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Is soldering copper pipe hard?
Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines.
Why does my solder not stick to copper pipe?
If the solder is beading up or running down the pipe, you have a dirty fitting. Just as Vic says use clean fine grit sandpaper or emery cloth. Clean both surfaces, spread flux as soon as you clean them. Also clean and flux joint after you fit them together.
How do you solder a pipe like a pro?
How long should you wait after soldering copper pipe?
Be sure to wait until the solder has cooled (2-3 minutes) before pressurizing the line to avoid the solder cracking due to a quick change in temperature.
How strong is solder copper pipe?
A soldered four-inch Type L joint has a pressure rating of 440 psi. If the plumber in the field decides to braze that joint rather than solder it, the rating will be reduced to 293 psi — the annealed rating.
What would causes solder not to stick?
A classic reason solder won’t stick to something is because you’re not getting it hot enough. My interns come to me with this problem all the time. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly.
Do you need flux to solder copper pipe?
Strong metals such as brass and copper will require a synthetic acid flux in order to be soldered. This will remove not only oxidation but also corrosion and other residues that build up on these metals.
Does flux help solder stick?
Flux removes oxidation from metals, and it’s crucial because solder won’t stick to oxidized metals, and metals oxidize very quickly at soldering temperatures.
How do you solder perfectly?
Step 1: Begin by making sure the tip is attached to the iron and screwed tightly in place. Step 2: Turn on your soldering iron and let it heat up. If you have a soldering station with an adjustable temp control, set it to 400′ C/ 752′ F. Step 3: Wipe the tip of the soldering iron on a damp wet sponge to clean it.
Why are cold solder joints bad?
A ‘Cold Joint’ is one where the solder did not melt completely. It is often characterized by a rough or lumpy surface. Cold joints are unreliable. The solder bond will be poor and the cracks may develop in the joint over time.
Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning. In addition, a heavy oxide can be formed on the pipe itself, preventing a bond from forming between the filler metal and the pipe surface.
How long does it take for soldering iron to cool?
It is recommended that you wait at least thirty minutes before storing tools in an enclosed space, because most of the devices will be cool enough within two to three minutes.
How do you know if your solder joints are good?
A good solder joint should have an even band of solder showing all the way around. If you see an area that looks as if it needs more solder, brush a little flux onto the joint. If the joint is still warm, the flux will melt and flow into the void. Then reheat the joint and resolder.
How long do solder joints last?
Generally, if the joint holds for the first minute under pressure, it’ll hold for the next 500 years.
What kind of torch do you use to solder copper pipe?
The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). MAPP gas comes in a yellow tank and propane comes in a blue tank. MAPP gas, usually a bit more expensive, gets much hotter than propane, so heats the pipe faster.
Can you solder copper pipe with water in it?
Don’t try to solder pipes with water in them. Soldering a joint in pipes that contain even tiny amounts of water is nearly impossible. Most of the heat from the torch goes into turning the water to steam, so the copper won’t get hot enough to melt the solder. Stop the trickle of water with a pipe plug.
How strong is solder?
Some hardware stores carry silver solder, but usually the low-temperature type, with a tensile strength around 10,000 psi. The really strong silver solders – tensile strength over 60,000 psi – are a little harder to find. You can probably get some at a welding supply shop, but the easiest source is a mailorder house.
What is the strength of solder?
Ultimate tensile strength of soft solder – 60-40 solder depends greatly on the temperature, but for 19°C is about 56 MPa. The ultimate tensile strength is the maximum on the engineering stress-strain curve. This corresponds to the maximum stress that can be sustained by a structure in tension.
How much pressure can a copper sweat joint hold?
Use type “L” copper. It will be “safe” at 150 psi as long as your solder joints are done correctly, but you should not need that pressure for anything you will be doing.
How do you get solder to stick to wire?
Add a small spot of solder to the tip. Line up the wire to the connector, usually with a clamp. Hold the tip of the iron on the connector for a short time. Push some solder onto the wire at the edge of the tip, so the solder melts onto the wire.
What temperature should you solder at?
600°- 650°F (316°- 343°C) is a good place to start for lead-based solder and 650°- 700°F (343°- 371°C) for lead-free solder. You want the tip hot enough to melt the solder efficiency, but excess heat can damage components as the heat travels along the leads, and it will reduce the lifespan of the soldering tip.
What is the purpose of using flux when soldering a copper pipe?
The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. Oxides are formed when metal is exposed to air and may prevent the formation of good solder joints.
What does flux do in soldering copper?
In plumbing, flux is a compound used as part of soldering a pipe joint. It’s an acidic paste that is applied to the part of the copper pipe where the solder must make a bond. It cleans the joint, if you rub it on some copper and leave it a short while, it will be left gleaming when you wipe it off.
What does flux do in soldering plumbing?
Flux is part of a dynamic duo of products that allows you to connect copper pipe and fittings by “sweating” or “soldering.” Flux is an acidic paste that comes in a little round tin. The paste is then applied to the fitting and pipe with a small brush and then the two parts are fitted together.
