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Most electrical solder contains lead and that is not allowed for plumbing connections. Modern plumbing solder does not contain lead. 2. The flux in electrical solder is rosin and that isn't as aggressive as the flux used in plumber's solder.

Brush joints thoroughly before fluxing

Oils, oxidation and other impurities on the outside of pipes and inside of fittings prevent solder from sticking. To clean them, you can use just about anything that's abrasive, including sandpaper and emery cloth.

Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines. In this story we'll show you how to solder copper quickly and easily.

Flux prevents the copper from oxidizing as you heat the copper with the torch. ... You can solder without flux, but it is really difficult! Flux is applied to both the pipe and the fitting with a handy miniature paint brush. You do not need massive amounts to be effective.

Electrical solder is generally hollow, with a core made of a flux intended to solder copper wires. This flux is not made for copper water pipes. You will want to use a separate paste flux especially made for sweating copper water pipe (and a small brush to apply it). Some electrical solders contain an amount of lead.

Acid core solders are most often used in plumbing applications to join metal pipes or sheet metal. Rosin core solder is also fabricated with a hollow core inside the solder wire, but the flux used is a milder variety made of rosin, which is a solid form of resin derived from conifers such as pine.

Yes, Vaseline works just as well as commercial flux, and you can even buy a generic brand. Petroleum jelly is primarily made from waxes and mineral oils so that it won't corrode your components. Plus, it cleans away the gunk and eliminates metal oxides that could compromise your bond.Mar 3, 2021

• The best solder to use for tinning stranded copper wire is electrical-grade rosin-core solder. This is an acid-free solder that contains a flux in the core of the solder. Never use solder that contains acid, which can damage the wire or its insulation.

• Traditionally, lead alloys have been used for soldering copper, but these have fallen from favor in recent years due to lead poisoning concerns. Today, copper water pipes are soldered with lead-free flux and silver alloys. Lead alloys are still used for soldering wires, components on circuit boards and some other copper-joining applications.

• Lead free solder is best for copper pipes carrying drinking water. It will be free of elements you don't want entering your drinking water. However it will require a higher melting point than a 50/50 solder.

Get perfect, leak-free plumbing joints every time.

Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines. In this story we'll show you how to solder copper quickly and easily.

Lead-free plumbing solders are required for use on pipes carrying drinking water, also known as potable water lines. Leaded solders are available for applications that will not come into contact with potable water, such as sheet metal repair or copper drain lines.

the solder is hot enough, but the copper is not hot enough. Heat the copper more before applying the solder. The join is not clean enough. If you're using a good flux, then the copper isn't clean enough.

should be cleaned away before the part reaches the assembly point. If not removed, such materials may inhibit proper capillary attraction during heating and/or prevent the flux itself from acting directly on the metals being joined.

• Solder wires usually have a core inside the wire containing flux. Flux is designed to improve electrical contact and mechanical strength in solder joints. There are mainly two types of flux cores. Acid core and rosin core. Acid core is used for plumbing and rosin core is used for electronics. So use rosin core.

It is possible to connect a copper pipe without soldering. Copper has found a home in many types of piping systems, from hot and cold potable water to fire protection systems. ... The good news is that soldering is not the only method available to make copper pipe connections.29 янв. 2019 г.

Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines.

Sure — if the iron is large enough to heat the piece of copper to the proper temperature (copper is an excellent conductor of heat, so it may take a larger heat source than a soldering iron), and you have good solder with the proper flux, and some skill.

Copper was the plumbing pipe of choice from the 1950s until 2000 and was widely used both in new construction and to replace the galvanized steel water supply pipes that had been the standard into the 1950s. But copper's use has gradually faded, due to the introduction of PEX plumbing tubing.28 июл. 2021 г.

One, using much more than needed will basically drown your joint making it hard to heat to the right temperature, two, flux needs to be removed before a part is returned to service so every bit used that is more than needed makes for more clean up.

A butane torch creates a flame that can reach a maximum temperature of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures—coupled with butane's long flames, which can reach up to 6 inches long—make these torches capable of melting and soldering metals like copper and silver.12 апр. 2021 г.

Grab a piece of white bread and shove it down as far as you can inside the pipe. The bread will stop the leak while you solder the fitting and will then (eventually) dissolve inside the pipe.

Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines.

Sure — if the iron is large enough to heat the piece of copper to the proper temperature (copper is an excellent conductor of heat, so it may take a larger heat source than a soldering iron), and you have good solder with the proper flux, and some skill.

Can You Use Vaseline as Flux? Yes, Vaseline works just as well as commercial flux, and you can even buy a generic brand. Petroleum jelly is primarily made from waxes and mineral oils so that it won't corrode your components. Plus, it cleans away the gunk and eliminates metal oxides that could compromise your bond.3 mrt. 2021

The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. Oxides are formed when metal is exposed to air and may prevent the formation of good solder joints.

• The best solder to use for tinning stranded copper wire is electrical-grade rosin-core solder. This is an acid-free solder that contains a flux in the core of the solder. Never use solder that contains acid, which can damage the wire or its insulation.

• The propane torch is the primary tool used to solder copper fittings (soldering copper pipe is also referred to as "sweating copper pipe"). Shown here is a typical torch that has just been lit with the pictured flint torch lighter (using this type of inexpensive lighter is safer and easier than using a match or butane lighter).

• How to solder copper pipe in 3 steps- Take your time and start with a small flame, just large enough to go most of the way around the pipe. As the pipe heats up, touch the end of the solder to the joint at ninety degrees from the source of the flame. Touch it there every second or so till it runs into the joint.

• Galvanic corrosion - see GALVANIC SCALE&METAL CORROSION
• Scouring of the pipe interior by unusually high velocity water flow through the system.
• Sand,silt,or other abrasive contaminants in the water supply (you will probably detect these by clogged strainers at your faucets or clogged shower heads),

Don't try to solder pipes with water in them. ... Soldering a joint in pipes that contain even tiny amounts of water is nearly impossible. Most of the heat from the torch goes into turning the water to steam, so the copper won't get hot enough to melt the solder. Stop the trickle of water with a pipe plug.

• The largest copper pipe fitting measures 40 cm (15.7 in) high and 17 cm (6.6 in) wide. The fitting was made by RJW engineering in Stourbridge , West Midlands, UK and completed on 28 March 2006.

• There are two common types of copper pipe: Rigid copper, which comes in three thicknesses. Type M is the thinnest but is strong enough for most homes. Types L and Type K are thicker and used in outdoor and drain applications. To cut rigid copper, you’ll need a wheel cutter, tube cutter, or a hacksaw.

• Copper pipes and fittings are usually made of two basic types of copper: Soft copper: Tubes or pipes made of soft or ductile copper can be easily bent to travel around obstacles in the path of the tubing. Rigid copper: Rigid copper is widely popular for water pipelines.

• Copper pipes are sized by their nominal diameters, one-eighth inch less than the outside diameter. Tube diameters start from 3/8" and go up to 2", in 1/8" increments.