It seems simple enough....but when someone said..."Don't sweat the small stuff"...well...I just couldn't listen. With rigid copper 1/2" supply lines I cut to size...dry fit my connections...disassemble and clean all connections...then I reassemble...flux each joint...fire it up and tap the solder to the joint. But still 9 out of 10 times I get water spewing out from an ever so teeny hole in the joint.
Should I put flux on the copper lines before I put the connectors on? I know to put the flux on before I fire it up. But could my problem be not enough flux? Is it true that the solder draws into the connections or does it merely seal the seams?
Should I use a damp rag to cool each joint just after I fire it up? I see some people do that. Is it really necessary? How long does it take for the joint to fully cure before we can test it?
I feel like I've met my level of incompetency with this task (heehee). You know what I mean I hope (Just because you can doesn't mean you should). I just want to know if I can ever have the hope of mastering this skill because I'm just doing it a bit incorrect right now. Thanks a million for any professional advice!
COMMUNITY FORUM
Yes, you need to flux the pipe and fittings BEFORE assembly.
Yes, the solder flows in between the pipe and the fitting by capulary action and it has to be fluxed for the solder to want to flow.
Also by your discription I suspect that you are not getting the fitting hot enough. But rather using the torch to melt the solder.
The solder does not "cure". It cools and solidifies. After 30 seconds it will be all solid.
Here are some step by step instructions.
http://www.the-home-improvement-web.com/information/how-to/solder-copper-pipe.htm
http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18276
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/plumbing/general/solder2.php
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/el_cords_outlets_wiring/article/0,2037,DIY_13803_2270049,00.html
Yes, the solder flows in between the pipe and the fitting by capulary action and it has to be fluxed for the solder to want to flow.
Also by your discription I suspect that you are not getting the fitting hot enough. But rather using the torch to melt the solder.
The solder does not "cure". It cools and solidifies. After 30 seconds it will be all solid.
Here are some step by step instructions.
http://www.the-home-improvement-web.com/information/how-to/solder-copper-pipe.htm
http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18276
http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/plumbing/general/solder2.php
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/el_cords_outlets_wiring/article/0,2037,DIY_13803_2270049,00.html
Get yourself some Hercules "LEAD FREE Solder in paste form" normally 95 -5
even though the directions say not necessary to clean the tubing and fitting do not believe it.
Clean the tubing and the inside of the fitting apply this sold / flux combination to the inside of the fitting and outside of the tubing.
Remove excess and heat the joint when it turns a uniform solder color remove heat and wait a few seconds then wipe off the black residue with a clean dry cloth BE CAREFUL as the tubing is hot.
DO NOT put the flame directly on the tubing or solder/flux heat the fitting and let capillary action (attraction) take effect NO other filler metal is needed
even though the directions say not necessary to clean the tubing and fitting do not believe it.
Clean the tubing and the inside of the fitting apply this sold / flux combination to the inside of the fitting and outside of the tubing.
Remove excess and heat the joint when it turns a uniform solder color remove heat and wait a few seconds then wipe off the black residue with a clean dry cloth BE CAREFUL as the tubing is hot.
DO NOT put the flame directly on the tubing or solder/flux heat the fitting and let capillary action (attraction) take effect NO other filler metal is needed
DON'T SWEAT ANYTHING UNDER 1 1/4". Use the Sharkbite fittings by CASH-ACME. They are a push fit system that requires NO TOOL. They are good to 200psi and 200F. Do NOT let any purists put you off these revolutionary fittings. THEY ELIMINATE FLAME, SOLDER, FLUX, GLUE, PRIMER AND SAVE TIME!!! THE CASH-ACME SHARKBITE FITTINGS WERE THE FIRST ON THE MARKET, HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF USAGE IN EXCESS OF 15 YEARS IN AUSTRALIA AND EUROPE, AND HAVE THE BROADEST LINE OF FITTINGS.THEY ARE WARRANTEED FOR 25 YEARS. PEX AND PUSH FITTINGS ARE THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF RESEDENTIAL AND SOME COMMERCIAL PLUMBING ESPECIALLY WITH THE SKYROCKETING PRICE OF COPPER.
PS MAKE SURE TO USE THE CASH-ACME AS THEY ARE THE BEST OF THE PUSH FITTING SYSTEMS WITH A LARGE VARIETY OF OTHER PUSH ON FITTING PRODUCTS LIKE PRESSURE REDUCING AND TEMPERING VALVES.
PS MAKE SURE TO USE THE CASH-ACME AS THEY ARE THE BEST OF THE PUSH FITTING SYSTEMS WITH A LARGE VARIETY OF OTHER PUSH ON FITTING PRODUCTS LIKE PRESSURE REDUCING AND TEMPERING VALVES.
Ask the pushers of "State of the art " products about longevity and COST
Yesterday I soldered a 4" copper line and like all the other soldered joints I know this one should last over 50 years.
A solder coupling 1/2 - 1" cost under $2.00 ask what the product he is pushing cost.
I would like to see which codes approve these devices.
By the way it was not to long ago for a $50 bet I told someone I could teach a 5 year old to solder a proper joint and I had this 5 year old girl soldering 1" copper then tested the joints with 100 PSI far more then any water system in a house would have and no leaks.
Don't you love sales people jumping on lists telling the virtues of products but never give a price.
1/2 copper coupling 25 cents Shark bite ??
1/2 coper installed 60 years ago STILL going strong.
One of my partners uses the shark bite BUT then he figures I guess the people using have a mind set and skill level less then a 5 year old.
Notice the Mechanical joints as it requires the skill level of a child to solder a joint properly
Yesterday I soldered a 4" copper line and like all the other soldered joints I know this one should last over 50 years.
A solder coupling 1/2 - 1" cost under $2.00 ask what the product he is pushing cost.
I would like to see which codes approve these devices.
By the way it was not to long ago for a $50 bet I told someone I could teach a 5 year old to solder a proper joint and I had this 5 year old girl soldering 1" copper then tested the joints with 100 PSI far more then any water system in a house would have and no leaks.
Don't you love sales people jumping on lists telling the virtues of products but never give a price.
1/2 copper coupling 25 cents Shark bite ??
1/2 coper installed 60 years ago STILL going strong.
One of my partners uses the shark bite BUT then he figures I guess the people using have a mind set and skill level less then a 5 year old.
Notice the Mechanical joints as it requires the skill level of a child to solder a joint properly
