Gaugemaster GM Solder Station
Reviewed by: George Dent Product code: GM661 Price: £29.95 Availability: Gaugemaster Tel: 01903 884488 Web: www.gaugemaster.com
Like it or loathe it, soldering is a process that every railway modeller needs to master. Whether it be adding power feeds to the tracks, repairing or modifying locomotive mechanisms or assembling metal kits, it’s essential to employ a decent soldering iron, so that reliable bonds can be made. There are plenty of irons out there, offering different power outputs and each with their own foibles. Those that offer the facility of adjusting the iron’s temperature are a great help, allowing you to work with a broader range of materials or to protect delicate electrical components. Temperature-controlled irons have traditionally been expensive luxuries, aimed mostly at professional modellers. However, good-quality units have become more affordable recently and this great new soldering station from Gaugemaster is a real bargain. The mains-powered unit features a dial temperature adjustment, with colour-coded indicators to give an idea of temperature output. With the dial set in the ‘yellow’ zone, the iron is heated to approximately 1500C, while ‘orange’ spans the 150-2700C range. The ‘red’ area sees the iron heated from 2700C to a maximum of 4000C. While no exact tip temperature readout is provided, the colour-coded system is effective. Nonetheless, testing on scrap materials before treating the workpiece is recommended - and time must be allowed for the tip to cool from a higher setting. With a maximum output of 45 watts, it’s suitable for all manner of electrical and kit-building tasks in a variety of metals (especially brass and nickel silver). All but the smallest or thinnest whitemetal components can also be bonded, using the lowest setting and suitable low-temperature solder and flux. The iron itself comes with a pre-tinned, cone-shaped tip which is perfect for electrical work, but not so great for kit building as only a small area of material can be heated at a time. Indeed, the bulky iron shaft makes it difficult to lay the tip on its side to broaden the area being heated. Furthermore, when soldering power feeds, the broad shaft can be liable to melting nearby sleepers unless wielded carefully. The whole unit is compact and lightweight enough to sit in the bottom of a tool box. An integral sponge is provided for cleaning the tip, which itself can be easily replaced if necessary. Spare tips are available, although not in other shapes or sizes. A few quibbles aside, this is an excellent entry-level soldering station at an impressive price.