Weekend Update 2/1/15

[ryan_wilkerson]

This weekend I finally tackled an LED installation. I have NEVER attempted to solder any size LED and I started with a crazy 0402 that measures 1mm x 0.5mm. When I ordered them, I knew they were small but I had no idea. I removed one from the package and immediately thought I had wasted $6 (25 LEDs) because there was no way I'm good enough to solder magnet wire on it.
So here's what I wanted to do. I picked a rather straight forward project, adding the marker lights at the rear of an Amtrak Superliner.
I used Digi-Key part # 754-1104-1-ND along with an Ngineering surface mount resistor (N3300).

I grabbed the tiny 0402 LED with tweezers and stripped the enamel insulation from the wire by running it through a bead of solder (as recommend by a few people here on TRW). I touched one wire to the LED and it stuck! I flipped it around and touched that side. What are the chances this will go up in smoke when I apply juice? To test it, I used an Ngineering N8021 LED tester which handled the resistor tasks. It hooks up to a 9v battery to do the job. I connected the magnet wire leads and it LIT UP! I was pumped to have this work the first try. I did the second one and then installed the surface mount resistor and got it all put together. I still have to tint the windows in the Superliner to get a better look to the car lights but I'm happy with the red lights at the rear. Just need to line up the glass and I'll call my first LED project a success. [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ] [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[peteski]

Nice job Ryan!  You are not a member of the exclusive 0402 soldering club!   
For that particular install you had plenty of empty space behind the marker lenses. A 0603 or 0805 size LED would have worked just a well with less stress on you during soldering.  When I solder 0402 LEDs I usually resort to using my dissecting zoom-stereo-microscope. It makes the job much easier than just a magnifier.    You do have a very good soldering iron - that is also important for the job.  Steady hand and light touch is also required.

I usually make up a strip of blue masking tape with the adhesive facing up.  To do that I split a length of 1" wide tape lengthwise into 3 strips. I glue the outside strips (adhesive-to-adhesive) on both sides of the center strip.   That way I end up with a piece of tape where the center piece has the adhesive facing up.  I stick this tape to some surface I'll be using for soldering.  Then I place the SMD LED upside down on the exposed adhesive.  That gently holds the LED in place. Then using a sharpened toothpick I put a very small amount of Radio Shack electronic soldering paste on the LED's pads.  That will make the soldering job much easier and cleaner.  Then I put a tiny amount of solder on the very tip of the iron.  Next, with one hand I hold the end of a stripped magnet wire over the LED's pad and then I touch the area with the soldering iron's tip with the solder on it.  The soldering paste does its job and I end up with a nice and clean joint. Then I repeat the process on the other side. I have to be very quick no to re-melt the first joint.  The heat from soldering softens the tape's adhesive a bit but it usually holds the LED pretty well.

[Jesse6669]

Renumbered three MT GN Grain hauler hoppers and now trying to weather them... not done yet, have to dirty the sill up some... kinda a boring project but only have three GN hoppers left and the 27 GN hopper fleet (of varying types, sizes and liveries) is done...

Looks very good and realistic.  Are you doing pre-80's (so no COTS plates?) and I think I see one of those ACI plates as well on the prototype photo. 

[Catt]

My new Z toy on my way to small new under construction mini layout.

[pjm20]

I uploaded some photos that I took coming back to college after Christmas. Here is one of a waterpipe used as a park monument in Staunton, Va. Most likely C&O.

[Puddington]

Looks very good and realistic.  Are you doing pre-80's (so no COTS plates?) and I think I see one of those ACI plates as well on the prototype photo.

I  model 1973 (these cars built in 1966) so no COTS plate - I could add an ACI plate... I haven't been consistent about adding/not adding them in the past... should re-think that......

[muktown128]

FUD's come a long way, baby!
Let us see her painted please...
Otto K.

+1. 

That transfer unit is looking good Doug!

Scott

[chicken45]

Finished my gons! Took some photos on local BANTRAK star @DeltaBravo 's sweet module.
Details on the process can be found here:
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=35130.0







And some better pictures of my F25a.

[up1950s]

Very nice Josh , love that weathering on those containers .

[tehachapifan]

Nice job with the LED's, Ryan! I purchased some of those 0402's and did even try, opting for prewired ones instead.

Chicken45, that scrap yard looks great! How did you do the scrap pile?

[Cajonpassfan]

Finished my gons!

Josh, that is sweet! Where can one get those NTZ containers (or anything NTZ), or did I miss the boat....?
Otto K.

[chicken45]

Chicken45, that scrap yard looks great! How did you do the scrap pile?

The scrap yard DOES look great! It's not mine, but @DeltaBravo 's. There's a lot of separately applied pieces with lots of metal curls. Maybe he can detail specifics.

[chicken45]

Josh, that is sweet! Where can one get those NTZ containers (or anything NTZ), or did I miss the boat....?
Otto K.

Thanks! It may be too late. Who knows. Hope DKS gets better.

[chuck geiger]

I should of taken a before photo but i forgot to. This will give you an idea of how it was painted. The whole building was like this.  Might of been ok if it was a steel building but concrete doesn't rust like that. Should be all fixed up by sunday night.

That is a great kit, saw one for like 15.00 at a show and passed, then like an idiot bought one from Klein at 35.00. They had a problem with
warped walls for a while. I need two elevators for my new layout in one area. They are not with silos. Might scratch build or look for them at
shows on online.

[Mark W]

A twelve blade eighteen car wind turbine blade train pulls out of Oakville yard...

It's beautiful!  I caught a Blade Train myself last weekend in Nebraska.