TWT83100 rail soldering jig.

Sorry, forgot a better identity. BVI RAIL TOOL, TWT83100

https://www.buildtoolcraft.com/product-tag/bvi-rail-tools/

 

Currently showing $8.08.  

 

David

why not solder the rails aligned with a rail joiner?    just soldering rails together is likely to break over time due to temperature variations.  height of different code rails can be matched with some extra metal on one side of a rail joiner use to align and solder rails.

I assume you’d use rail joiners with this jig.  Rail joiners on their own don’t adequately ensure that the two rails are inline with each other - in other words, joiners don’t ensure there isn’t a slight kink quite as well as a jig like this one.  Especially if you’re trying to join two different sizes of rail.  I used a home made clamp aligner that just did one rail at a time when I was in O scale, it did make a difference in the smooth flow.

This tool is completely unnecessary. I've been soldering rail of different sizes together for years, and it's very easy to do. I install a rail joiner halfway onto the larger rail, then crush the rest of the joiner. I add a blob of silver-bearing solder to the top of the crushed part of the joiner, then position the smaller rail over the joiner, butted up against the larger rail. Holding the smaller rail with a pair of needlenose pliers, I reheat the joiner to remelt the solder, then move the rail around a bit until I get the top and inside edges of the rails aligned. Remove the heat and a few seconds later I have a solid connection. Sometimes I have to remelt the solder and make small adjustments a time or two, but I always get a smooth transition in only a very small amount of time. None of these solder joints has ever broken loose (now watch. I'll go into the train room today hand have to re-solder several of them).

 

I've joined code 100 to 83, 83 to 70, 70 to 55, and 100 to 70.

Mark, as with many tools, you can do without it.  But some of us find it easier to get a better result with something like it.  That could either be because we’re clutzier, or because we’re picker, or perhaps both.  Either way if you get results you’re happy with without it, then you’re right it’s unnecessary for you.

 

 

When I went to poke around other parts of that website I get couldflare 520 errors - something is up with the host.  That does not inspire confidence.

Yes, a tool like that that holds rail in alignment can, but you need to solder while the flex track is still straight, then curve it.  Makes for very nice joints on curves.

I'm still waiting for a tool that pre-curves rail consistently and accurately right to the VERY END of a piece.

 

Andy

Has anyone ordered from this company? https://www.buildtoolcraft.com/product-tag/bvi-rail-tools/

I nosed aroind a littlem and it seemed a little sketchy. No phone, no address. Really cheap prices.

I'd like to see a picture of the tool in use - it's not obvious to me quite how it's used.

A little miniature blacksmithing can create a compromise joiner for different rail sizes. To make one slide a joiner on short pieces of the two rail sizes, turn the assembly upside down on a flat (anvil like) surface and hammer on the joiner on the small rail portion till the top of the two rail pieces are aligned flat on the anvil and the joiner has a nice step near its middle. Remove the joiner from the short pieces and install on the layout using a bit of solder for final alignment. Much easier to do than explain in text .....DaveB