Solder tips?

[macka09]

Hi folks.

I'll apologise now for this silly question.

I'm currently doing a job that involves soldering up to 54mm pipe. Previously only done up to 35mm.
I'm struggling to solder the vertical pipes so my question is whether it's advisable to crimp the fitting to keep the pipe in place?

Or is it feasible to solder the vertical pipe into the fitting first then solder the horizontal bits?

I'm struggling cos it's 3.5metres in the air so wedging it isn't really an option.

Go easy with me.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

you having problems with what the fittings moving or soldering that big?

 

[macka09]

Soldering is fine I think lol. The pipes moving or dropping out

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Soldering is fine I think lol. The pipes moving or dropping out

put fitting in and get your grips with pipe all the way in and where you want and squash it a tiny bit

 

[Subby]

Or put the pipe in the fitting, dent the fitting with hammer/spanner/grips and twist the.pipe so it will hold in place. Keep a rag handy when soldering and feed the.solder all the way around the fitting following the lamp.

 

[Subby]

Don't like soldering 54mm, map pressing it is much more reliable

 

[macka09]

put fitting in and get your grips with pipe all the way in and where you want and squash it a tiny bit

Squashing 54mm isn't so easy for me lol.

That's why I wondered about soldering the fitting onto the vertical then soldering the horizontal pipes in situ?

 

[macka09]

What is that flexible support tool that clamps to a surface then grabs the pipe?

 

[Last Plumber]

You need to solder the whole fitting at once not one half and then the other.
Use a bigger lamp ( wider flame ) and warm it uniformly Starting with the pipe, so it expands slightly to tighten it up in the fitting.
I would personally not squash it because you will create uneven gaps around the joint and the solder won't flow into them enough to fill them.

 

[macka09]

The other plumber on site suggested soldering out of situ first but I've never done that on normal domestic pipework let alone this bigger stuff. I assume it weakens the joint once it's re heated.

 

[Last Plumber]

What do you mean? out of situ.
Do you mean tin it first

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What is that flexible support tool that clamps to a surface then grabs the pipe?

two clips a piece of uni strut and done

 

[Chalked]

If your not confident , or struggling. Go to your local BSS and hire a press tool and jaws. Trust me once you gave used one on larger pipe sizes, you won't solder again.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

or where you located?

 

[mfgs]

Is the pipe not clipped when you are soldering it?

 

[macka09]

Yes it the horizontal run is clipped then the vertical pipe isn't supported. The spec of the job doesn't allow for press fit unfortunately.

 

[Last Plumber]

Yes it the horizontal run is clipped then the vertical pipe isn't supported. The spec of the job doesn't allow for press fit unfortunately.

This Isn't gas is it ?

 

[macka09]

This Isn't gas is it ?

No mate just hot and colds lol.

 

[oz-plumber]

Why don't you put 4 tack solders on the pipe?

Work you way from tack 1 to tack 2, then tack 3 to tack 4, tack 2 to tack 3 and then tack 4 to tack 1.
This way the pipe is held in position and with a pipe of 54mm the solder is set on the opposite side of the pipe you are soldering.

We did this in plant rooms when doing pipework because we would tack everything square and level / plumb, and then solder the joints completely as we proceeded.
The tacks just held everything in place

 

[Subby]

Excuse my ignorance but what is a tack solder?

 

[townfanjon]

Just a small tack or "blob" to hold the pipe in place

 

[voivod]

Crimp crimp crimp

 

[Last Plumber]

Cut a piece of 3 x 2 timber to fit underneath it once it is in the fitting

 

[macka09]

Sorted it lads. Ended up cutting a Piece of 15mm to length instead.