Making the Perfect End Feed Solder Joint

[Blumper]

...tuttogallo.....do you really need to check whether your solder contains lead...??
In spite of that, EVERY plumber at the start puts in too much solder, the natural inclination is to believe that more solder= stronger/better joinst.....which is not true.....do yourself a favour and practice on some short pieces that you can test on a little rig in your own time to help convince yourself, and get in the habit of watching for that little slither of silver that you can see filling the tiny slip between the pipe and fitting, that's when you stop feeding the solder.....you don't need to 'fill' the triangle between the fitting edge and pipe to make it seal......try a few and test them and then seperate them, you'll see both surfaces are completely covered in solder....but it is a leap of faith to be confident in them but practice makes perfect..

 

[Blumper]

...error in the above, most plumbers STILL put too much solder in....but are creative in pipe support

 

[Archy Styrigg]

I have to admit, that I had been soldering about 15 years or so before I learned how to do it properly. I also have to thank South West Water for a small booklet they produced because the quality of soldering was considered by them as poor throughout the plumbing industry region.

You will need a wet cloth and a dry cloth.

1. Clean both copper pipe and fittings with dry non-metalic cloth
2. Apply flux sparingly to male surfaces of pipe only and do not apply flux to fitting (this is especially important for gas, because excess is pushed out externally).

3. Locate pipework into fitting, twist and remove any excess flux from the fittings with a dry cloth (externally).

4. Prepare to solder, with lead free solder in one hand, and blow lamp in other - apply heat until the fitting starts to sweat. Apply solder to back or rear of fitting (if vertical) and observe as the solder runs around to the front - immediately remove solder and heat.
5. Allow to cool, and remove residual flux with wet cloth. Polish with non-metalic cloth to shiny finish.

Remember the purpose of flux is to clean and allow the solder to run, so if you do not remove excess flux with a dry cloth before soldering, then vertical soldering is difficult because the solder runs out of the fitting and down the pipe following the flow of flux.

Follow the dry and wet cloth routine and you will have perfect joints, less risk of leaks, more money and you have conserved rare and precious metals. Not only that, you work will be beautiful and fill you with a sense of pride that money just can't buy - welcome to your vocation!

Read more: http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/plumbing-forum/39491-neat-soldering-how.html#ixzz2Cxv7Mrqq

Fanatastic advice! Thanks.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

just flux it,holding the lamp in the edge of the flame so it curls around the fitting,as the flux melts apply your solder,wipe it neat with a bit of wool or bog paper job done

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

...error in the above, most plumbers STILL put too much solder in....but are creative in pipe supportView attachment 9103

thats rubbish soldering

 

[Gray0689]

...error in the above, most plumbers STILL put too much solder in....but are creative in pipe supportView attachment 9103

That's rubbish soldering and looks even worse plumbing but see that you mean about the solder support lol

 

[Archy Styrigg]

What do mean by a dry cloth and wet cloth?

 

[Archy Styrigg]

...error in the above, most plumbers STILL put too much solder in....but are creative in pipe supportView attachment 9103

What's with the dubious looking cable?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

What's with the dubious looking cable?

tv probably,wont be sky they just chuck them over the roof,you know what sparks are like though archey* wink*nicking all the best routes wrapping 2.5 t+e around our 22mm F+R who would have thought a pipe running at 80 degrees would melt a cable and cause a bit of a mess?:smartass2:

 

[Blumper]

...twas a recent job, couple had pipework re-routed round attic sides ready for conversion...local 'handyman' did it......about 4 kilo's of solder I reckon AND it had no less than three leaks...never seen so many couplings used before......crap job in every respect, but proves the point that visible solder and snots does not mean a solid joint....

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

...twas a recent job, couple had pipework re-routed round attic sides ready for conversion...local 'handyman' did it......about 4 kilo's of solder I reckon AND it had no less than three leaks...never seen so many couplings used before......crap job in every respect, but proves the point that visible solder and snots does not mean a solid joint....View attachment 9105

​theres a sparkie infestation there call rentokillaspark

 

[Dotty]

What do mean by a dry cloth and wet cloth?

One's wet.................

 

[Archy Styrigg]

Hahaha....are people really this thick?!?!

My first attempt at plumbing (about 30 years ago), Yorkshire joint, no flux, surprise surprise it leaked!!!
Never had a leak since.

 

[Backboiler]

One's wet.................

And the other is.............. Wait for it............... DRY...................

 

[Archy Styrigg]

Plumbing is OK, it's the bit dealing with bogs that I can't handle.
The amount of crap that goes down my drains living with 4 females I have to unblock the drain now and again, but someone else sh.... no no ...

 

[Dotty]

Plumbing is OK, it's the bit dealing with bogs that I can't handle.
The amount of crap that goes down my drains living with 4 females I have to unblock the drain now and again, but someone else's... no no ...

Funnily enough I'm the other way round. I can't deal with it if I know who it belongs to!

 

[Archy Styrigg]

Well that just confirms that plumbers are weirdos!
:crazy:rrr:

 

[Gray0689]

Well that just confirms that plumbers are weirdos!
:crazy:rrr:

Totally agree but better to be than a spark imho lol

 

[Archy Styrigg]

Being pipework boys, you should know your way around a lasses pipework and make it function correctly?

 

[Gray0689]

I know where as smart as surgeons but that's a gynaecologist job

 

[Archy Styrigg]

I love cats, got two (3) black furry beauties myself, but as a day to day job, mmmmmm, might be better off being a plumber

 

[tamz]

Fancy a pay rise then? You won't be employable :lol:

Btw i detest cats but i love puss

 

[Archy Styrigg]

Can't do with ginger, but I'd quite happily work on min wage in a decent Scottish Malt distillery!

 

[tamz]

I love ginger especially irn bru but i like a bit cream soda too. That dandelion and burdock is not ginger. It's rotten.

No call for plumbers in the malt distilleries. They just lap up the leaks.

 

[SimonG]

Hmm cream soda, hmmm dandelion and burdock. Yack root beer. (otherwise known as liquid germolene)