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Tool Review
Low Temp. Solder

by: Brian Steven Balkwill [ DSOTM ]

Low Temperature solder
Some time ago I was pulling my hair out with photo etched fenders and brackets and trying to get the two to stay glued together. I had heard about low temperature solders and ordered some from Shor International. When it arrived I promptly shelved it as I had finally got the glue to work.

Having a new set of Aber fenders to do for my Sturmtiger I thought I would now give it a try.

On the website its described as paste containing a correct mix of flux and solder with a melting temperature of 430F/220C. It arrives in a re-sealable syringe, which is about 40% full. However given the minute amounts needed to actually solder, this should last for ages.

*Note All soldering was done on an aluminium block
I squeezed some of the paste onto some styrene sheet and then used a scalpel tip to apply a tiny mount to the roughened rear surface of the fender. Heat was then applied with an inexpensive hobby microjet (it uses a standard Bic lighter inside). I only needed to apply heat for about 1.5 sec before the solder melted perfectly to the brass. A small amount was then applied to the bracket, which was placed onto the previously applied solder. The paste adheres well to brass and I had no problems keeping it on a vertical surface. Heat was then applied, again it took about 1.5 sec before both sets of solder melted together, and a perfect bond was formed. Cooling time to the point of a rigid bond was about 1.5-2sec. Excess solder was then removed with a Microdetailer. Fenders could then be bent/damaged around the joint without it shearing as with a CA joint.




Conclusion

I was amazed at how well this works. Having tried normal, and cold-solder methods with PE and had very poor results (I have been soldering for 35yrs and am no slouch), I have found the perfect method for bonding PE. I am now looking for more stuff to use it on. This product would be easy to use even by novices.



Highly recommended
SUMMARY
A quick, easy and convenient way to get professional looking results when soldering
  PRICE:90%
  EASE OF USE:90%
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: Other
  Mfg. ID: 54.801
  Suggested Retail: $12.95
  Related Link: Shor International
  PUBLISHED: Jun 03, 2006
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 91.25%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.00%

Photos
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About Brian Steven Balkwill (dsotm)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST MIDLANDS, UNITED KINGDOM

Spent time in specialised sales to militay, non-destructive testing, risk engineering, engineering underwriting surveys on mines and mineral processing plants. Modelling from Airfix days, I took a 25yr break and came back to the hobby 18month ago. Currently working on a Sturmtiger with fully detaile...

Copyright ©2021 text by Brian Steven Balkwill [ DSOTM ]. All rights reserved.


   
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Photos
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  • sol1
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  • sol4
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