How To Solder Copper Pipes - Page 5 - DIY Chatroom

Red Squirrel · 11-03-2009, 07:35 PM

That was a useful tutorial. I've never done it before, but been thinking of trying, and water pipes scare me more then anything else as far as DIY so I want to make sure I do it the right way!

skymaster · 11-03-2009, 07:49 PM

Squirrel: CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN AD INFINITUM !!!!!
once all parts are cleaned DO NOT TOUCH THE AREA with your hands, apply flux to ALL parts,make sure all pipes are bottomed into the fittings, heat AWAY from the joint and draw the solder into the joint, it will suck right into and run thru by itself and you will see it start to drip out, keep a rag with you and once soldered gently WIPE the joint.

See it is that EZ. After a few hundred times it becomes second nature

Red Squirrel · 11-03-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

Squirrel: CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN AD INFINITUM !!!!!
once all parts are cleaned DO NOT TOUCH THE AREA with your hands, apply flux to ALL parts,make sure all pipes are bottomed into the fittings, heat AWAY from the joint and draw the solder into the joint, it will suck right into and run thru by itself and you will see it start to drip out, keep a rag with you and once soldered gently WIPE the joint.

See it is that EZ. After a few hundred times it becomes second nature

Yeah I'm sure it becomes easy and less "scary". I used to feel a bit the same way about electrical and now I'm doing it like 2nd nature. The other day was totally random. "it's kinda dark in this room" a minute latter I'm running a new socket from the existing light and have more light within half an hour.

What scares me with water pipes is the possible pending disaster if I screw up, but don't screw up bad enough for immediate issues. I have servers in my basement. Guess I'm just paranoid.

**thekctermite** · 11-04-2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbwillner

Why not? The heat guns heat up to 1000 degrees, and from what I understand, the solder melts at 240 degrees. I saw a guy who said he does it without problems- but I really haven't seen too much info about it. I just bought a milwaukee heat gun (570/1000 degrees) hoping I could also use if for this purpose (in addition to others)- it even comes with an attachment for soldering pipe (hook nozzle).
Here it is-
http://www.milwaukeetool.com/Product...C%3a+Heat+Guns

Just wondering if anyone had tried this- otherwise will go with the torch.

Thanks.

Go with the torch. It is tried and true and inexpensive for a basic model that'll get the job done. Plus it is fun to melt things with fire.

The idea is to get the fitting hot in a hurry, not to warm it up slowly. If too much time is taken...No matter how much heat you have...The flux will boil right out.

If heat guns worked for soldering copper pipes you'd see professional plumbers using them (and you don't). It would certainly be cheaper than a professional turbotorch and the associated gases and bottles that they have to pay to refill.

**Scuba_Dave** · 11-04-2009, 09:33 AM

Can you refill the small propane & Mapp bottles?
Or are they just disposable ?

Ron6519 · 11-04-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba_Dave

Can you refill the small propane & Mapp bottles?
Or are they just disposable ?

The ones sold around here are not refillable. It should specify the parameters on the cannister.
Ron