In the novel Catch 22 there is a character who likes boring and or tedious things because it makes his life seem longer. If that be true, I just added about ten years to mine. On my Oregon Railroad Supply mast signals I was trying to solder 36 AWG wire (after getting the insulation off) to 1.5V LEDS. I almost had it until the last lead and it broke off the LED, so nothing to show for my efforts. On the other hand, their dwarf signals were a snap. I need two mast signals, so by the time I get done I'll be about 22 years old again. John
This signals are a real pain to assemble. I used magnet wire and with my old eyes and clunky fingers it took quite a long time. I feel your pain. GS
For tiny connections and wire, I have found that the wire that electronic prototype circuit builders use to build experimental circuits, known as wire-wrap wire with Kynar insulation, works very well. The size I use is 0.019" in diameter including insulation; compared to #36 AWG decoder wire at 0.022". It can be bought in different colors of insulation. It also will can be bent to retain a shape to go around corners, etc. John, for those of us here in KC, Electronics Supply Company carries it in small spools for reasonable prices.
I recommend using a really small solder. I use .022 or something like that. It's a video on installing a 3mm LED into a loco but this may be of some help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5KopkC2vRc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL. Ethan
John, it is possible to solder to the nub of a broken lead - I have had to do it at least once to save my own hide.
