Newb desparate for help with soldering copper

[SimonG]

Or get somebody who knows what they are doing.

 

[juntjoo]

Okay that's a new one. I'll try that....

 

[juntjoo]

This one here came out good. Spread into the space on it's own.

no slop, no need to wipe. I usually wipe.

But this one, right after applying flux then heating it, look how nasty it gets. Haven't attempted to apply solder on top of that. Doesn't look like it'd stick no?

 

[solutions]

If you are using resin cored electrical solder then you will never get a good joint with copper. You need an acid flux and a lead based solder that it good for drinking water. I will find a link for how to do this correctly. Secondly if there is ANY WATER AT ALL in the pipe and the pipe is sealed it will turn to steam and you will blow the solder out of the joint before it sets

Solder for drinking water is predominantly tin and deffinately no lead.

 

[helpsy]

I thought you had to legally be qualified in the US to plumb, holding qualifications?

 

[REDSAW]

your coating the inside of the fitting before assembling right?

 

[juntjoo]

I thought you had to legally be qualified in the US to plumb, holding qualifications?

Umm...

 

[juntjoo]

Almost done. No leaks...

except for...

That meddling little pvc elbow. I read not to tighten too much or use too much Teflon tape. So I don't know, but apparently I got the soldering down. Not sure how, just kept working on it. It is a bit of an art/skill. I'm guessing tho I made a schoolboy error letting that pvc leak happen after soldering the last connection at top. Not sure if there are ways to test for leaks beforehand that you guys normally perform but the pvc fix should be easier than most of this job. Hand tighten that right? Just Teflon tape?

 

[juntjoo]

your coating the inside of the fitting before assembling right?

Yes. Flux all over and sanding connections clean

 

[JCplumb]

When soldering, you can't overheat a joint. I'll get stick for this but I have proof

 

[Radioman]

When soldering, you can't overheat a joint. I'll get stick for this but I have proof

Yes you can. Heating copper pipe and then rapid quenching will make the copper soft as butter. Try this. Heat copper pipe to cherry red the quench in cold water. Now try to bend. It be bends like rubber. Now beat with a hammer. Now try and bend. Copper work hardens.

 

[JCplumb]

Said proof, it may get brittle as stated above (I thnk) if you 'quench' it, who knows...
[video=youtube;4397E-7uanE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4397E-7uanE[/video]

 

[REDSAW]

sod it use plastic lol.

btw, i would prefer using plasic until after it comes out out of the ground!!

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

think the op,s basic issue is to much heat and trying to solder with water in the pipework,basic errors,needs to practice on some scrap copper IMHO,whats that plastic solvent welded stuff in the floor? with blue gunk

 

[solutions]

think the op,s basic issue is to much heat and trying to solder with water in the pipework,basic errors,needs to practice on some scrap copper IMHO,whats that plastic solvent welded stuff in the floor? with blue gunk

American solvent glue has colour in it so you can see where it has been applied. The pipe is some kind of pressurized solvent weld water supply service. Like a modern durapipe.