Soldering Questions

[GN Fan]

I am going to be attaching 22 gauge solid wire to my Atlas code 55 track. 
Question 1. I bought 60/40 rosin core solder.  What is the 60 and what is the 40.
Question 2. Do I need to apply rosin to the track and to the wire before I tin them?  The solder already has "rosin core."

Thanks

Tom

[peteski]

Tom,
It is 60% tin and 40% lead.
I recommend reading through https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solder (it also explains the 60/40 thing).  It is a bit lengthy, but very informative. feel free to skip some sections.    You can just search that page for "60/40".

I use extra flux, even with rosin-core solders. My favorite is the Radio Shack Electroinc Paste Flux.  Do not even think of using any acid-based fluxes on any electrical items.

[eja]

You may find this useful too.


http://www.wiringfordcc.com/solder.htm

[strummer]

Tom,
I use extra flux, even with rosin-core solders. My favorite is the Radio Shack Electroinc Paste Flux.  Do not even think of using any acid-based fluxes on any electrical items.

I agree on all three of these points.

Mark in Oregon

[ljudice]

Following the advice given here recently (specifically - use flux in the rail web - and cleaning the iron frequently on a damp sponge - I went from 5% success to 100% with stong, clean joints....