This is not because I am in any doubt about its benefits as a method of construction, but more that I have never done much of it and when confronted by a situation where it might be an option I am likely to either pass it over to Himself to do, or find a way of gluing the parts together.
It's what I've always done with the brass parts on my resin wagons and what I advise in the kit instructions to keep construction straightforward.
On the latest build of some B Wagons for a customer I decided the time had come to be brave and try and solder the parts together as much as possible.
I'm rather pleased with the results, I must say.
It was less fiddly than I expected.
Soldering is very different to gluing pieces together. Not only do you get an instant, and solid, joint but also because you can't hold it in place as well because:
a) you have to hold the soldering iron in one hand, and it's a bit more awkward than a tube of glue
and
b) the bits get bloody hot!
This, of course, was my major concern when soldering parts which were attached to, and in close proximity to, a resin body. One false move and the whole model is ruined.
Fortunately by using relatively low melt solder and some good flux I only had to apply the iron for a second or so for the joints to be made, and I can't help noticing they feel much more solid than ones I have glued previously.
Why did it take me so long to start doing it this way?
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