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Author:
tubig (MO)
I have had a little experience soldering copper pipes to copper joints and for the most part have been successful. I attempted to solder a copper pipe to a copper shutoff valve and have not been able to achieve my goal. There is no water in the line (as it's been shutoff for more than a year) and the other end of the copper pipe is open.
It is my understanding that soldering a copper pipe to a shutoff valve is a bit lengthier due to the thickness of the valve and getting the valve casing hot enough. How do I know when the valve is hot enough? What is the trick to achieving a solid copper joint?
Plumbing Amateur
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Author:
redwood (CT)
The first trick is to have the valve in the open position. Second is to have a good torch (Hot). Third is when its hot enough the solder melts.
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Author:
plumb-bobII (VA)
May I add clean pipe and fittings, quality flux and solder.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Certainly although I was hoping it was unneccessary.
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Author:
e-plumber (NY)
How do I know when the valve is hot enough?
>When the solder begins to flow into the joint, on smaller sizes I usually heat one side of the joint with the torch, (the blue tip is the hottest part of the flame), and then feed the solder from the opposite side.
What is the trick to achieving a solid copper joint?
>Proper preparation is key; pipe & fittings cleaned very good, a small amount of flux but complete coverage of the soldered area, the right amount of heat and the right amount of solder, wipe the excess flux off when the joint is cooled.
Rule of thumb; 1/2" pipe = 1/2" of solder, 3/4" pipe = 3/4" of solder, (a little more can't hurt).
e-plumber
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Author:
jerco (MD)
Only heat the (brass?) valve, not the pipe. Also, place the tip of the blue flame at the furthest point where the copper slips into the valve, Whenever possible you should place the flame on the underside of the fitting and touch the solder to the top of the joint. You basically want to place the heat where you want the solder to go (the deepest part of the fitting) and touch the solder to the opposite side because (1) solder wants to go to the heat and (2) by the time the opposite side is ready to melt the solder the part you're heating is already hot enough to accept it.
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Author:
jjbex (IL)
Does your moniker mean water? My wife says tubig, she's Ilonga.
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