How do you apply your flux?

[Keefy]

Pipe and fittings. Never use a brush because it puts too much on. A wipe with the finger or the end of the solder for half inch.
Never had a leak in 9153 days :smile:

I never use a brush either, I use a pencil or a bradawl to go round the end of the pipe then kind of use it to scrape off any excess. Never had a problem.

 

[Irish]

Like keefy I don't use a brush I use the solder, got told off for using my finger and got sick of buying brushes so thought feck it ill use the solder

 

[HTG-Apprentice]

I apply it just to the pipe and turn the fittings around on the pipe so it goes smoothly around everything,
The 2 blokes i work with both put it in the fitting and on the pipe, they teach at college NOT to put it in the fitting EVER,
not sure why!

 

[plumber0808]

I couldn't use my finger, my hands are bad enough as it is.
i also use everflux which stings like hell in cuts.

 

[Keefy]

I apply it just to the pipe and turn the fittings around on the pipe so it goes smoothly around everything,
The 2 blokes i work with both put it in the fitting and on the pipe, they teach at college NOT to put it in the fitting EVER,
not sure why!

Because you're just pushing most of the flux off the inside of the fitting then it's likely to stay in the system - unless you flush it through obviously. If it's a gas pipe then you've got a snot of flux permanently stuck to the wall of the pipe.

 

[Whyme]

One of lifes mysteries! Why does flux react with blue cotton and turn it purple?

wonder if they use it to make purple clothes..

 

[Sid Viscous]

Pipe only, use finger, wipe finger on old rag. Most modern fluxes are so aggresive that you can't leave any trace inside the pipe as it will gradually eat it's way out.

 

[mfgs]

Pipe and fittings. Never use a brush because it puts too much on. A wipe with the finger or the end of the solder for half inch.
Never had a leak in 9153 days :smile:

That's an impressive record.

I do both pipe and fitting.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

One of lifes mysteries! Why does flux react with blue cotton and turn it purple?

or my hands and make them fall apart?

 

[TerryWaite]

Just the pipe unless the piece is more than 21" long

 

[lame plumber]

am I right in thinking all those who use the finger method are over 50 or dont have girlfriends!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dannypipe]

or my hands and make them fall apart?

Glad it's not just me. Luckilly I've not been sweating many joints for the last couple of weeks and my hands are pretty respectable again.

I'm fine with less aggressive flux's anyway. I've bought a load of Powerflow as I was getting on with that, but they changed the recipe about 6 months back. The new stuff is whiter and less "greasy" looking. Not as good in my opinion. Doesn't turn yellow if you leave the lid off the tub so it's definetly changed.

 

[Irish]

Just the pipe unless the piece is more than 21" long

Eh? What's the reason for this ?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

am I right in thinking all those who use the finger method are over 50 or dont have girlfriends!!!!!!!!!!!

no as usual your thinkings flawed,dont need a GF as i have been married for 12 years,and she still likes fingers

 

[lame plumber]

no as usual your thinkings flawed,dont need a GF as i have been married for 12 years,and she still likes fingers

I was trying to be subtle, suttle, whatever

 

[Keefy]

am I right in thinking all those who use the finger method are over 50 or dont have girlfriends!!!!!!!!!!!

With a tub of flux on the bedside cabinet.

Disclaimer: Your imagination not mine.

 

[Sid Viscous]

am I right in thinking all those who use the finger method are over 50 or dont have girlfriends!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a few years to go before I'm qualified to answer that one dude, but no complaints so far!!

 

[Sid Viscous]

With a tub of flux on the bedside cabinet.

Disclaimer: Your imagination not mine.

And a 22mm bending spring! Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TerryWaite]

Eh? What's the reason for this ?

It's to do with future work hardening and material sag over certain lengths of table x, can also lead to dezincification and pitting of brass further down the line if excess flux is pushed into pipe roughly 535mm (21") or longer.

 

[tamz]

Tempting fate surely tamz!?

Touch wood if i get a leak tomorrow it is the boys fault and he'd better run :lol:

 

[Keefy]

It's to do with future work hardening and material sag over certain lengths of table x, can also lead to dezincification and pitting of brass further down the line if excess flux is pushed into pipe roughly 535mm (21") or longer.

 

[tamz]

or my hands and make them fall apart?

Keep off the everflux. That bites into even my hands!

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

It's to do with future work hardening and material sag over certain lengths of table x, can also lead to dezincification and pitting of brass further down the line if excess flux is pushed into pipe roughly 535mm (21") or longer.

yes thats why its tight but is laco suitable as a lubrcant or should i stick to templars? or is going in dry best?

 

[tamz]

With a tub of flux on the bedside cabinet.

Disclaimer: Your imagination not mine.

You're taking that too far :lol:

 

[Keefy]

You're taking that too far :lol:

That's what she said.

 

[tamz]

She'll need to get used to you bringing your work home with you :lol:

 

[lame plumber]

this threads gone down hill since my contribution

 

[DustyM]

Just the pipe for me; after it and the fitting have been thoroughly cleaned.......again the way I was taught !

Now read through the rest of the thread and realised we have somewhat diluted the original topic......:blush2:

 

[woodytheplumber]

just the pipe normally with my finger havnt used a brush since i lost my last one about a year ago!

 

[kay-jay]

Pipe only

 

[TerryWaite]

Just to clear up my comment about the 21" or longer was complete balls I just made it up, I think most people knew it was in jest.

 

[Whyme]

I think you may have made a few apprentices recite that......I believed ya..:yesnod:

 

[Keefy]

Just to clear up my comment about the 21" or longer was complete balls I just made it up, I think most people knew it was in jest.

I think you may have made a few apprentices recite that......I believed ya..:yesnod:

I just finished screaming at R.D. Treloar over the phone accusing him of leaving this vital information out of his book - PLUMBING 4th Edition, he called me a wacko. Thanks a lot TerryWaite! :32:

Oh, I asked him about fluxing and he said pipe only...

 

[tamz]

Oh, I asked him about fluxing and he said pipe only...

There is an old saying.
Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.

 

[kay-jay]

I was watching a young plumber yesterday. We get provided with powerflow flux on site (i prefer la-co)
Anyway this lad didn't flux pipe or fittings. He assembled all joints dry then brushed flux around the joints and then sweat them up.

Never seen or heard anyone doing it this way. He says its because the powerflow flux makes it difficult to assemble joints and twist them etc when the acid bites. I know what he means this is why i hate powerflow flux.