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Author Topic: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes  (Read 1397 times)

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rochsub

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Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« on: October 11, 2009, 10:20:39 AM »
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If only I had an android that could build my turnouts this fast. It actually took 42 minutes.

« Last Edit: October 11, 2009, 11:24:36 AM by rochsub »
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Puddington

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Re: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2009, 11:11:30 AM »
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A few things come to mind............

1. It must have been Data because only a artifical life form could have done all that work and not cut himself to ribbons on the x-acto knife with the blade facing out that was mm's from "it's" right hand !!!! ;D

2. That's mighty fine craftsmanship.......

3. That's a heck of a lot of work for a turnout...... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice work, great soundtrack too..............
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Model railroading isn't saving my life, but it's providing me moments of joy not normally associated with my current situation..... Train are good!

Dave Schneider

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Re: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2009, 04:02:25 PM »
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Cool video. Thanks for sharing this. What is the tool in your left hand? It seems like you use it to position things and also hold the solder.

Best wishes, Dave
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rochsub

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Re: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2009, 07:10:53 PM »
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Quote from: Dave Schneider on October 11, 2009, 04:02:25 PM
Cool video. Thanks for sharing this. What is the tool in your left hand? It seems like you use it to position things and also hold the solder.

Best wishes, Dave

I think the tool you are referring to is a triangle file.  In addition to filing, I also use it to hold the rail down against the pc ties when soldering.  It does not hold the solder.  The solder is on the iron tip and flows onto the joint due to the flux.

Daryl
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Dave Schneider

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Re: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2009, 07:28:54 PM »
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Thanks Daryl. You were just moving so fast it was hard to see how you were getting the solder. I thought there might be some sort of cool rail and solder tool that I hadn't seen before!

Best wishes, Dave
« Last Edit: October 12, 2009, 12:07:24 AM by Dave Schneider »
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If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

rochsub

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Re: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2009, 10:52:33 PM »
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Dave, if your really interested in building turnouts, check out the fast tracks website for instructional videos.

www.handlaidtrack.com

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Walkercolt

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Re: Commander Data builds a turnout in 3 minutes
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2009, 02:36:56 AM »
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The "magic" solder tool for hand-building turnouts is an American Beauty Resitance Solder Station. They come in 0-100 watt and 0-250 watt models. The 100 watt is enough (you'll probably have it turned down 90% of the time). You'll want the medium tweezers and the "contact" electrodes (as well as the footswitch). Then buy a gallon (only way it comes, sadly) of Kester 497 liquid flux, or if you prefer, they make a "no-clean flux" for lead-free solder. Both are about $45 a gallon. 97% tin-3% silver solder IS stronger, but melts at a higher tempature than lead-tin solder, and is more exspensive. With a resitance soldering unit, once you get the "hang" and the rhythem of it down, you'll be dangerous! You're looking at about $500 new, but occasionaly re-furbished units surface on ebay for less than half that. That how I got my 250 watt unit 10-12 years ago. PBL (the Sn3 guy) also sells "his" brand of resitance units. Haven't checked his web-site in years... 8)
Really, I loaned mine to an HO friend who bought the "Fast Tracks" tools, and he was turning out a switch in under 30 minutes in about a week. He's made over 200 turnouts for his RR by hand. He built them to "tighter" than NMRA specs, based on the wheelsets he is using. Creeping through 5 of them into his ten track staging yard proves how well they are made. 8)
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