Newb desparate for help with soldering copper

[juntjoo]

So I'm repairing this pipe that goes to the city water, a 3/4 inch pipe as I'm here in the US(just grabbed the 1st plumbing forum I could find)

, which requires replacing from that broken ball valve down to the end of this leaky copper pipe where it meets PVC about a foot, or... Idk, under a meter down(?), and I decided to go the cheaper classic soldering route: figured paying extra is for compression and telescopic parts is for lazy rich guys. Well it seems the technology is flat out a complete replacement for outdated inefficient unreliable soldering method, unless I'm doing something totally wrong that I can't figure out hopefully someone can help. Here is the best I've been able to do:

And this the worst as I have to solder upwards against gravity:

Otherwise all joints connected, PVC should be good, but I have 5 total seams that look like this 2 with leaks.

I'm sanding down the ends of the pipes, coating them with flux, but working outside in the slightly windy and cold weather.

My 1st impression is that my newbie work is sloppy but also that this method doesn't work. What happens under earthquakes , in earthquake regions, to these weak soldered connections. I mean, I don't see how to make them secure. Earlier when twisting on a pvc elbow at the bottom, the soldered connection broke. I'm chasing micro hole after another dropping molten solder everywhere. Something doesn't seem right. And no one so far, not even the home improvement store pro around the corner is familiar with this apparent phenomenon where solder is attracted to earths gravity so when soldering upwards, especially, not only, it balls up and rolls off of the work area, hence my solder slop seen above.

Need some help here. Got dirty dishes in the sink and poop in the lav. I said that for you UK guys. Hope I said it right.

 

[REDSAW]

quite simply,
your sodder torch is innadequate!

your not getting the fitting hot enough to flow, if you were it would go up int the filling and leave a neat ring.

if your using butane gas outside-forget it you need 2000degree propane torch or map gas with 3mm dia solder.

nice pics tho

 

[juntjoo]

Thanks, I hope you're right. In Using one of these: http://www.restockit.com/bernzomat...2EVLvQa-ud7Q4JDbk_g-kshlGY9vQbu65xoCl_Xw_wcB

guys with the yellow "map" gas. I'm in fl so it's not that cold ... but you say it should be hot enough to soak up in there uh? That makes sense... I like that answer. Will go for it till something else comes up. I'll tell you this tho, the tip on this torch isn't so sharp I notice, but I don't know if that means anything. Are there attachments or somethin to sharpen the flame if that might help?

 

[juntjoo]

Yes, 3mm .

 

[Scott_D]

Is there water in the pipe?

 

[REDSAW]

that looks the business, its yellow and here its normally map gas.

couple of years ago i would have come over and done it for you for a beer 😉

torch the brass not the pipe, the tip will be fine as the flame will be conical if set right!.
also torch from the back then the front then solder

 

[juntjoo]

At first there always is water as I'm going back and forth testing for leaks, flushing toilet etc, but I've been heating the sh*! out of it with this torch it evaporates, at least that is what I say when I'm doing it outdoors. The work I did indoors was easier but still I didn't get that so-hot-it-sucks-right-in hot so I'll aim for hotter next time. I'll stick to this. Someone elsewhere called it an art. That gives me a little patience. I feel less a dumbass and more a practicing arteest

 

[juntjoo]

Also read to go sloppy with the flux. And keep it clean. I'll bring a friggin checklist. Thanks, will work on it when sun comes up...

 

[REDSAW]

you cant solder if there is water in the pipe boiling to the fitting, you can heat the pipe below to boil it out before making the fitting breifly enough to solder it as it evaporates the water rising.

 

[jtsplumbing]

From time spent & materials you have purchased it would have been more cost effective to use compression fittings.

 

[kay-jay]

or a plumber....

 

[kay-jay]

p.s if thats your solder in the background of the second picture it looks like electrical solder! too thin and designed for soldering irons not blowtorches. check your using the right stuff

 

[Radioman]

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

 

[Radioman]

http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73563

Read this link

 

[juntjoo]

From time spent & materials you have purchased it would have been more cost effective to use compression fittings.

I agree, and seriously now am considering it but the whole purpose of this was to learn and I'll be very disheartened to have to end up quitting and am afraid of the message I'll be sending myself 'youre too inept to solder, even tho billions of people could do this'. I'd say at least a billion people of this earth could solder better than I have.

 

[juntjoo]

http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=73563

Read this link

Thanks, I'll keep reading

This is the solder I'm using.

It's lead free as I think all is lead free here in the states.

 

[juntjoo]

I'm in relatively warm climate. It's slightly windy. I'll check with benzomatic to see what this torch is suitable for. It's the mapp gas but I was sitting there holding the flame to every single part around the seam today so apparently something is missing

 

[juntjoo]

If I take it all apart, as I have now, should I absolutely get new pieces? Can I just heat em up and clean em off real well?

 

[kay-jay]

Hold the flame on one part. Apply solder to the opposite side of the pipe.

 

[kay-jay]

If I take it all apart, as I have now, should I absolutely get new pieces? Can I just heat em up and clean em off real well?

Sometimes if the fittings have been overheated it can hinder the solder from running.