1st and second End feed, oppinions/ advise please.

[rabu]

hello. Can you please give your oppinions on my first and second end feed joints? like iv said befour im not a plumber, and even i know there far from perfect. Also does anyone have any tips on getting end feed joints to work well and look ok. Thanks., also im using a Bullfinch Firepower torch buring Propane and using La-co flux.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

bit too much solder used but not bad to be honest

a good tip is to apply the solder at the back of the fitting, ie the part of the fitting that will be against the wall or such

 

[Barry98]

also dont have your torch on max , its better to have a middle heat and warm slower that way it wont scorch and darken your fittings etc. also have a damp cloth so when youve finished you can wipe them down

 

[WHPES]

I presume it's just a practice piece.............. in a real situation you need to solder the pipe at either side of a fitting at the same time.

Too much solder. You need to apply enough so that it runs into the joint and you get a bead of solder visible (I mean just to say visible) around the edge of the fitting.

 

[kirkgas]

i think you may be using too much flux as well, as the solder seems to be quite high up the pipe, try to minimise the flux, heat the pipe for about 9 seconds or so, remove the heat then apply the solder at the back of the fitting, if the heat etc is right the solder will run round to the front and leave a nice neat thin line of solder all the way round, i always apply the solder to the back so i know it is ok there and seen at the front you know it is all the way round, when practicing you probably apply the solder at the front then worry it is ok at the back, so you reheat and add more!!
best advice is to keep practicing

 

[kingm1988]

No chance of that joint leaking though.....🙂

 

[justlead1]

Hi, Years ago Idea had a range of end feed fittings and i seem to remember they suggested the amount of solder used was approx the size of fitting.
Eg 3/4" fitting equals 3/4" of solder.

 

[Toddyplumb]

Bend the end of your solder into a zig zag each leg about 15mm long then you know exactly how much solder you have applied.
Have a look at a yorkshire fitting and see how much solder is in it , not a lot, they will have spent an enormous amount of time and money working out that amount of solder so dont worry

 

[turnpin]

what type of solder are you using leaded or lead free? lead free must be used on all potable water but you may find that it cools quicker and solidifies as soon as you take the heat away I think it may be good to practice with some practice joints with scrap copper and leaded solder untill you feel more confident and then practice with lead free untill you get the hang of it I have seen a lot worse than those you have shown remember practice makes perfect good luck🙂regards turnpin

 

[Bernie2]

Hmm!

It looks as though you have the basic idea, but I would be a bit worried as to whether the solder had penetrated to the bottom of the fittings socket and had not just stuck around the top. Try playing the flame more evenly on both the pipe and the fitting so both heat up together. Then try heating the pipe more than the fitting and see how the solder runs. Then try heating the fitting more than the pipe and see how it runs.

Try heating so that just a touch of solder runs like water into both the fitting and onto the pipe, without running inside the pipe. Blobs of solder near the top of the socket usually mean the joint has not been heated enough to allow it to run down the socket.

Get an integral solder ring fitting and look at how that solder finishes when used, then do yours the same.

Also try getting a plain shank brass fitting and soldering that into an end feed, both with the brass upwards and then downwards. It helps you get flame control practise as the two metals solder differently. Try soldering steel.

Its good fun.

 

[dick999]

try using 1/2" paint brush, brush off excess solder it will look neat.