is there a way to connect flex-track to other flex-track, or a bridge, turnout, etc. WITHOUT soldering it? I have a "solder sucker" to desolder joints, but the directions for it are somewhat confusing, and I must be using it wrong or something; cause it worked twice but now doesn't work. (it's called the VYPER and I bought it from Harbor Frieght Tools. Everyone I've told about it says it works GREAT!!)
At my club we never solder flextrack, except on curves. All flextrack is joined by rail joiners and each piece has feeders. This ensures that we will never have to tear track out to fix electrical continuity problems. Each piece is gapped with a credit card. Over the length of the layout, this ensures adequate space for expansion. To solder the curves, all the pieces needed in the curve are laid out with rail joiners on a straight flat surface and then soldered together. This prevents kinking when the track is curved. As for your "solder sucker", it is probably plugged up with solder. If it is metal with a bulb, you should be able to heat it up and then work the bulb rapidly to clear it.
My wallet is gapped with my credit card. Over the length of my life, this ensures that I'll be in the poor house.
