Lead to copper joints

[Centralheatking]

I have read some posts about lead joints recently on UK PF

My system for lead to copper is -
1. Bell out the lead to accept eg 15 mm copper tube up to 25mm
2. Get a foot length of copper. Roller cut the end and tin it up with loads of solder on the end
3. Drive it into the lead pipe
4. Warm the lead up using the copper side mostly (blowlamp)
5. KItchen towel (paper) loads of flux and just wipe the joint

Works every time

centralheatking

 

[Bartdude]

Or you could use this.

[DLMURL="http://www.melimatic.com/lead_loc.htm"]lead_loc[/DLMURL]

 

[TGor]

Your procedure is fairly OK but you are best to wipe a brass ferrule (same o.d. as copper tube) and then join the copper to that ... due to possibility of corrosion via electropotential series. As long as you don't overheat the lead should be OK.

 

[ecowarm]

fine if not on hot or cold water

 

[aceplumber]

philmac make a universal transition coupling , they do variable sizes , i've used several in past specially when ground works team keep hitting lead pipes buried in ground , they work very well and are reliable

 

[johnmcginty]

Yeah same as plas 4 plasson for about 8 quid. How do you mean tin it before it goes in to the pipe exactly?

 

[mikegas]

Yeah same as plas 4 plasson for about 8 quid. How do you mean tin it before it goes in to the pipe exactly?

cant use on gas though can you?

 

[johnmcginty]

No cant use on gas , but they are great if its an emergency lead main ,just like a massive plastic compression fitting.

 

[Centralheatking]

Regarding my quick lead to copper connection
- tin up the copper pipe means dip the end to connect to lead in flux heat it up and apply loads of solder for about 1 1/2 inch or so it is solder covered at the end of the lead.

Then apply loads of flux to the copper pipe and then drive it into the belled out lead

Heat it up and wipe the end of the lead with paper towel covered in flux where it joins copper.

nice neat joint

centralheatking

 

[msw109]

Use Philmac Transition Couplings everytime when going from lead to copper. Find em on ebay in various sizes and are better than Plasson and cheaper than leadloc. Once you have tried them you will never use a Leadloc again!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[royston]

These philmacs do you have to shave the lead down to fit, as you sometimes need to with lead locks ? and do you need to use PTFE ? are they just push on and tighten ?

 

[msw109]

no they compress around the lead find the nearest diameter to your lead and simply tighten the thread around it, none of this LB nonsense with leadloc!! used them loads of times and never had a problem

 

[royston]

Might put a couple on van stock, sound good.

 

[msw109]

best place to find em

PHILMAC UNIVERSAL TRANSITION COUPLING 27-34MM TO 25MM on eBay (end time 11-Feb-11 22:06:08 GMT)

 

[Bernie2]

In my day wiping copper straight into lead would probably get you the sack! It was always with a brass copper to lead fitting. As said electrolysis, I have easily pulled out copper pipe jointed to lead with out a brass or gunmetal coupler with just hand force.

 

[Reg Man]

Water Regulations require that tubes and fittings made from different types of metals shall not be connected directly together except where galvanic action is unlikely or where effective measures are taken to prevent it. lead to copper should use brass in between.​

 

[bri.66]

I want to move the stopcock from the lead pipe coming out of the ground,can i use one of these Philmac's to join the pipes up and bury it back in the ground to come back up a couple of foot away?

 

[Reg Man]

Yes, no problem using philmac fittings.