Tight solder joint

[thehomeengineer]

Hi All
I am starting to build the water tank for my 3” scale Foden steam wagon. This will be soft soldered and riveted. When riveted there is no gap for the solder to capillary into the joint. So to overcome this issue I cut grooves in the mating part to allow the solder to run into the joint. Normally I would simply use a file to cut the groove but recently I was given a rusty Adept hand operated shaper which I resorted so thought I would use it to cut these grooves. This was far easier than filling and certainly a lot quicker. The photos below show the process and result.

Cutting across the rivet holes so a water tight seal can be achieved as well as creating a stronger joint.

These angles will be used to support the plates for the internal baffles.

Completed angles ready for soldering. Flux is placed between the joint before riveting.

As can be seen the solder has flowed through the joint and therefore around the rivets.

Just requires cleaning ready to solder too the side plates of the tank

I also use this method for silver soldering so the solder can capillary freely through the joints.

Thank you for viewing

The Home Engineer

[tooly]

That's a good idea I have used a similar method . on drill extensions and Milling cutters, also drill as small cross hole at the botom of the extenson rod which stops the tool bobbing out and confirms the joint.

[Jon]

Congratulations thehomeengineer - your riveted solder joint tip is the Tool Tip of the Month for April 2026!

This is a clever and effort-saving solution for a strong riveted solder joint.

Some more good tool tips from April:

Plane Chipbreaker Tips by Make Things
Consistent Accurate Marking by Make Things
Plywood Trimming by Make Things
Jig Knobs by Make Things
Glue-Sizing by Make Things


To enter your tool tip in our monthly contest, just post it here in the Tool Tips and Tricks subforum.

thehomeengineer - we've added your Tool Tip to our All Tool Tips of the Month winners post.

You've also won our 3-time tool tip award, now visible in the awards showcase in your postbit, beneath your username:



And, you'll be receiving a $100 cash prize, in your choice of Amazon, PayPal, or bitcoin. Please PM me your current email address and prize choice and I'll get it sent over right away.

Congrats again

[hemmjo]

That is a cool little machine!!!! Have never seen one before.

[thehomeengineer]

That is a cool little machine!!!! Have never seen one before.

Thank you for your interest this is a link to the shaper I posted a while back on HMT
Adept hand shaper

The Home Engineer