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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Problem Soldering Copper Pipes
#19227697 - 12/04/13 04:46 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I've been trying to solder a 1/4" copper pipe into the side of a 2" copper pipe. I can get the solder to stick to the 1/4" but not the 2". I think I need a new torch because I just have a little butane torch.
Is the solder not sticking because I need a propane torch?
Should I wrap a piece of solder around the 1/4" pipe where it connects to the 2" pipe, or should I just get it hot and touch the solder to the joint?
Got any other tips
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Corporal Kielbasa


Registered: 05/29/04
Posts: 17,235
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: Lophosaurus]
#19227746 - 12/04/13 05:00 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Did you clean and prep the surface good and use flux?
Are you getting it too hot? If so it won't suck in to the joint and will drip off.
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iateshaggy
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how big is your torch? pics please. also, what type of flux are you using?
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magicbroncoride
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: iateshaggy]
#19228066 - 12/04/13 06:21 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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2 inch pipe takes some heat. Did you rough up the surface and flux it?
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r00tuuu123
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: Lophosaurus]
#19228328 - 12/04/13 07:22 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Lemme get this straight You wanna atatch a 1/4"into the side of A 2" pipe? why not just use a t saddle youl have the job done in like 10 minutes.
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: r00tuuu123]
#19229044 - 12/04/13 09:35 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Its for a still so I can't use a T fitting. I am using flux, not sure of the brand but its kind of like a gel. I am filing it and roughing it up. I don't think my torch is hot enough because when the solder melts it bonds to the 1/4" but won't bond to the 2". I'll get more info on the torch tomorrow. Its a 8", butane hobby torch.
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r00tuuu123
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: Lophosaurus]
#19229108 - 12/04/13 09:48 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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If your solder won't stick you could try brazing it. or just go buy a plumbing torch .
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Gorlax



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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: r00tuuu123]
#19229113 - 12/04/13 09:50 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Sounds impossible. lol. Soldering is only meant to like seal the deal not straight weld shit together.
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MightyWhite

Registered: 08/27/08
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: Lophosaurus]
#19231510 - 12/05/13 02:32 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Yeah that butane torch won't work. Go to Home Depot or Menards and get a propane or Mapp gas torch. Maybe cost around $20. And heat above the joint so it pulls the solder in real nice.
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: MightyWhite]
#19233050 - 12/05/13 05:56 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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I think the problem was a combination of cheap torch and cheap flux. The last time I tried it I got the solder to stick in a couple sout by adding a 1/4 inch of flux, boiling it, then adding more flux to solder. Its not a great joint and I'll probably have to redo it with a better torch soon. For now I just put some Aquarium silicone over the solder to make it water tight and I'm going to see how long it lasts. Thanks for all the suggestions
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koraks
Registered: 06/02/03
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: Gorlax]
#19235193 - 12/06/13 05:01 AM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Gorlax said: Sounds impossible. lol. Soldering is only meant to like seal the deal not straight weld shit together.
Not true. It won't be as strong as a weld, but a properly soft-soldered joint will be strong and last for ages. If you use hard solder, the result actually comes really close to the strength of a welded joint.
@OP: technique sounds to be the problem, perhaps exacerbated by a not sufficiently powerful torch. Since the 2" pipe will have a lot more mass than the 1/4" one, you'll have to work the 2" pipe with the torch more than the 1/4". If your torch isn't powerful enough, you obviously won't get the 2" hot enough, while you might actually be heating the 1/4" too far. Soldering takes some skill.
Oh yeah, obviously, the fit needs to be perfect, leaving no gaps between the pieces you're trying to solder. But I assume you took care of that...
A photo of what you're trying to weld could shed some light on your problem.
Edited by koraks (12/06/13 05:03 AM)
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iateshaggy
i haxor 360s



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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: koraks]
#19237926 - 12/06/13 06:43 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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you dont need much flux. i use a brand called "no-korode". even the thinnest layers possible is enough. with skills like mine, u can put it on, wipe it off, and that is still enough. personally though, i would use silver solder (brazing) for a joint like that.
-------------------- You are a filipina sex goddess who wants to fuck me until I fall asleep, so then you can tickle my balls and see if the legend of my diamond filled nutsuck is true. I am a white man from costa rica, who smells like lime jello.
I can flash/jtag/repair 360's, pm for details.
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Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: iateshaggy]
#19241271 - 12/07/13 02:37 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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Well my solder joint didn't hold together for very long. It broke today when I put a little pressure on it so i went to the store and picked up a mans torch and better flux. I tried it with the new torch and it worked great. Its actually a lot stronger than I thought it would be. Thanks again for all the advice.
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naum


Registered: 10/09/07
Posts: 4,069
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Re: Problem Soldering Copper Pipes [Re: Lophosaurus]
#19250038 - 12/09/13 01:01 PM (10 years, 1 month ago) |
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It's your torch most likely. You simply aren't getting the 2" hot enough for flow. You can get buy with one of those Bernzomatic torches which sit on the propane bottle--$15 USD new or so. You should heat on the 2" pipe first and then apply the solder to the cleaned and fluxed joint. It should flow easily.
You also need to make your joint fairly tight fitting if you aren't using a T. Ts of that size are fairly expensive so I don't blame you. But you'll need to drill hole in the copper and then use a file to widen the hole to fit the 1/4" pipe in so you have a tight joint which will seal well with solder. Certain solders like StayBrite #8 will fill bigger gaps, but they are fairly expensive.
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