soldering pipes

[Surfjayce]

Ok so iv just had my first go at soldering a joint with what I can only describe as poor results, iv watched many vids on how to do this but my effort turned out somewhat different, I cleaned the inserted end of the pipe and the inside of the elbow to which the pipe was going, applied flux to both the pipe and inside the fitting, proceeded to heat the joint at the right part (thick part of the elbow where the pipe is inserted) and yes I managed to get the solder in but the entire fitting has a blackness to it and all around is quite discoloured and the open end of the elbow had yellow flame licking out of it, non of this looks like any of the vids iv seen. I'm using a Campingaz THP3000 burner and Wickes solder and flux, is it something to do with heat? am I too hot or not hot enough? does the burner need to be on full or low? or am I just being a fairy and being to careful?

I know I'm asking a lot of you guys to decipher my problem but I just don't know what I'm doing wrong, all the vids show you how to do it correctly but non tell you what to do when you make a pigs ear of it lol any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[wheeto]

End feed fittings? Sounds like you've overcooked it. Any chance of posting pics or, even better, a vid?

 

[Surfjayce]

got no way of putting pics up, iv just had another go with even worse results this time the flux didnt even take the solder, the simple task of soldering pipes and i fail lol

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

soundsl ike to hot a flame

turn it down and hit the fitting with the top of the inner blue flue

then apply the solder and cool it down

 

[REDSAW]

electrics is easier.lol.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Dont use wickes flux, use laco.

 

[turnpin]

Blackness of fittings would seem to indicate too much heat turn the flame down correct me if I am wrong but from your post it seems you have pipe in one end of your fitting and nothing in the other this would make it hard for a beginner to solder you need pipe in both ends you need to move the flame gently back and forth to spread the heat dont be disheartened as practice makes perfect good luck🙂regards turnpin

 

[franz]

a lot of people think you have to have the torch on full bast.
by turning it down to a gentle flame you wont even need a mat when it comes to jointing close to a wall.
it may take 30 seconds longer , but no fear of roasting custards wall.
practice is the secret

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

yeh people think it will solder quicker if heat is higher but the heat is to hot and starts to cook the fitting

 

[Surfjayce]

Cheers for teh replies guys, i think im gonna go buy me a few more lengths and some end feeds and get a lil practice, iv had another couple of goes and seem to be getting it slowly, i think i was being too paranoid about not getting it hot enough and therefore giving it massive overkill, and one of you guys said dont use wickes flux?? any reason why as i already have it?

 

[franz]

use the stuff you have to practice. laco is better quality. you get what you pay for.

 

[dontknowitall]

I was taught that the blow torch should sound like a boiling kettle as opposed to a roaring flame.

 

[WHPES]

Funny this subject came up, but one day I found that I had left my flux pot (Fry's Fluxite) in the workshop and picked up a pot of the Wickes flux as I was in there for something else. I had real trouble with getting the solder to run into the end feed fittings with it.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Funny this subject came up, but one day I found that I had left my flux pot (Fry's Fluxite) in the workshop and picked up a pot of the Wickes flux as I was in there for something else. I had real trouble with getting the solder to run into the end feed fittings with it.

Frys Fluxite, my prefferd choice for new copper installations, quality stuff.

 

[Blackcatgas]

Cheers for teh replies guys, i think im gonna go buy me a few more lengths and some end feeds and get a lil practice, iv had another couple of goes and seem to be getting it slowly, i think i was being too paranoid about not getting it hot enough and therefore giving it massive overkill, and one of you guys said dont use wickes flux?? any reason why as i already have it?

Put the wickes flux in the bin, then buy a small pot of laco for £3, then press the thanks icon on the bottom left hand corner of this post.

 

[stevetheplumber]

I was taught to watch the flux once it dissapears its hot enough, keep the flame moving and you only need to see the solder run in dont overfill till it runs every where
i actually think laco is to good it tends to run everywhere i use the yellow pots which seem ok buT can causre fittings to jam sometimes which laco doesnt

 

[Gray0689]

Powerflow can't go wrong

 

[Avatar]

its easy to put to much flux on when you start out - less is more in those terms . . .

 

[HoodedClaw]

I used to coat everything in flux, in/out/solder... learnt you only need a brush swipe on the pipe and screw the fitting in to spread it, wipe excess off once they are together!

Black is where you left the lamp in one place and got that to hot - you need to heat both pipe and fitting evenly or the solder will only stick to the fitting. Then for a sneaky clean finish, while its still hot - give a little wipe over with the flux, cleans the joint up lovely. Just make sure you rag it off again or it will go green!

 

[tiling spread]

Frys Flux and lead free solder good tourch and wirewool
clean fittings and pipe with wirewool soo it shines (i think)
use a clean flux brush or finger.
straddel&rub the pipe/fitting with flux
fit the joint in place rub off left over flux off the out side of the joint with a dampish cloth.
just under full power on the torch start too heat the elbow from the back of the fitting (if you can)
till you just start too see a greenish fame then start too apply the solder rub the tip of the solder over the join youll see it flow bee shore it runs round the joint.
wait say 20/30secs then run the rag over the join as there may be still fiux on the fitting.
sorted then job done

 

[kay-jay]

I was taught that the blow torch should sound like a boiling kettle as opposed to a roaring flame.

i agree! torch should whistle like an old stovetop kettle coming to the boil. if it sounds like an afterburner its too effing hot.


KJ

 

[WHPES]

Don't forget to scour inside of the fitting. Green kitchen scouring pads are great for the pipe and if you are only doing a handful of jobs you can wrap a bit round a pencil to go inside the fittings. If you are doing a lot, buy a wire fitting brush for the purpose.

Frys Fluxite easiest for beginner. Use a flux brush not your finger (unless you want contact dermatitis).

Do not be tempted to cool down the fitting prematurely as you can stress the solder which causes cracking of the joint.