How do you apply your flux?

[Dannypipe]

Laco.

That's it. I've heard enough. I hate that stuff. Bloody awful flux.

I've tried it. Then gave the tub away twice. I have no idea why it's popular on here. Most blokes I've worked with have reckoned it's crap too.

Burns too easily if you use Mapp and you're sweating 35mm+. Larger fittings need a bit of heat in the fitting, Laco starts to turn black before the solder runs properly. I hate that brand big time!

 

[Keefy]

Laco.

That's it. I've heard enough. I hate that stuff. Bloody awful flux.

I've tried it. Then gave the tub away twice. I have no idea why it's popular on here. Most blokes I've worked with have reckoned it's crap too.

Burns too easily if you use Mapp and you're sweating 35mm+. Larger fittings need a bit of heat in the fitting, Laco starts to turn black before the solder runs properly. I hate that brand big time!

I found the Powerflow turned black that was the main reason I decided I couldn't be bothered with it. I only ever use propane too as MAPP is way too hot, I rarely ever work on anything bigger than 28mm. Never experienced the LA-CO go black either, maybe it does that if you use MAPP???

 

[Dannypipe]

Maybe. Laco is very popular on here.

I've been using nothing but Mapp for years now. I can't remember when I swapped over from propane, but it must be +10 years.

If I use propane (pick up one of my lads torches) it does my head in. Takes too long to heat the joint! I know it's just seconds difference, but I guess it's what you know.

I've also burnt powerflow. Maybe it's time I bought a can of propane!!

EverFlux is bloody great. You'd have to be a fool to burn it. It will clean up oxidised copped no problem, and it lasts ages. However it does eat your skin. Which makes you wonder. What is it doing to my lungs as I inhale the fumes?

 

[Mike Jackson]

I find that the fumes from powerflow are a lot worse than those from everflux.

 

[Gray0689]

I find that the fumes from powerflow are a lot worse than those from everflux.

I'm the opposite ever flux is wicked stuff

 

[dancinplumba]

I'm the opposite ever flux is wicked stuff

morning mr gray

 

[R1CKY]

I tried just fluxing just the pipe off the back of this thread and didn't like it. Pipe and fittings for me, small amount on each, gently heat and apply solder from the back/underneath the fitting and it leaves a nice neat ring of solder. Let the solder set and wipe with a damp cloth.

We all have our own methods and we'll all most likely never change them!

 

[Gray0689]

morning mr gray

Good morning dancin
No rest for the wicked lol

 

[iiplumbing]

Hmmm, reply to the original question.

Its a pity that the flux manufacturers dont put a small brush connected to the underside of the lid of the flux tub anymore, isnt it?

I use an old toothbrush that I keep in my tool box and use that

Or I use my flat end screwdriver

Or I use my finger (btw my fingers always go green when I am handling copper pipe with or without touching the flux!!!!)

www.iiplumbing-services-derby.co.uk

 

[deadstare]

belt and braces flux both

 

[Solderman]

With a matchtail jus to the fitting

 

[bill9005]

Both on hot, cold and heating. only fittings on gas....just one of those things

 

[pipefitter]

Only use everflux ..15mm-42mm only ever flux pipe ..always use a brush ..very rarely get a leak & always looks neat ;-)

 

[qualityplumbing]

if you flux the pipe only when you insert it in the fitting tecnically your fluxing the fitting too ????????

 

[Keefy]

if you flux the pipe only when you insert it in the fitting tecnically your fluxing the fitting too ????????

Of course but any excess flux will be pushed out of the fitting and not into the pipe.

 

[mutley racers]

Like this

 

[qualityplumbing]

Of course but any excess flux will be pushed out of the fitting and not into the pipe.

Depends what your soldering as well if central heating or hot and cold it can be flushed but if gas then apply little as poss and allso depends what flux you use ie aggressive or nonI which do u use

 

[Dannypipe]

I love the fact that we had a debate on this very simple topic than ran into several pages, so I started this poll on a seperate thread. We're now into page number 8 and counting!

It's a simple question, but it's one that every plumber will have an opinion on.

 

[Dannypipe]

Like thisView attachment 11834

Oh lovely!!

 

[qualityplumbing]

Mmmm thats deffinately over use of the flux brush and lazyness

 

[Keefy]

Like thisView attachment 11834

That'll be for the next poll:

Do You Clean Your Pipes?

• Yes
• No, I'm a meff.

 

[mutley racers]

I saw it today while at a mates house having lunch. Went searching for it. Wish I never. Also a concealed cistern which had no way of access. Sad hey

 

[dancinplumba]

That'll be for the next poll:

Do You Clean Your Pipes?

• Yes
• No, I'm a meff.

Then am sure I'm a meff will win keef

 

[qualityplumbing]

Most deffinately

 

[Dannypipe]

I saw it today while at a mates house having lunch. Went searching for it. Wish I never. Also a concealed cistern which had no way of access. Sad hey

Don't you love concealed cisterns with no access points? At least the original plumber was an optimist!!