Dart 7 1/4

Please Any tips regarding soldering "half round brass beading" to edge of side tanks and cab etc.

The beading on the legs of this one is superglued in place with pegs, patience and peseverance. Secret for solder and glue is bend it to shape first as any spring in it will spoil, the job. Make tight bends in a grooved rod, then flatten them in the vice.

Neil

Thanks Neil but can't use super glue on edge of bunker as when it reaches driving stage, it will get too much strain and will probabally come unstuck.

I agree with you Chris

I use soft solder with bakers fluid with the beading held on by wooden clothes pegs (they do get a bit incinerated in the process!). Arax 96S has a bit of silver in it and has much more strength than ordinary soft solder. As you are building in 7.25"g you might like to add a few 1/32" dia rivets as well.

Cheers,

Julian

Thanks Julian I can't see how I can use rivets ? The side panels of the tanks are 1/16 brass , the beading is 3/16 half round brass it has to be soldered on top to form a T section the problem is holding together while soldering ? Thanks

I done mine like Neil said bend the whole thing up first, don't be shy with annealing, clamp in place with grooved aluminum block over the half round where bends and radii need to be, if needed flatten in the vice(with protected jaws) and complete the section. clean thoroughly with steel wool, flux up and give it a good layer of solder. Treat the edge of the recipient with solder as well. Clamp near the starting point and apply heat gently and as soon as the solder melts grab the heated end with a pair of pliers till it's cooled complete this until the whole circle is done To clean up excess solder apply clamp reheat briefly and wipe off the unwanted solder using a dry cotton cloth.

Technique is essentially teh same whether you use glue or solder.

But T-section? I think I'd make up some custom shaped hold-downs from aluminium offcuts clamped with wooden pegs - cut a half-'T' in each of two pads for opposite sides so they grip the vertical but hold the top beading in place. Aluminium is both easty to shape and won't stick if you get solder on it.

Neil

Thanks Neil, I'll try that. Chris

Thanks also Mikelkie, sounds good, will try Chris