kit and have a bit of practice it all drops into place. I have quite a bit of soldering to do adding droppers etc so nice to see your method and Ive taken on a few tips. Looking forward to the power bus video next week as it's another area I need to work on. Cheers Paul

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, yes soldering in the early days is a black art and I still have by bad days! Now on to the bus!

@DungeWoodRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Chadwick TMD I know what you mean lol Yes looking forward to seeing the bus. I'm using one of those circular wire Junction boxes and have wires coming out, two runs go left, one fiddle and one upper scenic section, same on the right. Then there's the power feed from the control going in. I'm in the process of refitting it as I managed to break the screw connector inside! Son of hulk tightening the screws... I saw the idea on KZread and it seemed like a good idea... Cheers

@ukdieselandelectricrailway1890

6 жыл бұрын

I haven't started building my new layout yet (still in the planning stage), but when I do, I plan to use jelly-crimps for connecting my droppers to the bus.

@tomlawton7087

6 жыл бұрын

I suspect that most people use electronic solder, which is multicore and so contains flux. However, releasing the flux requires the solder has melted, so tends to result in overheated items. Providing the flux separately improves that, but can allow excess flux, which because of the corrosive nature of flux, can result in damage to the wire or rail. Cleaning off the flux (after the joint is made) is therefore recommended. Note that remaking the joint onto a pretinned pad does not require more flux.

Cutting the top off of a sleeper pin isn't really necessary. Just use a small punch or small nail to mark where to drill, then remove the nail and then remove the point

@ChadwickModelRailway

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Errol, good tip. Regards w

Thanks for another very informative video.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed it Greg. Regards Charlie

Great how to ... I’m loving your videos

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video.

Great videos. I am going to start building a layout soon.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Peter, I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your project. Regards Charlie

Great video. I also use flux all the time. It’s good practice.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Good for you Alan, I’m not alone.

Hi Charlie. Instead of tapping in a track pin to locate the position for your 6.5mm hole for the point operating wire, why not just hold the point central as you do, but drill a 1mm hole instead? Regards, Bob.

@ChadwickModelRailway

5 жыл бұрын

Fear of damaging the point I’m afraid.

Wish I had seen this video Charlie before I wired my track, my wiring is attached to side of rails and took some caming up to hide wires in places. Kev

@ChadwickModelRailway

4 жыл бұрын

But we learn and move on. So did I too originally!

Can't say I am particularly bothered by the sound of solenoid motors, at least you know they're working. Though obviously the slow action ones are superior but that does come with a price.

@ChadwickModelRailway

3 жыл бұрын

They just seem to spoil the illusion with sound locos.

@hughoconnor9172

3 жыл бұрын

@@ChadwickModelRailway Ah I never thought of that. Not being a great lover of sound loos - they don't sound quite right to me - maybe if they went through a 20+ watt amplifier??? To get back, I can see they could interfere with loco sounds, if only momentarily!

Hi great video you mentioned about going through soldering iron tips, as some one who is new to soldering could you please tell us more thanks mike

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi, I’ll see what I can do. Regards Charlie

Hello Charlie, What is your opinion of painting baseboards before doing any work on them (after they are built)?

@ChadwickModelRailway

4 жыл бұрын

I don’t see any real advantage Wallace. Except that the colour might be more acceptable to you during your build process. However if it’s a porous baseboard such as MDF, then it would require sealing and the paint might help.

Hi Charlie. Thank you so much for the very many helpful tips. I would be interested to know the Wattage of the soldering iron that you use.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi, it’s a 50 watt iron but you can turn down the heat. I used it on full power. Regards Charlie

@russellwilliams9856

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your reply. Please keep the helpful hints coming.

Hello Charlie, super video and very helpful information! Very true, soldering does take a bit of practice but all the practice helps to improve skills. Are you going for a full roll out of Train Controller for this layout too? Cheers Des :)

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Des, I'm pleased that you liked the video and yes Train Controller will be running this new addition. Changing the subject somewhat, I was looking through your videos to ascertain which snap connecters you use to connect cables to your bus. Please let me know which type you use? Regards Charlie

@DJModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Chadwick TMD I didn’t, I soldered the Rail B wires to a bus wire of twin and earth thick cable (using the brown wire). Then the Rail A back to the BDL168. As much as those type of connectors work most of the time, I don’t like them especially in my past experience they don’t always ensure a good connection. Cheers Des

Hi , I really enjoy your video's thanks for sharing them. I wondered if you had watched any of Ken Pattersons video's on KZread and considered laying your track on foam (insulation board) rather than using cork ? I presume you probably have but if not it's maybe something you could consider for other parts of your layout. Thanks.

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Herr Kiwi, I’ll check out Ken’s video. I have used soft foam but not insulation board. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the video. Regards Charlie

@herrkiwi3110

6 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/iZZllpmSYbmvgJs.html kzread.info/dash/bejne/hGltt5J9l7afcrA.html Here's a couple for you. He has a weekly podcast with the "What's Neat This Week" show all American products but some really helpful information and a monthly show as well. Your video on the Digitrax wiring was very helpful. However it is quite expensive here in New Zealand so I am continuing with Marklin and just returning to the hobby and building a layout at home. Look forward to your next video. Kind Regards Richard.

What kind of wattage iron would you recommend? I'm struggling with my soldering a bit and wonder if my iron is a bit feeble.

@ChadwickModelRailway

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Matt, please check out the “show more” tab on my latest videos. There’s a good solder station, that I use, listed there.

Try baking paper (grease-proof paper) instead. Glue shouldn't stick to it

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Good point, or less PVA 😀!

Sorry to drag you back a couple of years, but early on in this one you mention not wanting to have all the joins at the edge of the board as it could cause problems. Could you explain that a bit more please?

@ChadwickModelRailway

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Mike, Just because of any difference in board height would bring on uneven track height.

@miketreehouse

3 жыл бұрын

@@ChadwickModelRailway Excellent, thank you that makes sense. I'm coming back to this hobby after a long absence and your vidoes have been a real inspiration!

Maplin is closing?!

@ChadwickModelRailway

6 жыл бұрын

Oh yes, along with “Toys r us” too!

@JamesPetts

6 жыл бұрын

I knew about Toys 'R' Us, but not (until to-day) Maplin. There is a branch of Maplin very near where I work, and it is most useful for purchasing electronics at short notice.