Fluxuator - useful gimick or just useful?

[gmartine]

After binning 1/4 of a large pot of flux because it was filthy and contaminated I'm thinking again about buying one, any converts?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Nope just another thing to carry / you have to use there flux

 

[Harvest Fields]

The video on the net about it makes it look quite good. I’m happy with a small pot and a brush for now myself though. They do intrigue me though.

 

[Dan]

PIPE FLUX - WHICH ONE DO I USE - Fluxuator Review

• Dan
• Oct 17, 2019
• 1

We all need to use pipe flux to clean copper pipe and ensure a water tight, neat solder. In this...

 

[Stigster]

After binning 1/4 of a large pot of flux because it was filthy and contaminated I'm thinking again about buying one, any converts?

Have you been "hot brushing" your fittings with flux and a brush immediately after soldering? Some of our apprentices and other guys do that but I disagree with it. You get all sorts of filth into the flux tub doing that, bits of burned brush and contamination rubbish from the soldered joint going in there.

I'm a fan of using a small tub of La-Co with a brush built into the lid. I just refill the little tub from a larger one when it gets low.

I won't be buying a fluxuator.

 

[gmartine]

@Stigster

Yes quite guilty as charged but it still seems like a fairly efficient way of applying the right amount of flux, quarter of a turn and your done.

 

[centralheatking]

My building business partner in Bath years ago, Fat Frank used a match to scoop out the Laco from my tub of the
stuff and put it onto the end feed fittings, anyway the red stuff on the end of his live matches de activated the flux...end result a whole airing cupboard had to be re plumbed
every joint leaked and they blamed me until we found out ...small pin hole leaks
on every fitting...when we meet up for dinner every so often this and my mistakes are
always discussed after a few drinks.....centralheatking at the end of the day we did well
in the 80s thro 90s and sold up well ahead of the game

 

[king of pipes]

Gimmick I would say I have always used ever flux clean the pipe and fitting only ever apply to the pipe and never over do it a light smear is all it takes, a hole big enough in the tubs lid to pass the flux brush through avoids contamination .kop

 

[Stigster]

clean the pipe and fitting only ever apply to the pipe and never over do it a light smear is all it takes,

Good practice in my opinion. I am sometimes amazed at the amount of flux some people use, plastering it on pipe and in fitting. It goes running down vertical pipes or drips in great blobs all over the pipework (or floor) below. Some people's heat mats are soaking with the stuff too.

A guy I work with is excessive with the flux and it drives me crazy watching him solder. New apprentices can be that way too. When I see an apprentice using way too much I do a little demo for them.

Taking a well cleaned piece of pipe and fitting I apply flux (La-Co) to the pipe only, then wipe it off with a clean rag. Insert pipe into the fitting and I can actually solder a perfect joint that way, no visible flux on there at all. I go to great lengths to explain that is not an actual proper soldering method and will cause problems soldering in less than ideal conditions but rather I'm taking it to absurd levels to prove a point. Only a thin smear of flux is actually required in practice. If you need to plaster it on, the flame is either too fierce or you are keeping the heat on too long.

When people say "but any excess flux will be washed away" I show them my collection of pipes I've taken out of old jobs with blobs of flux baked inside joints still there after months or even years. I also have pipework that has been splattered outside by dripping flux where the plumber diligently cleaned their joints but failed to notice it has spattered all over pipework below.

As you can see I've just been triggered on one of my favourite subjects!

 

[Keefy]

Been using one for the last 12 months or so. I've always favoured La-Co flux and was weary of this new 'gimmick' to be honest but I can honestly say I can't tell the difference between La-Co and the one one they use; and I've been using La-Co for 18 or so years.

I haven't used a flux brush since college - always preferred the blunt end of a pencil which, if in a tricky situation the Fluxuator can't reach, I still do by scooping some out of the Fluxuator's mouth/feed or whatever you call it. Haven't used a tub of the old stuff since, plus it's a fellow plumbers invention which I'm only too happy to support... and promote.

 

[Harvest Fields]

thought that you could refill the canister with any flux you wanted once empty?

 

[Keefy]

You can. Just give the existing canister a quick clean out and refill with your favourite flux if you want.

 

[centralheatking]

Regarding Fluxuator it is a new product I have experience in new plumbing & heating product conception, design, protection, production marketing and sales. I think its a good product. The barrier is custom and practice...ie engineers do what they always have done
not out of anything other than habit. Something that radically solves a problem can struggle initially. The Fluxuator will make life easier but needs carefull promotion.
We are promoting a simple cheap plumbing fitting at present and have found let the plumbers get their hands on it before they buy really works, do a demo video but get out to the merchants get feed back ...independant merchants can be very receptive rather than the big sheds. I have a meeting with Ray Stafford soon and will certainly mention
your unit ....pm me if you like I have some lovely connections...centralheatking

 

[rpm]

Regarding Fluxuator it is a new product I have experience in new plumbing & heating product conception, design, protection, production marketing and sales. I think its a good product. The barrier is custom and practice...ie engineers do what they always have done
not out of anything other than habit. Something that radically solves a problem can struggle initially. The Fluxuator will make life easier but needs carefull promotion.
We are promoting a simple cheap plumbing fitting at present and have found let the plumbers get their hands on it before they buy really works, do a demo video but get out to the merchants get feed back ...independant merchants can be very receptive rather than the big sheds. I have a meeting with Ray Stafford soon and will certainly mention
your unit ..pm me if you like I have some lovely connections...centralheatking

Who you replying to Rob?

 

[centralheatking]

A complex answer RPM, I am replying to... The people that promote the Fluxuator they will be watching and anybody else who has an idea about producing
an innovative idea or product. Also to engineers ...consumers out there that might just dismiss a new product out of habit. I have no commercial stake in this at all but always
encourage new ideas. regards centralheatking

 

[gmartine]

It isn't that new a product (price has significantly dropped and product revised) and it seems they are promoting it through all the usual social media channels as well as letting plumbers with a profile review it and put the word out.

Fluxuator – The safe, quick, clean and efficient way to flux pipes

www.fluxuator.co.uk