I bought some two-part CW Conductive Epoxy by Chemtronics (USA); it was quite expensive (over $20/£10). I tried it for soldering rail joints, but didn't have much luck as the mixed product was too dry. I may give it another try if I can get a more fluid mixture.
The times I have soldered wire to rails, I found that using a stainless steel surgical clamp to hold the wire onto the rail was helpful - though it also adds to the heat sink effect as well.
Speaking with my ex wiremans head on, the way to do it is tin the rail, tin the wire, then make the joint - something like a Antex 15W iron will be perfectly adequate, though if you hapen to have a bigger iron to do the rail it would be nice, or even better a Weller adjustable temperature one (hot as you like for the rail, then turn it down for the wire). Doing it this way will remove the need for extra hands and get a much better joint, and not melt the insulation on the wire. Ordinary multi-core solder will do just fine.
Richard
A can of WD40 proved quite spectacular when left on the reflow oven conveyor at work.
I still reckon using a separate flux is more consistent and reliable...
Ian J.
The message from beamendsltd contains these words:
Sounds right. However, if you feel that you must hold the wire to the rail with something other than tender fingers, raid the wife's hairdressing stuff: look for a spring clip thingy (I'm told it's called a Lady Jayne), made of aluminium so solder won't stick to it, and it also has a hole which you can solder through while the wire is held firmly either side of the new joint. [Perhaps as well to point out that the wife will get upset if you keep "borrowing" them, and it reaches the stage where there are none left when she needs them... I eventually bought a pack of my own - caused a few raised eyebrows in the shop 'cos I don't have much hair.]
Wooden clothes pegs.
The message from Christopher A.Lee contains these words:
They lack that very convenient hole in just the right spot! I used to use them - right up to the time when I was using one and the wife walked into the room with the full scaffolding in place...
Are you getting the joints hot enough?
I've never had any bother with solder with flux in it!
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