Resistance soldering

[Roel]

I wondered if anyone here had some experience with resistance soldering. Since we are not able to buy these tools in Europe, importing them is way too expensive, I just managed to build my own...........and it works
Total cost: 10 euro's and some stuff I had lying around

[OldNoob]

I toyed with it during my Model railroading days.
I can say with certainly both quality equipment and technique are needed.
Homemade setups work, but it can be dangerous if not done right.
I will say, when done right, its super fast.

[Roel]

It is indeed superfast, and such a simple idea:) never expected it to work, but it does.
Here you cannot buy this kind of tool, only importing it will cost a small fortune

[Rokket]

I would love to know details! I bought a battery charger, a new cheap soldering iron, and I have let it sit for two years, electrodes and a foot switch are difficult. In fact, I should have just spent the huge amount of money and bought a "real" one! So tell us more!

[Roel]

I got the plans to build it from a Dutch site, but it is pretty straight forward if you see the picture that they posted.
What it comes down to is that you can make the system as advanced as you wish.
I picked up an $6 soldering iron from an outlet, took it apart and replaced the insides.
Bought a light dimmer for $10 and then some connectors and wire also some $10 to put it all together.
I had an old transformer that had been used in a machine for photographic equipment. The foot switch I did not put yet, but I got one from an old sewing machine.
I used a wooden winebox to put all inside, but I'll replace that if I find something more suitable.
The main component was the transformer and its case, which basically had all the material that I reused, a switch and so on. This is a link to an image which shows how to set it up, but alas in Dutch
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4eHmw6rsUGg/VUfKQCfBQaI/AAAAAAAAETQ/d9WHn61kqgI/s576/weerstandsolderen%2001.jpg
http://cooltrain.be/index.php/weerstandsolderen
The most important is making sure from the beginning that all connections are fixed well.
If you want I can do a translation of the whole thing:)

[Rokket]

Thanks Roel!

[Roel]

I started testing it all on leftover pieces of brass, having the dimmer in place is essential. Too much heat and you burn a hole easily. Just need to figure out which solder is best to use. I read about soldering paste.

[Roel]

First try at something decent, the iron works well, only now the guy holding it needs more practive

[GlennCauley]

Nice to hear!

I purchased a setup from MicroMark a while ago, and find it invaluable.

[Rokket]

Roel - nice work!

Glenn - good to hear. I might just pretend I never bought those pieces and one day go for a real one!

[42rocker]

Another input, late but I have used one. And of course a story that goes with.
Several years ago one of my friend/clients came in and sold me a huge box full of stuff. The stuff was a large group of "German medals" unfinished of course. A few of us might remember comics used to cost 5 to 10 cents each. After you opened the cover there was normally an ad or two. One of these ads was from this client selling "German Medals" copies, good ones.
Well part of the unfinished part was that they needed to have the pin added to the back of the medal. Well the medals were cast in "lead" and you had to solder the pin on without melting the medal. Happy to say that also in this box was a resistance soldering box and everything that goes with it. Boy did it work well.
Old, real old. But it worked and well.

On this one you had the wire that you plugged into the wall outlet which went to the box in which you dialed in the level that you wanted to work at. Then a grounding wire and then the wire that went to a carbon electrode that you touched to the area to be soldered and a foot pedal setup. Quick, real quick.

Interesting point the client was in the merchant marine and did the  Murmansk run several times. Was one of the seaman honored.

https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/11/us/50-years-later-russia-honors-us-saviors.html

Interesting client.

Ok, resistance soldering worked great for us. Need machine and good carbons and fresh flux. The solder was old but worked just fine.

The mirco mark one should work just fine. I have looked at it several times in the past. Mine can do a lot larger jobs, which is not needed in this type of work.

Later Tim

[Rokket]

Thanks for that Tim. I think I will try the micromark..one day.