Master Soldering help needed for a clean solder

[Last Plumber]

Excellent tips. I'm going to try again today but practice on some crappy bits first. I'll post any pics I have if they turn out ok.

Yes do that, I'd like to see the finished product !

I realise you want to solder this to perfection but just in case you do have a bit on show, Emery ribbon ( fine grit), will remove solder easily and polish the copper nicely too.

That might make it even easier for you !

 

[Last Plumber]

I mean the stuff you use in engineering, do you know which I mean ?
It comes on a roll

 

[Electronurd]

I mean the stuff you use in engineering, do you know which I mean ?

Yeah I think so. I bought a small kit from screwfix which had some

http://www.NoLinkingToThis/p/bernzomatic-lead-free-wire-solder-soluble-flux/27758

 

[Last Plumber]

That will probably do but the stuff I meant is finer ( not like sand paper ).

 

[Electronurd]

That will probably do but the stuff I meant is finer ( not like sand paper ).

Ah do you think you be could post a link to it? I'm going to screwfix today so would be great to pick it up whilst I'm there.

 

[Last Plumber]

http://www.workshopsupplies.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d250_emery_roll.html


That's the stuff I use at work for all sorts. I can't see it on screwfix, I thought that's where it came from but I use Engineering merchants for most things so it could well have been picked up in one of those places.

 

[Electronurd]

http://www.workshopsupplies.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d250_emery_roll.html


That's the stuff I use at work for all sorts. I can't see it on screwfix, I thought that's where it came from but I use Engineering merchants for most things so it could well have been picked up in one of those places.

Found some at toolstation. What grit would you say?

 

[Last Plumber]

I think 120 should be fine enough

You're better feeling it if you can

 

[Electronurd]

I think 120 should be fine enough

You're better feeling it if you can

Ok cheers

 

[Electronurd]

Yes do that, I'd like to see the finished product !

I realise you want to solder this to perfection but just in case you do have a bit on show, Emery ribbon ( fine grit), will remove solder easily and polish the copper nicely too.

That might make it even easier for you !

Well no matter how much I try I still get a slodge of solder somewhere on a join... without fail. Can solder sledges be wiped off?

Here is a picture of what I mean... there's always a splodge. The join is fine... but the slodge is annoying.

 

[deg]

What about using a Yorkshire fitting with a preloaded solder ring inside.

 

[Electronurd]

What about using a Yorkshire fitting with a preloaded solder ring inside.

Yeah I've considered but I don't really like the look of them. There must be a way to remove excess solder slodges

 

[Shower Engineer]

Well no matter how much I try I still get a slodge of solder somewhere on a join... without fail. Can solder sledges be wiped off?

Here is a picture of what I mean... there's always a splodge. The join is fine... but the slodge is annoying.

View attachment 29134

Try soldering one end of the joint at a time and solder with the joint vertical, shouldn't have that problem then.

 

[Electronurd]

Try soldering one end of the joint at a time and solder with the joint vertical, shouldn't have that problem then.

Tried this... but as soon as the solder touches the pipe you get the splodge of solder even when its vertical.

 

[Shower Engineer]

Tried this... but as soon as the solder touches the pipe you get the splodge of solder even when its vertical.

Then try using electricians solder which is much thinner...

 

[PhoenixServices]

Practice. File the solder to a point. You can solder snots off with a file.

 

[tamz]

I think i'll start making lamps.

 

[Electronurd]

Practice. File the solder to a point. You can solder snots off with a file.

Right ok so they can be filed off? After doing a little research quite a few people have suggested using a wire brush or a dry cloth while the solder is still liquid.

 

[Electronurd]

Practice. File the solder to a point. You can solder snots off with a file.

Right ok so they can be filed off? After doing a little research quite a few people have suggested using a wire brush or a dry cloth while the solder is still liquid.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

no dont do that will make it 10 x worse

 

[Electronurd]

no dont do that will make it 10 x worse

Right ok. I do think the joins look slightly better but not as good as I'd hoped because of the damned slodge... potentially a thinner solder wire like 2mm or even 1mm might help.

 

[Electronurd]

no dont do that will make it 10 x worse

Right ok. I do think the joins look slightly better but not as good as I'd hoped because of the damned slodge... potentially a thinner solder wire like 2mm or even 1mm might help.

 

[zzzjim]

Not a plumbing techinque , also un-tried as its not a skill I want to learn .
Have pondered if you made measured rings of fine electrical solder concealed within the joint ,heated and let slide the last bit , inside of joint fluxed to assist capilairy action .
( In effect emulating Yorkshire/solder-ring without unsightly bulges )
When there with quantity and heat should be able to do 90 elbow inclined 45 for each side- bottom of bend facing down !

 

[mache]

As has been mentioned try smaller diameter electrical solder, however rather than using a normal soldering technique try by cutting a length to make a solder ring that fits tight around the pipe sitting on top of the fitting. Then gently heat the bottom of the fitting until the solder flows into the joint. Just heat gently in short bursts till you get the feel of how much heat is needed. Hopefully that might help prevent your spludge.


Zzzjim beat me to it

 

[zzzjim]

Not a plumbing techinque , also un-tried as its not a skill I want to learn .
Have pondered if you made measured rings of fine electrical solder concealed within the joint ,heated and let slide the last bit , inside of joint fluxed to assist capilairy action .
( In effect emulating Yorkshire/solder-ring without unsightly bulges )
When there with quantity and heat should be able to do 90 elbow inclined 45 for each side- bottom of bend facing down !