etched brass kits - advice please

[aleopardstail]

Pondering MSE kits for signals

I have a temperature controlled soldering iron, but seeking advice on what else I likely need to successfully assemble such a kit.

the instructions note 188, 150 and 70 degree solder, guessing thats the temperature it melts, not what the iron needs to be set to (set a bit higher but not enough to melt the next one up?)

what else?

trying to avoid getting such a kit and finding I always need one more thing to be successful

[centenary]

Pondering MSE kits for signals

I have a temperature controlled soldering iron, but seeking advice on what else I likely need to successfully assemble such a kit.

the instructions note 188, 150 and 70 degree solder, guessing thats the temperature it melts, not what the iron needs to be set to (set a bit higher but not enough to melt the next one up?)

what else?

trying to avoid getting such a kit and finding I always need one more thing to be successful

Some good flux and suitable sized iron tip! Ive found the DCC Concepts liquid flux to be excellent. Leaves no residue or discolouration. They also sell 2 types of solder, 1 they recommend for use of soldering brass kits.

[Bigmet]

Sounds like delicate work. You may find locking forceps / clamps helpful to hold pieces in aligment with no PAIN!

[aleopardstail]

Sounds like delicate work. You may find locking forceps / clamps helpful to hold pieces in aligment with no PAIN!

think I have some of the locking tweezers somewhere (the ones you press to open not to close), I'm used to soldering small stuff, so far my only etched kit didn't exactly go well

[Bigmet]

...so far my only etched kit didn't exactly go well.

It' s fifty years past, in a previous millenium even, that I 'discovered' that as with so many things in life, etched kits can be: the good; the bad; the ugly; and the outright impossible, AKA 'scratch aid'.

Matters are now much improved regarding an appreciation of the basics of geometry, and limits and fits, especially in the matter of kits to provide mechanisms that will work reliably... It's a few years since I last assembled one, and would repeat the full geometric and dimensional assessment before any solder comes into play, should there ever be another.

[aleopardstail]

...so far my only etched kit didn't exactly go well.

It' s fifty years past, in a previous millenium even, that I 'discovered' that as with so many things in life, etched kits can be: the good; the bad; the ugly; and the outright impossible, AKA 'scratch aid'.

Matters are now much improved regarding an appreciation of the basics of geometry, and limits and fits, especially in the matter of kits to provide mechanisms that will work reliably... It's a few years since I last assembled one, and would repeat the full geometric and dimensional assessment before any solder comes into play, should there ever be another.

oh the kit was fine, 2mm Finescale 16t mineral wagon, etched chassis, just took a while to sort a suitably beefy soldering iron and suitable tip, went a bit banana shaped before I wreaked it totally

will probably get a signal kit to try it