How to solder vertical joints

[Stanios]

I disagree with just holding the torch at one point for any size of fitting with any gas. Although on 15mm it certainly will work well, if you really had to in an awkward place.
I think you should always hold the lamp alternatively at opposite two sides of the fitting, which is normally very possible- and doesn't need swinging the torch around. But if you have the space, then why not?
You only need a certain heat and butane is more than good enough for 28mm and you can use a small nozzle. Leaded solder needs less heat. Although Propane especially on a Surefire torch is a little bit quicker and great for wet pipes or in freezing conditions.
I actually think that fittings are being overheated. I challenge anyone to reduce the heat going on a fitting & back off the distance from the torch when solder can flow. It will solder very fast on 15mm up to 28mm

I think overheating is easier to spot than underheating. If its not heated enough you'l have solder melting but not running inside and coming all the way round, same again if a novice applies heat to one point only. If you over heat even a novice can see the solder just drips off and nothing is going into the fitting. Using hotter Map would reduce chance of not heating the fitting enough, for someone who is not very good at soldering.

 

[jaydebruyne]

I think overheating is easier to spot than underheating. If its not heated enough you'l have solder melting but not running inside and coming all the way round, same again if a novice applies heat to one point only. If you over heat even a novice can see the solder just drips off and nothing is going into the fitting. Using hotter Map would reduce chance of not heating the fitting enough, for someone who is not very good at soldering.

But if the fitting isn't hot enough the solder wouldn't melt. As soon as the solder melts the fitting is hot enough and as long as there is flux the solder will run. I agree with your comment about the even heating. But tbh, novice or veteran the same applies. You can get plumbers who have been in the game for years who still can't solder for ****, and newbies who seem to just pick it up and are brilliant at it.

With regards to mapp vs propane, the only difference is the temperature so propane just takes longer as it's a little cooler. Using mapp will not prevent someone underheating a fitting. The user prevents the fitting being underheated wether they are using mapp or propane.

 

[Best]

Yes, I do try to slightly overheat the fitting after I get solder into it to make sure it's all heated. But blasting a very strong flame for a minute or more at the fitting like that 'Mr Sodder' American in the video is stupid. I guess it's just what you are used to doing. I usually heat leaded soldering by torch in one hand & solder reel in other until I get it soldered, then I lift a rag if fitting needs a wipe of the solder to tidy it, while keeping adding heat with torch.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Anyway, just did a few joints and pressure tested it (pic below) and all is well in the world. I'm not really sure why I worry about soldering as of yet I've not had a joint leak. But I do still need the practise just to build my confidence I reckon. Yeah this is how I spend my spare time - saddo I know!!!!!

 

[spanner]

Sod it I never seen any heat gun go so cherry red at the tip. I honestly thought something was going wrong as soon as I see the tip go red like that..??

 

[jaydebruyne]

Sod it I never seen any heat gun go so cherry red at the tip. I honestly thought something was going wrong as soon as I see the tip go red like that..??

You got the superfire or surefire 2??? Lol I was the same...

 

[spanner]

Lolz I couldn't watch at first. I was thinking jheez WTF and OMG I've never seen this..
And at the end of all that... he only soldiered sodden it . We all know how to solder vertical.. Actually I'm thinking he's showing off the heat gun after I bared to watch it to the end. And as for getting a heat source like that..i must say a BIG NO to that... lolz

 

[sammathias]

basically with a pencil just draw a couple mm off the coupling around the hole pipe and the solder wont run past the pencil mark. unless youre very excited!

 

[jaydebruyne]

basically with a pencil just draw a couple mm off the coupling around the hole pipe and the solder wont run past the pencil mark. unless youre very excited!

You got time to do that on I very joint?

 

[sammathias]

yeh takes aproximately 5 seconds?

 

[nicro3]

Stand on your head

 

[joni os]

Not if you lose pencils like I do